First Adjarian woman pilot
Fadiko Gogitidze (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.
Biography.
Born in Kobuleti Municipality in 1916. Tbilisi Flight School opened in 1934 and in 1936 she graduated from it, and began working as an instructor at the Batumi Aeroclub. She was the first woman from Adjara to become a pilot, overcoming sexism to enrol and graduate. Her first flight was on 18 August 1936. She died while on undertaking a test flight in Batumi on 20 October 1940. She had a three month old son.
Legacy.
A sculpture dedicated to her was unveiled at the entrance to Batumi International Airport. The sculpture is an example of Soviet art, depicting a symbolic female pilot, with a small child at her feet. Popov Street in Kobuleti was renamed after her in 2014.