First Black Military Pilot of the World: Ottoman Lieutenant Ahmet Ali Bey 1883 – 1969

Halim Gençoğlu

doi:10.11648/j.ijes.20210501.11

Abstract

A forgotten prominent figure, Ahmet Ali Çelikten was the first black military pilot in world history. Of Nigerian origin, Ahmet Ali grew up in the Ottoman society and had the opportunity like any Ottoman Turkish citizen to study in the Ottoman naval force in 1903. He fought in the Italian-Turkish war with his South African coreligionists in Libya in 1911 and later against the allies in WW1 as the first black military pilot in the World. The Ottoman Empire was the last Islamic and multi-cultural empire in world history. Skin colour did not affect individuals' social standing or opportunities in the Ottoman society. The Ottoman Empire managed to rule several nations, even those with religious minorities and provide them equal rights. This article aims to highlight the events and experiences in the life of Pilot Ahmet Ali in the Ottoman territory. To achive this, Ottoman archival sources and otantique Turkish journals were used during the research. In addition, comparative method was used throughout the study by looking at the social life in the Ottoman Empire and in the Western world in the light of archival documents. In conclusion, this understanding and living conditions enabled Ahmet Ali to be the first black pilot in the world history. At a difficult time in the history of the Ottoman Empire, during the genesis of modern Turkey, Ahmet Ali Bey had sincerely contributed to establishment of a Turkish air force in the Republic of Turkey.

Highlights

This article aims to reveal the life of an interesting historical figure regarding the first black pilot in the world, Ahmet Ali Bey, and his activities in the last century of the Ottoman Empire
As a Turkish citizen, Ahmet Ali Bey was lucky enough to study in Turkey [1]
Ottoman pilot and senior lieutenant Ahmet Ali Bey was born in Izmir in 1883 of African parents

Summary

Introduction

This article aims to reveal the life of an interesting historical figure regarding the first black pilot in the world, Ahmet Ali Bey, and his activities in the last century of the Ottoman Empire. The Constitution identified people in terms of their religious identity They could either be Muslim or Zimmi. The Zimmi people included non-Muslims like the Armenians, Jews or Greeks paid different tax from Muslims citizens and were exempted from military service, which was compulsory for all Muslim citizens. These non-Muslim groups might be considered a minority in the Ottoman Empire. According to Ottoman law, an Afro-Turk, Kurd or Oguz Turk was treated in the Ottoman State This is how the Afro-Turk, Ahmet Ali Celikten, found an opportunity to become the first black pilot in the World. As a Turkish citizen, Ahmet Ali Bey was lucky enough to study in Turkey [1]

Pilot Ahmet Ali Bey’s Origins

Ahmet Ali Bey’s Introduction to Aviation

His Family

Conclusion