Born: 1939 (Starye Atagi, Chechnya)
Died: 2000
Biography:
Lyalya Andarbekovna Nasukhanova (Russian: Ляля Андарбековна Насуханова; 1939 – 2000) was a parachutist, aviator, flight instructor, and the first Chechen woman to become a pilot. Throughout her career, she won many flight competitions, completed over 100 parachute jumps, gained well over 2,500 flight hours on Yakovlev and MiG jets, and trained more than 200 novice pilots. After dedicating 23 years of her life to aviation, she entered politics before her death as a refugee during the First Chechen War.
Early life:
Nasukhanova was born in 1939 to a Chechen family in the rural village of Starye Atagi. In 1944, she and her entire family were designated as traitors because of their ethnicity and deported along with the rest of the Chechen and Ingush nations. Her family was exiled to the town of Taraz in the Kazakh SSR, where she spent most of her childhood and attended school next to an airfield that led to her developing a passion for aviation. Despite constant reminders that she belonged to a criminal nationality and being told by her family that aviation is not a woman’s job, she went on to pursue aviation after moving to Alma-Ata in 1955. There she was allowed to make parachute jumps but not fly aircraft at the local aeroclub. However, she was granted permission from the authorities to do so because they expected her to quit immediately. While a parachutist at the aeroclub, she had a meeting with decorated women pilots Valentina Grizodubova, Nina Rusakova, and Yevdokiya Bershanskaya, which further increased her desire to become an aircraft pilot.
Return from exile:
After the Chechen nation was granted the right of return in 1957, Nasukhanova returned to Chechnya and briefly lived in Grozny. She applied to join the Makhachkala aeroclub in Dagestan, where, after six months of training, the cadets got to fly aircraft. However, because of her official status as a former exile, she faced rejection numerous times from the aeroclub before she was eventually accepted with limitations on her activities. She lived with relatives in the city during her training and had to wake up at 3:00 AM to walk across the city to the airfield. Eventually, she made her first flight on a Yak-18.
Piloting career:
After completing her training at the Makhachkala aeroclub, Nasukhanova sought to continue her studies at an aviation technical school, but her family continued to express disapproval of her career choice. One year after being accepted into the Central Flight Technical School in Saransk, she entered the school and soon distinguished herself in aerobatics competitions. In one segment of a competition in Rostov-on-Don, she scored first place, outcompeting 26 male pilots. At the 1962 national championship in Moscow, she won first place in parachute jumping and third place in aerobatics.
Nasukhanova’s piloting career continued to flourish as she gained experience on Yakovlev and MiG jets. She became a flight instructor and trained over 200 novice pilots. Her expertise and skills in aviation were highly regarded, and she was recognized as a role model for women aspiring to pursue careers in male-dominated fields. Nasukhanova’s determination and perseverance broke barriers and challenged traditional gender norms, paving the way for future generations of female pilots.
Influencing society:
Nasukhanova’s achievements and success in the aviation industry had a significant impact on society, particularly in Chechnya. She shattered stereotypes and opened doors for other Chechen women to pursue careers in aviation. Her story inspired young girls and women to dream big and strive for their goals, regardless of societal expectations. Nasukhanova’s legacy not only influenced the field of aviation but also served as a symbol of empowerment and equality for women in Chechen society.
Political involvement and tragic death:
After dedicating 23 years of her life to aviation, Nasukhanova entered politics. However, her aspirations were cut short during the First Chechen War when she became a refugee. She tragically lost her life during this tumultuous period, leaving behind a legacy of courage, determination, and resilience.
Awards:
-First place in aerobatics competition segment in Rostov-on-Don (Year unknown)
-First place in parachute jumping at the 1962 national championship in Moscow
-Third place in aerobatics at the 1962 national championship in Moscow