Captain Pilot, Poet, Writer, Electronics Engineer
I was born on a rainy autumn evening in the early seventies, when the heat had begun to fade and the air was turning cool, in the quiet of a small Anatolian town.
I studied at Ankara Gazi Agricultural High School until the second year of middle school, finished my last year of middle school on Gökçeada, started high school at Yalova Vocational High School, and completed my high-school education at Kartal Technical High School, commuting daily from Yalova to Istanbul to the rhythm of the ferry’s engines. When the ferries didn’t run due to the lodos wind, I crossed the gulf by bus, a four-hour trip to make it to first period—strangely, I never missed a day.
In 1990, I was admitted to the Turkish Air Force Academy and graduated in 1994 with a B.Sc. in Electronics Engineering as a second lieutenant. In 1994, I began flight training at Çiğli Flight School in Izmir. After completing training on the SF-260, T-37, and T-38 aircraft in 1996, I graduated with honors as a pilot lieutenant. After completing Combat Readiness Training on F-5 aircraft in Konya in 1997, I finished F-16 flight training in Ankara and was assigned to the 152nd Squadron, 5th Main Jet Base in Merzifon as a pilot lieutenant. I took part in the activation of the SEAD and Akıncı squadrons.
In 2003, I was assigned to the 192nd Squadron “Tigers” at Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base. I served as Base Flight Safety Officer, Element Lead, and Training Officer. During my service, I received seven stripe badges and two Outstanding Service Awards as well as numerous commendations. I logged around 3,000 hours on the F-16. In 2010, I completed my service in the Air Force and moved to a civilian airline. I have served in various roles, including F-16 Instructor Pilot, Test Pilot, Flight Safety Officer, Element Lead, Training Officer, and CRM Instructor.
I began working as a captain pilot in 2014. Three of my books have received awards. I have four poetry books titled "LOVE, ISTANBUL, LIFE, BREATH". In December 2022, I was honored with the "BEST WEBMASTER" award by Medya Karga Team. On "May 20, 2023," I received the "GOLDEN AUTHOR" award; on "May 16, 2018," the "GOLDEN PEN"; and on "May 25, 2024," the "GOLDEN BOOK". I speak English well, know programming languages, and I am married with two children.
With love...
It was raining that afternoon. In the cooling loneliness of a small Anatolian town, I opened my eyes to a warm smile. I lived my childhood in Ankara—picking fruit from trees, playing on the grass, falling in the mud and smelling the earth, running through the streets with joy. From my parents, who began life with scarcity, I learned love of homeland, the value of sacrifice, patience, hard work, goodness, the importance of education, and how the power of love can overcome all problems. I learned that poverty is not a deficiency; I internalized the significance of state and nation, and what family truly means, in a genuine nuclear family.
I finished primary school at Atatürk Forest Farm Primary School, a botanical wonder where every shade of green paints the landscape. Above our school was a dormitory for girls. I learned that being an orphan is neither shameful nor weakness; I learned what parents mean, how much children need love, and how the state must value orphans and the elderly. The details I noticed in those early years later inspired me. I never forgot the stairs I climbed, or the train tracks I crossed. That’s why I often visit the places I lived. I learned the importance of greenery and homeland at school; I learned to distinguish right from wrong from my teacher.
I finished middle school at Gazi Agricultural High School. In the modest and orderly district of Gazi, Ankara, I often hitchhiked to school from what was then called the State Production Farm. In the 1980s, before private schools and school shuttles became common, despite political turmoil, everyone hitchhiked to school and I never heard of or experienced anything negative. People were truly helpful and warm. There was respect, love, and grace. I learned the value of friendship from my surroundings.
I hope this portal I have prepared will help us read a little more poetry. I wish you pleasant reading already. I am sure there is a poem here for you, too.
Spend more time with your loved ones; don’t hurt them. Please say kind words to your loved ones—your mother, father, and children. Read them beautiful poems. Share joyful moments with the people you love; in the end, the lines that remain in your life are only these happy ones. Life is a simple, sincere, heartfelt smile. One learns what it means to be human while living.
It is hard to be human; first, one must become human.
With love.