Drawing attention with its university-specific first airpark in Turkey, Konya Chamber of Commerce (KTO) Karatay University Pilotage Department aims to meet the need for qualified pilots in our country and provides a chance for its students to study also in another department other than pilotage. KTO Karatay University Pilotage Department Education Manager Süleyman Doğan says that following pandemics the aviation industry needs trained pilots and adds that they aim to hinder possible accidents that may happen with EASA certificated parachuted training planes that have been used for the first time in Turkey.
Growing steadily across the globe and having an essential position in terms of the world economy, airline transport is growing much more faster, especially recently in our country, compared to its development in the world. Particularly the strategic position and economic power of the airspace in our country located in between Asia and Europe gain importance every single day. Training pilots in line with international standards with its influential and experienced academic staff and achieving great success with the aviation training it provides, KTO Karatay University adds the first university-specific airpark in Turkey to its success.
Emphasizing the lack of equipped and experienced pilots in the aviation sector, KTO Karatay University Pilotage Department Education Manager Süleyman Doğan says, “For private airline companies have increased as a result of the developments occurred in the international aviation industry, the need for qualified personnel in the air transport has occurred. These improvements in the aviation industry heighten the need for qualified pilots in international standards. In this context, last year we opened the Pilotage Department within the School of Applied Sciences. That the best Pilotage Department in Turkey is given within the KTO Karatay University and that we provide undergraduate study at the international level is important both in terms of our students and Turkey. After the pandemic, only well-equipped pilots will get hired, as KTO Karatay University we train our pilot candidates fully equipped.”
The Only University That Has its Own Glider, Plane, and Runway: KTO Karatay University
Mentioning the privileges of the Pilotage Department within the KTO Karatay University, Pilotage Department Education Manager Süleyman Doğan says, “Having the most experienced flight and maintenance staff in Turkey, KTO Karatay University is vested with the title of the only university that has its own glider and air fleet, its own runway, and maintenance center. That world-renowned pilots have been trained in Konya makes us really proud” and notes that the first EASA certificated parachuted training planes of Turkey belong to KTO Karatay University. Süleyman Doğan: “Applied trainings in the pilotage department start with glider flights only in KTO Karatay University, in Turkey. A pilot candidate that has a glider license (SPL) uses a glider that requires a higher level of competence compared to a plane and improves their control skills. They perfect how to approach to runway from which altitude and their quick and excellent decision-making skills in emergency landings with glider training. Our students learn how to save a plane that approaches or enters into an abnormal situation by using controls and coordinated usage. We aim to hinder possible accidents that might happen thanks to parachute training planes that will be used in Turkey for the first time.”
A chance for a second diploma
KTO Karatay University Pilotage Department students can graduate from the university with a dual degree. In case the students meet the conditions determined by YÖK, they are entitled to register for a second undergraduate program. The most important advantage of having a second diploma besides a pilotage diploma is that they will be able to overcome their grievance if they face any kind of health problems in their education life. KTO Karatay University Pilotage Department continues its training in the Air Park where 1000x30 m grass runway, 1500x30 m asphalt runway, 1500x15m taxiway, aircraft maintenance hangar are available.
On 14-18 October 2021, in YKS Second Additional Placement Quota, pilot candidates have the opportunity of getting into KTO Karatay University Pilotage Department and making their dreams of becoming a pilot come true.