Turkish Airlines Flight Academy Graduates 39 Pilots from Two Squadrons in October 2026

Türkiye – Turkish Airlines Flight Academy (TAFA), the airline-owned ab initio pilot training organisation, has held a graduation ceremony for its 139th and 140th cadet squadrons at Aydın Çıldır Airport in October 2026, marking the completion of training for another two groups of pilots entering the airline pilot pipeline.

• A total of 39 pilots graduated from the two squadrons. The graduates received their diplomas and pilot wings following the completion of their theoretical and practical training.
• The ceremony took place at TAFA's primary training facility at Aydın Çıldır Airport, with Aydın Governor Dr. Osman Varol attending alongside academy representatives and the graduates' families.
• TAFA's cadet pilot training pathway typically lasts 14–16 months, combining theoretical knowledge instruction and practical flight training. The academy provides training for Turkish Airlines' pilot recruitment requirements and other airline customers.
• AFM previously reported that TAFA graduated 351 pilots in 2025, representing a 25% increase from 280 graduates in 2024. The academy also recorded 89,550 combined aircraft and simulator flight hours during 2025, reflecting its expansion in training activity and graduate output.

About Turkish Airlines Flight Academy
Turkish Airlines Flight Academy (TAFA) is an airline-owned pilot training organisation headquartered in Aydın, Türkiye, operating flight training activities at Aydın Çıldır Airport since 2013 and across six training locations in the country. The academy reports a fleet of 97 training aircraft, comprising 66 Cessna 172S, 16 Diamond DA40, 14 Diamond DA42 and one Extra NG, supported by eight flight simulators used for flight training and multi-crew instruction.

Source: Turkish Airlines Flight Academy