Fadiko Gogitidze

Fadiko Gogitidze (Georgian: ფადიკო გოგიტიძე; 1916 - 20 October 1940) was a pilot from Adjara, who was the first woman from the region to become a pilot. She died during a test flight in 1940. A statue was later unveiled in her honour and a street in her birthplace was renamed in her honour.

Sculpture dedicated to Gogitidze

Biography

Fadiko Gogitidze was born in Kobuleti Municipality in 1916.^[1] The Tbilisi Flight School opened in 1934 and Gogitidze graduated from there in 1936,^[2] and began working as an instructor at the Batumi Aeroclub.^[3] She was the first woman from Adjara to become a pilot, overcoming sexism to enrol for training and to graduate.^[2] Her first flight was on 18 August 1936.^[4]

Fadiko Gogitidze died while on undertaking a test flight in Batumi on 20 October 1940.^[3] She had a three month old son.^[4]

Legacy

A sculpture dedicated to Gogitidze was unveiled at the entrance to Batumi International Airport.^[1] The sculpture is an example of Soviet art, depicting a symbolic female pilot, with a small child at her feet.^[2] Popov Street in Kobuleti was renamed after her in 2014.^[5]