A Wings Pinning Ceremony was held for the first graduates of our university’s Department of Flight Training. During the ceremony, 23 pilot candidates experienced the excitement of graduation as they were pinned with their wings.
The Flight Training Department Wings Pinning Ceremony was attended by our President of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın; our Rector, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Hakkı Aydın; our Vice Rector, Prof. Dr. Ragıp Kutay Karaca; our Secretary General, Sebahattin Kutlu; faculty members; representatives from FENIX Aviation Flight School; students’ families; and guests. The graduates of the Department of Flight Training, which admitted its first students in the 2021-2022 academic year, received their wings during the program held right after the university’s general graduation ceremony.
It was stated that students received theoretical and practical training at international standards within the scope of the training conducted under the coordination of the Approved Training Organisation (ATO) operating within our university. Supported by professional flight training alongside academic education, the program preparing pilot candidates for the civil aviation sector was highlighted. It was also noted that the department, which hosts students from various countries alongside Turkey, aims both to bring qualified pilots into Turkish civil aviation and to become a global hub for aviation training.
‘YOU CARRY A TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY’
Speaking at the ceremony, the President of our Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın, said: “It is often said, ‘You are alone with God in the sky.’ In truth, we are always alone with God; the Almighty is everywhere. However, when it comes to the sky, one feels this differently. You will be in the sky constantly, and therefore, you carry a tremendous responsibility. Today, we witness many aviation incidents worldwide. In harsh weather conditions and critical moments, the lives of hundreds of people are saved through the correct decisions of pilots. Not only the passengers on board, but—God forbid—the lives of people on the ground are also protected in a potential accident. For this reason, the responsibility on your shoulders is immense.”
‘THIS IS NOT JUST A GRADUATION, BUT THE BEGINNING OF A VERY SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY’
Our Rector, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Hakkı Aydın, stated: “As part of our students’ graduation events, we are holding a distinct ceremony today that carries profound meaning. We are all aware of the privilege and value of this ceremony. This is because it does not merely symbolize a graduation, but rather the beginning of a very special responsibility. Aviation is a profession that requires making the right decision at every single second of life and executing that decision flawlessly. Therefore, the wings you receive today bestow upon you a great authority and, at the same time, a great responsibility. It is crucial that you remain aware of this privilege and responsibility.”
’23 OF OUR PILOTS ARE GRADUATING’
Also speaking during the program, our Vice Rector, Prof. Dr. Ragıp Kutay Karaca, emphasized that the Department of Flight Training is a prestigious department, adding: “Aviation is a field that will never become obsolete; it will continuously evolve. Turkey possesses a globally recognized, major brand like Turkish Airlines. We are a world-renowned country in aviation. As Istanbul Aydın University, we wish to carry forward Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s vision that ‘The future is in the skies.’ We set out on this path four years ago. It was a very challenging process because there is no flexibility or compromise in aviation. Everything in aviation begins and ends with safety. Therefore, you must display a strong character. Istanbul Aydın University has demonstrated the character required to provide this education. Today, we are immensely proud and honored as we bid farewell to our first 23 pilots. God willing, we will fly together with them in the skies. This will be a distinct honor for us.”
‘WE PROVIDE 220 HOURS OF FLIGHT TRAINING’
Stating that they contribute to the development of aviation in Turkey not only through the Flight Training Department but also through the departments of Civil Aviation Cabin Services, Aircraft Maintenance Technical Services, Aircraft and Aerospace Engineering, and Aviation Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Prof. Dr. Karaca said:
“I hope that, as Istanbul Aydın University, we will hold an important place in Turkish aviation in the future. While graduating our students as pilots, we provide 750 hours of theoretical training and 220 hours of flight training. Successfully completing these two stages is vital. The subsequent process depends slightly on the student’s own competency, which is true for all airlines. The education we offer covers all international aviation norms. Consequently, our graduates possess the qualifications to work not only for Turkish Airlines but for all international airlines. In this context, we hold meetings and discussions with many aviation companies. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is a key stakeholder for us because they set the standards in the sector, and we work in cooperation with them. Furthermore, thanks to our graduate tracking system, we will closely follow our pilots’ career paths just as we do with our other alumni. The future will always come from the skies. Therefore, we must keep working.”
