A Kazakh woman Bibikhan Turusbekova who has dreamed of working in aviation since her school years, now serves as a co-pilot on Mi-8 and Ka-32 emergency helicopters, El.kz reports citing the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan.
Bibikhan first considered becoming a pilot when she was in the 7th grade. After graduating from school, she enrolled at the Academy of Civil Aviation, where she graduated with honours. In 2021, she began working for the aviation service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
One of the reasons she chose this profession was her desire to travel and see different cities. Bibikhan still vividly remembers her first flight. According to her, every sortie brings new emotions, although the romantic appeal of aviation comes with an enormous degree of responsibility.
Helicopters operated by the Ministry of Emergency Situations are deployed in search and rescue operations, emergency response and the medical evacuation of patients by air ambulance. Flight crews are required to operate in challenging weather conditions, where the safety of people depends on the decisions they make.
“Every flight entails responsibility. On every mission, you are accountable not only for yourself but also for the passengers. Sometimes, weather conditions or the operational situation require decisions to be made promptly. At such moments, however, it is not emotions but knowledge and training that help you,” Bibikhan says.
Turusbekova continues to serve in the aviation unit of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. She says that the support of her loved ones helps her maintain her enthusiasm for the profession and pursue new goals.
