Founded in 1983, Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics is the 11th faculty within Istanbul Technical University. Within its structure are the departments of aircraft engineering. It also houses space engineering plus climate science and meteorology engineering.
The Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics is located on the ITU Ayazağa Campus. Its history goes back to 1941. At that time “aircraft engineering” was founded as a sub-branch in the faculty of mechanical engineering. It became a faculty in 1983.
Let’s delve a little deeper into its historical roots. The Aircraft Engineering Department has a rich past. It was initially established in 1941. It began as a branch within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Its purpose was to train aircraft engineers. By 1944 it evolved into a full-fledged department within the same faculty. With the establishment of the Faculty of Aircraft and Space Sciences this department was integrated into the new faculty.
The Meteorology Engineering Department also has an interesting story. It was founded within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. This happened through a decision made by the ITU Senate in 1953. Progressing steadily, it began offering courses in 1955-56. It trained meteorology engineers. In 1971 it became part of the newly established Faculty of Basic Sciences. Later in 1982 it transitioned to become a department within the Faculty of Mines. Finally in the 1983-84 academic year it found its place within the Faculty of Aircraft and Space Sciences.
The Department of Space Sciences and Technology was established in 1983. It was founded concurrently with the faculty itself. This department began offering undergraduate education in the 1986-87 academic year.
The Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics aims to train engineers. It focuses on the maintenance and repair of military and civilian aircraft. It also aims to conduct research and application studies related to aircraft and aviation. This will aid in the design and manufacture of new types of aircraft to be developed by the Turkish Aircraft Industry.
As of 2017, the Aircraft Engineering Department had a total of 336 undergraduate students. Approximately 70 students are admitted each year. They are selected from the top 3% in the ÖSYM examination. As of October 2017 the department had 35 academic staff. This included 10 Professors 3 Associate Professors and other teaching staff.
The Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics continues to be a prominent institution. It shapes the future of aviation and space technology in Turkey.