A jump from a Polikarpov Po-2 aeroplane at Moscow's Tushino Airfield on 17 March 1933 established Leyla Mammadbeyova as the second woman parachutist in the Soviet Union. As an aviator and military figure, she broke regional barriers, securing her place as the first female pilot of Transcaucasia, Southern Europe, and Southwest Asia during the early twentieth century.
Early Training and Aviation Milestones
Born in Baku in 1909, Mammadbeyova displayed early interest in artistic pursuits before pivoting to aeronautics. She initiated her formal aviation training at the Baku Airclub, completing her inaugural flight in 1931. Seeking advanced certification, she enrolled in a specialised aviators school in Moscow in 1932. Her technical proficiency quickly garnered attention, leading to her victory in a 1934 parachute jump competition that involved participants from across the South Caucasus nations.
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By 1941, Mammadbeyova attained the rank of Squadron Leader within the Soviet Army. Although her role as a mother of six children prevented her from flying combat missions during the Second World War, she remained active in defence efforts. When the Baku Airclub ceased operations due to wartime constraints, she established independent glider and parachutist courses. Through these initiatives, she provided instruction to approximately 4,000 paratroopers and hundreds of combat pilots, including two individuals who were later designated as Heroes of the Soviet Union.
Later Life and Professional Legacy
Mammadbeyova performed her final flight in 1949. Following her departure from the cockpit, she transitioned into administrative roles, serving as the vice-chair of the Baku branch of the DOSAAF until 1961. Her contributions to aviation were formally recognised through several state decorations, including the Order of the Badge of Honour in 1936, the Medal for Distinguished Labour in 1946, and the Medal for the Defence of the Caucasus. She died in Baku in 1989 and was interred at the II Alley of Honor.
Fast facts
- Born: 1909, Baku
- Died: 1989, Baku
- Primary Occupations: Military personnel, aircraft pilot
- 1933 Milestone: Second woman parachutist in the Soviet Union
- 1941 Rank: Squadron Leader
- Notable Award: Order of the Badge of Honour (1936)
- Resting Place: II Alley of Honor
Questions readers ask
Did Leyla Mammadbeyova fly during World War II?
She was not permitted to fly combat missions because she was raising children, but she trained hundreds of combat pilots and thousands of paratroopers.
Where was she trained as a pilot?
She received her initial training at the Baku Airclub and completed further studies at an aviators school in Moscow.
Achievements
- Worked as aircraft pilot and military personnel
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