‘Air Campus’ initiative set to boost amateur aviation

ANKARA

Türkiye has launched a new initiative aimed at promoting sportive and amateur aviation across the country, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu has announced.

The initiative, dubbed “Air Campus,” is designed to develop both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles and alleviate congestion at the country’s airports.

“We will make Türkiye one of the centers of the world in amateur and sports aviation,” Uraloğlu declared during a press briefing.

He emphasized that the initiative would provide new opportunities for both recreational pilots and the broader civil aviation sector.

Uraloğlu highlighted Türkiye’s significant progress in aviation over the past 22 years, attributing these achievements to the strategic investments made.

“We have become one of the countries recognized among the world’s biggest players in civil aviation,” Uraloğlu stated. “Our airline companies have grown and strengthened, and to further nurture the next generation of aviation professionals, we have established the Turkish Civil Aviation Academy.”

The newly launched Air Campus application is set to transform amateur aviation in Türkiye. The initiative aims to create dedicated areas, including vertiports, where manned and unmanned aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and lands (VTOL) can operate.

The initiative also includes provisions for drone operations, with designated parking areas to be established within the air campuses.

These campuses will accommodate various aircraft, including fixed-wing planes weighing up to 5,700 kilograms, and allow pilots to conduct their flights without being hindered by the complexities of airport procedures.

The Air Campus program introduces regulatory changes aimed at simplifying operations for pilots. Uraloğlu noted that when an Air Campus application is approved, the airspace will be designated specifically for these campuses. Flights conducted within the defined space will not require the submission of a flight plan.

Uraloğlu also stipulated that operators must complete construction within three years of receiving their permits.