Thread by @AshTheWiz

World Pilots Day

Do you know why World Pilots’ Day is celebrated on 26 April each year? Let’s take a look at who came up with the idea of celebrating the fascinating job of pilots and the history behind this day.
#WorldPilotsDay #WorldPilotsDay2022
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Turkey’s first pilot
OTD in 1912, a young Turkish pilot named Fesa Evrensev took his first flight. He was born in 1878 in Istanbul, Turkey. After graduating, he decided to pursue a military career and he joined the Military Academy to graduate as a Cavalry Lieutenant.
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Since his first day in the Academy, it was clear Fesa was destined to fly. He was the best student in the pilot class and passed the final exam with the highest evaluation. Shortly after, Fesa was appointed General Manager of the State Airlines Administration.
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It later evolved into what we now know as Turkish Airlines. Throughout his career, Fesa held different positions within the Turkish Aeronautical Association, making him one of the most prominent figures in the aviation world.
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The history behind World Pilots’ Day
Given the importance of Fesa Evrensev in the history of Turkish aviation, the Turkish Airlines Pilots’ Association was the first to establish the 26th of April as Pilots Day with an aim to commemorate Fesa’s first flight in 1912.
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An essential role in establishing this day as the world pilots’ day was played by the International Federation of Air Line Pilot’s Association (IFALPA). This association dates back to 1948 when a conference of pilots’ associations was held in London.
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The conference aimed at providing all pilots in the world with a formal means to interact with the newly established International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). As for now, 104 pilots associations have joined IFALPA, representing more than 100,000 pilots worldwide.
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It is estimated that there are between 1.5 and 2.3 million pilots in the world, which includes military and non commercial pilots as well.
In 2013, the IFALPA concluded it was high time they found a day to celebrate all these pilots.
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Therefore, they thought the 26th of April, a day that saw a prominent figure in aviation history taking to the sky for the first time, could be an appropriate solution. The following year, on 26th April 2014, World Pilots Day was celebrated for the first time.
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This year marks the 9th World Pilots’ Day.
And on this day, here's wishing all pilots of the world a wonderful day, with a special thanks to them for their dedication and professionalism.
Clear Skies and Happy Landings, Always...
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