ANJAN AMANOV. THE FIRST TURKMEN PILOT OF CIVIL AVIATION

A small settlement Karshi by the Caspian Sea is known not only for its healing springs. Here, at the beginning of last century, in the family of the ordinary fisherman was born and raised Anjan Amanov, the first Turkmen pilot of civil aviation. It should seem, his father was fisherman, close relatives, neighbors, friends – everyone devoted his life to sea, and he also was meant to choose a profession related to Caspian Sea. 

When in 1929 on completion of the boarding school he was sent to studies to Tashkent zooveterinary training college, the relatives made no doubts that after his return he will stay with them and near the sea. But in two years in a strange twist of fate, there, in Tashkent, he was transferred to the one-year course of civil aviation. Thus, young fellow opted for air, but not the waves.

At that time, the trained aviation personnel were very required for the young republic. In 1924 the first civilian aircraft began to perform scheduled flights in air of Turkmenistan, and air route between Chardzhou (Turkmenabat) and Khiva (Uzbekistan) gave a start to the formation of the civil aviation of Turkmenistan. In the early days the air enterprise operated the four-passenger aircrafts “Junkers” Ju-13, purchased in Germany, and Soviet-built K-4 airplanes. The cost of ticket for «Khiva - Chardzhou» flight was 80 rubles, and it was issued in Russian and Arabian languages. 

 The aviation growth rates were so dizzying that Anjan was sent to retrain and improve his knowledge from Tashkent course to the just opened (1930) Balashovskaya aviation school (Russia). Men at the age of 18 – 26 were admitted to the school, at the time Amanov was just over 20. Duration of the training of pilots was a year and a half. 

There came a day at last when on completion of studies in 1934 he was enlisted as a pilot in 166th Ashgabat aviagroup of special employment, where he worked till 1936. Trust to the professionalism of young specialist was so great that jus in one year he became a squadron commander on agitation and propaganda work, organized on initiative of the newspapers «Turkmenskaya Iskra» and «Sovet Turkmenistany». 

In pre-war years A. Amanov was sent as the pilot to the 22th transportation group in Chardzhou. Then, almost the end of the war in the capacity of the commander he handles the airplanes G-2, belonged to the Ashgabat aviagroup No 24. During the war G-2, mainly, operated in the Central Asia as a cargo airplane. Hard work, each flight – two – four thousand kilograms of cargo. Amanov performed a dime a thousand of such flights. Not it is impossible also to determine what was difficult for the pilot - one of the first to land the airplane on the dusty, bare space (the air strips were designated using the flags and cans) or to take off with the heavy-loaded G-2 at the risk of his life. 

The peaceful postwar life prepared for Amanov a new test for strength and adulthood. He was appointed the commander of flying squad of Krasnovodsk (today’s Turkmenbashy) airport, where he successfully worked till 1948. After the earthquake he was entrusted the position of the deputy chief of Ashgabat airport on flying service. all energy was directed to the reconstruction of infrastructure of airport and its subdivisions.

A little later the new airplane IL-14 became available for the aviators, which A. Amanov started to handle, being one of the experienced pilots. In 1959, going into retirement, A. Amanov didn’t leave the aviation. First he worked as the radar operator in Ashgabat airport, and then – the air traffic controller of the central dispatching service.

- My father was held in great respect and authority, - said Ata, a son of the first pilot. I always felt and experienced the authority of my father, as all my life till retirement I worked in the «Turkmenhowayollary» system. Earlier many people wondered unusual name of father – actually, he is Anna, but in the documents, he was registered under the affectionate variation of his name  - Anjan. Praise God, today my mother Kurbantach is alive, I have three sisters. We all are glad that in the honour of my father the former Petrozavodskaya street was renamed and not it is named «ANJAN AMANOW koçesi» (street named after Anjan Amanov).

Anjan Amanov. The first Turkmen pilot of civil aviation (turkmenistan.gov.tm)