Origin of the Term 'Aviator'

Phu Khen (pronounced fŏ·kēn´), 1169 - ? is considered by some to be the most under-recognized military tactician in history. Many have never heard of his contributions to modern military warfare. This page is the only web presence of a secret society (whose name shall not be uttered) formed almost a thousand years ago whose mission is to bring honor to the name of Phu Khen, creator of the Aviators!

A Khen was a subordinate to a Khan in the military structure of the Mongol hordes. Khan is Turkish for lord, prince, sultan, leader. Most know of the great Genghis Khan, but little has been written of those who served in his chain of command.

Khen is also of Turkish origin, although there is not a word in English that adequately conveys the meaning. Roughly translated, it means "One who will do the impossible while appearing unprepared and complaining constantly." Phu Khen was one of ten Khens that headed the divisions of the Mongol forces serving under Genghis Khan. His abilities came to light during the Mongols' raid on the Turkistan city of Bohicaroo.

Bohicans were fierce warriors and the city was well fortified. It was protected by huge, thick walls and the hordes were at a military standoff with the Bohicans. The city was well stocked and with its internal fresh water source it would have been extremely difficult to wait them out. So, Genghis Khan assembled his Khens and ordered each of them to develop a plan for penetrating the defenses of Bohicaroo.

Operation Achieve Victory (AV), was born. Each of the ten Khens submitted their plan. After reviewing Operation AV plan versions one through seven and finding them unworkable or ridiculous, Genghis Khan was understandably upset.

It was with much trepidation that Phu Khen submitted his idea, which came to be known thereafter as Operation Achieve Victory, Plan Eight (AV8). Upon seeing AV8, Genghis was convinced this was the perfect plan and gave it his immediate approval. The plan was beautifully simple. Phu Khen would arm his hordes to the teeth, load them into catapults and hurl them over the wall. The losses were expected to be high, but hey, hordes were cheap. Those that survived the flight would engage the enemy in combat. Those that did not? Well, surely their flailing bodies would cause some damage.

The plan worked and the Bohicans were defeated. Only one of the Bohicans was left standing and became known as "The Last of The Bohicans." From that day on, whenever the Mongol fighters encountered an insurmountable enemy, Genghis Khan would give the order: "Send in some of the Phu Khen AV8'ers."

This is believed - though not necessarily by anyone outside our secret society - to be the true origin of the word "Aviator".

Phu Khen's AV8'ers were understandably an unruly mob, not likely to be sociably acceptable. Many were heavy drinkers and insomniacs. However, when nothing else would do, you could always count on an AV8'er. A Phu Khen Aviator. Denied, perhaps rightfully so, his place in history, Phu Khen has been, nonetheless, immortalized in prose.

You hear mystical references, often hushed whispers, of "those Phu Khen Aviators." Do not let these things bother you. As with any secret society, we go largely misunderstood, prohibited by our apathy from explaining ourselves.

You are expected to always live down to the reputation of the Phu Khen Aviator, a reputation cultivated for centuries, undaunted by scorn or ridicule, unhindered by progress. So drink up, be crude, sleep late, urinate in public and get the job done.

When others are offended, you can revel in the knowledge that (if a duly self-certified as a member of the secret society of AV8'ers) YOU too are a PHU KHEN AVIATOR!!