HİSTORY
Air Force
Academy was first founded as “Air School” in order to develop the Turkish
Military Aviation in Yeşilköy, July 3,1912 than moved to Eskişehir in 1926. As a
result of developments in aviation, Air School in Eskişehir was transformed into
the Air Force Academy on October 1, 1951 under the command of Staff Colonel
Gavsi UÇAGÖK.
The 56 Air Force 3rd Lieutenants graduated on August 30, 1953
were the first officers who were trained by the Air Force Academy exclusively.
Some of these officers have been sent to the United States of America. On the
same day the Air Force Academy received the standard from
The rapid improvements in aviation and space technologies demanded fundamental
changes in education and training of the Air Force Academy. For this purpose the
Academy was transported to İstanbul in order to use the resources and
instructors of the universities and War Academies. The facilities which were
constructed in Yeşilyurt İstanbul for the Air Military High School have been
converted into the Air Force Academy. In July 4, 1967 The Turkish Air Force
Academy has been transported to İstanbul.
On September 17, 1954, the Air Force Academy was transported to İzmir due to the
inadequacies in Eskişehir. In 1955 flight training was moved back to the period
after the two year education and the number of trainees were increased from 68
to 136.
1955 was the most populous year of the Academy with the 429
cadets recruited in that year. In the same year, a female cadet was recruited.
After 1960 Air Military High School became the main source of
Cadets for the Air Force Academy. Students from civilian high
On August 30, 1968 the Air Force Academy had its first graduates
in İstanbul. In 1969-1970 education period the duration of the training was
expanded from two years into three years and it was expanded into four years in
1974.
Until 1960 female cadets had been admitted to the Academy. In 1992 after 32
years once again they were admitted to the Academy and a total number of 134
female officers were graduated from the Academy from 1996 to present day.
Since 1992, 120 cadets of the friendly and allied countries have
also been trained in the Turkish Air Force Academy.
On May 17, 2000 the Air Force Academy Dean of the Faculty was established. The
foundation of the Air Force Academy Dean of the Faculty was a milestone in
support of the academic activities to be implemented in a modern and efficient
way.
Aeronautics and Space Technologies Institute was founded in 2001
for graduate studies. The institute serves as a higher education institute for
both Air Force and other service branches.
Air Force Academy covers an area of 4, 5 million m² with the indoor and
outdoor facilities at Yeşilyurt, Istanbul and flight and encampment facilities
at Yalova. With its modern facilities, experienced teaching staff and modern
views, the Air Force Academy is an outstanding education establishment. In
1955, the Turkish Air Force Academy (TUAFA) accepted female cadets for the first
time just as the other academies did. In 1960 this regulation was abolished. In
a five-year term 24 female cadets graduated as 3rd Lieutenants. 32 years later,
in 1992 the acceptance of female cadets to the TUAFA was reinstated. From 1996
till now 134 female cadets have graduated as 2nd Lieutenants and started their
duties on