CIVIL AVIATION MANAGEMENT EDUCATION IN TURKEY

Ali Emre Sarlgan

School of Civil Aviation Anadolu University, TURKEY
aesarilgan@anadolu.edu.tr

Abstract
Civil aviation plays important role world economy. It provides some economic and
social benefits where they operate. Civil aviation management education is essential
for sustainable growth of civil aviation. 1983 Act no: 2920 give private enterprises to
operate airports and airlines and civil aviation started growth in Turkey. After 3 years
later this act Anadolu University started civil aviation education in 1986. Until 1992
civil aviation education was 3 years for all departments (air cargo, air catering,
technical, etc.) in School of Civil Aviation in Anadolu University. After these
departments about management combined and named air transportation
management and education period became 5 years. First civil aviation management
education started in 1992 in Anadolu University in Turkey. And then widen rest of the
Turkey. There are 21 universities studying about civil aviation management education
in Turkey in 2011. This paper aim is to explain civil aviation management in Turkey.
Keywords: Turkey, civil aviation, education

1. Importance of civil aviation

The airline industry is a unique and fascinating industry. It captures the interest of a
wide audience because of its glamour, reach and impact on the large and growing
numbers of consumers worldwide. (Chan, 3) Aviation provides the only rapid
worldwide transportation network, which makes it essential for global business and
tourism. It plays a vital role in facilitating economic growth, particularly in developing
countries. Economic impact can be divided into three categories: direct, indirect, and
induced. Direct economic impacts are the consequences of what might be termed
first-tier economic activities carried out by an industry in the local area. Indirect
impacts derive from off-site economic activities that are attributable to air transport
activities. Induced impact is the multiplier effects that are caused by the increases in
employment and income generated from direct and indirect economic impacts of air
transportation. (Vasigh, Fleming and Tacker, 20-22) Aviations global economic
impact (direct, indirect, induced and catalytic) is estimated at USD 3,560 billion,
equivalent to 7.5% of world Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 1,715 airlines operate a
fleet of 23,000 aircraft serving 3,750 airports through a route network of several
million kms managed by 160 air navigation service providers. It allows people to visit
new countries, to build business relationships and to visit friends and family. As our
global economy grows ever more linked, aviation is the factor that brings people
together. In 2010, over 2.4 billion passengers were carried by the world's airlines.

Over 33 million people are employed worldwide in aviation and related tourism. Of
this, 5.5 million people work directly in the aviation industry. (www.atag.org) Air
transport has always been a high-growth industry. Over the past 60 years its growth
rate has been consistently well above that the world GDP. (Hanlon, 3)
2. Civil aviation history in Turkey
First aviation activities in Turkey started in 1912 in Istanbul. First civil air
transportation was started in 1933 name is Turkish Airmails later this name change
as Turkish Airlines (THY). (www.shgm.gov.tr) THY was the only player in the Turkish
airline industry until 1983. In 1983 Law No:2920 give right to operate private
enterprises to airport and airline. New Turkish airlines founded and operated as a
charter carrier. But they still only operated international routes. Before 2003, the air
transportation industry was closed to domestic routes competition. The necessary
legal environment has not yet been established to ensure that private airline firms
other than THY also operate especially in the scheduled domestic flights and cargo
transport. The year 2003 was a milestone for Turkish Civil Aviation. Year 2003
domestic routes open for other air carriers. After liberalization in Turkey Turkish air
transport system grow very fast. The number of domestic passengers is 2003 9.2
million it grows 50.5 million in 2010. (dhmi.gov.tr) The number of employee is 100
thousand from 49 thousand. (From 2002 to 2008 Turkish Civil Aviation, 57)

3. Civil aviation management education in Turkey

After first civil aviation management related education started in 1986 in Anadolu
University. In year 2011 there are 21 civil aviation management related universities in
Turkey. 11 of them state, 10 of them private universities.
In School of Civil Aviation air transportation management (ATM) department, highly
qualified staff in the field of management demanded by government and private
enterprises operating in the aviation sector is educated. Professional courses such as
airline management, airport management, aviation safety and security; theoretical
management courses such as analysis of financial reports, human resources
management, economics take part in the curriculum of the department of air
transportation management. Every year, more than 40 students are accepted by
centralized nationwide entry examinations. In the department, one year of English
language education is followed by four years of undergraduate education. 40
workdays of internship is required. The graduates can work at aviation authorities,
airlines, airports and other aviation companies. Table 1 shows the ATM department in
Anadolu University School of Civil Aviation 8 semester course title, hours, code and ECTS
credits.

Table 1. Anadolu University School of Civil Aviation ATM Course Plan

1.Semester Course Plan
Compulsory/Elective

Laboratory+Practice
ECTS
(Hour)

HUK153 Fundamentals Concepts of Law

Compulsory Course

2+0

3.0

KT153

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

Code

Course Title

Economics I

L101

Introduction to Business

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

MAT129 Mathematics I

Compulsory Course

2+0

4.0

MUH151 Introduction to Accounting

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU101 Introduction to Civil Aviation

Compulsory Course

2+0

3.5

TR103 Turkish Language

Compulsory Course

4+0

4.0

Elective Course(1)

2.0

Total ECTS credits:

30.0
2.Semester Course Plan
Compulsory/Elective

Laboratory+Practice
ECTS
(Hour)

Compulsory Course

2+2

5.0

KT154 Economics II

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

MAT172 Mathematics II

Compulsory Course

2+0

3.0

SHU102 Meteorology

Compulsory Course

3+0

5.5

SHU103 Flight Theory

Compulsory Course

2+0

3.5

SHU108 Air Transportation

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU205 Management Statistics

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.0

Code
BL151

Course Title
Fundamentals of Information
Technology

Total ECTS credits:

30.0
3.Semester Course Plan
Compulsory/Elective

Laboratory+Practice
ECTS
(Hour)

HUK154 Commercial Law

Compulsory Course

2+0

3.0

L102

Code

Course Title

Management and Organization

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.0

SHU201 Navigation and Navigation Aids

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU213 Flight Operations

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU215 Airport Operations and Equipment

Compulsory Course

3+0

5.5

SOS107 Behavioral Sciences

Compulsory Course

2+0

3.0

Compulsory Course

2+0

2.0

TAR253

Atatrk's Principles and History of

Turkish Revolution
Elective Course(1)

3.5

Total ECTS credits:

30.0
4.Semester Course Plan
Compulsory/Elective

Laboratory+Practice
ECTS
(Hour)

PLT233 Flight Performance

Compulsory Course

2+0

2.0

SHU212 Operation and Performance

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU224 Ground Handling

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU226 Passenger Handling Services

Compulsory Course

3+0

5.0

SHU228 Dangerous Goods

Compulsory Course

3+0

5.0

SHU230 Aviation Security

Compulsory Course

2+0

3.0

Compulsory Course

2+0

2.0

Code

TAR253

Course Title

Atatrk's Principles and History of

Turkish Revolution
Elective Course(1)

4.0

Total ECTS credits:

30.0
5.Semester Course Plan

Compulsory/Elective

Laboratory+Practice
ECTS
(Hour)

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

HUK252 Labor Law

Compulsory Course

2+0

2.5

NG307 Aviation English I

Compulsory Course

4+0

5.0

L301

Code
FN202

Course Title
Financial Management

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.0

MUH240 Cost and Management Accounting

Compulsory Course

4+0

5.0

PZL302 Marketing Management

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU301

Human Resources Management

Production Management in Service

Companies

Total ECTS credits:

30.0
6.Semester Course Plan
Compulsory/Elective

Laboratory+Practice
ECTS
(Hour)

NG308 Aviation English II

Compulsory Course

4+0

5.0

L417

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

MUH302 Analysis of Financial Reports

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU302 Airline Management

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU304 Air Traffic Rules and Services

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SOS312 Organizational Behavior

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

Code

Course Title

Management Information Systems

Elective Course(1)

2.5

Total ECTS credits:

30.0
7.Semester Course Plan
Compulsory/Elective

Laboratory+Practice
ECTS
(Hour)

MLY205 Public Finance

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

NM305 Quantitative Methods

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU403 Finance in Aviation Companies

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU404 Airport Management

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU405 Aviation Safety

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

SHU409 Enterprise Resource Management

Compulsory Course

3+0

4.5

Code

Course Title

Elective Course(1)

3.0

Total ECTS credits:

30.0
8.Semester Course Plan
Compulsory/Elective

Laboratory+Practice
ECTS
(Hour)

HUK418 Air Law

Compulsory Course

2+0

2.5

PZL210 Customer Relations

Compulsory Course

2+0

3.0

PZL410 Airline Marketing

Compulsory Course

2+0

3.0

SHU412 Airline Fleet Planning

Compulsory Course

2+0

3.0

SHU416 Aircraft Maintenance Manangement

Compulsory Course

2+0

3.0

SHU426 Transportation Policies

Compulsory Course

2+0

3.5

Compulsory Course

0+6

6.0

Code

SHU498

Course Title

Applications of Civil Aviation

Management
Elective Course(2)

Total ECTS credits:

6.0
30.0

Elective Course
Compulsory/Elective

Laboratory+Practice
ECTS
(Hour)

HYO303 Model Aircraft Constmetion

Elective Course

1+2

3.0

HYO451 General Aviation

Elective Course

3+0

3.5

L352

Elective Course

2+0

3.0

SA102 First Aid

Elective Course

2+0

2.5

SHU222 CRS Applications

Elective Course

3+0

4.0

SHU232 Air Cargo

Elective Course

3+0

4.0

SHU308 Aviation Ethics

Elective Course

2+0

3.0

SHU432 Innovation Management

Elective Course

2+0

3.5

Elective Course

0+2

3.0

Code

Course Title

Organizational Communication

THU203 Community Services

Source: http://abp.anadolu.edu.tr

Table 2 shows the civil aviation management related universities in 2011 in Turkey.
There are 11 state and 10 private universities and 10 of them give 4 years education
and 11 of them 2 years.

Table 2. Civil Aviation Management Related Universities in Turkey

State Universities
4 years
2 years
Erciyes
Mugla
University
University
Kocaeli
Atatrk
University
University
Mustafa
Gmhane
Kemal
University
University
Medeniyet
Akdeniz
University*
University
Ondokuz
Mays
University*
Erzincan
University
Anadolu
University
*these 4 universities did not start education.

Private Universities
4 years
2 years
Ozyegin
Istanbul Gelisim
University
University
THK University
Okan University
Atlm
University*

Kapadokya
vocational high
school
Istanbul Ticaret
University
Beykoz Lojistik
vocational high
school
Nisantas
vocational high
school
Arel University*

4. Anadolu University School of Civil Aviation

Anadolu University School of Civil Aviation was established in 1986 in order to train
staff having suitable qualifications that global civil aviation industry. In the Avionics,
Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance, Air Transportation Management, Air Traffic
Control (ATC), and Flight Training Departments one year of English language training
and 4 years of undergraduate education is offered. Students are accepted to the ATC
and flight training departments by an entrance examination conducted by the
university following a preliminary registration.
At the School of Civil Aviation, there are an international airport (3000m x 45m), a
JAR-145 certified maintenance center, 29 aircrafts, 28 laboratories; and flight, airport
control, and radar simulators. With this integrated structure, The School continues its
cooperation with the national and international aviation institutions and industry. The
service provided in the Aviation Sector has international attributes as a result the
personnel employed in this Sector and the educational institutions training these
personnel have to be properly certified according to the standards. Since the past,
the School of Civil Aviation is continuing its operation according to the international
and national standards while offering education and conducting aviation operations.
The School is one of the few School of Civil Aviations worldwide with its human
resources, available equipment and facilities; and aforementioned attributes.
67 of them academic total 267 staff working School of Civil Aviation in Anadolu
University in 2011. 2469 students graduated from School of Civil Aviation until 2011.
55 % from 4 years educated in School of Civil Aviation. (Figure 1) 25 % of ATM, 57%
Technical departments. (Figure 2)

1986-2011 Number of Students Among

Education Type Total 2469
142
6%

47
2%

4 years
914
37%

2 years
1384
55%

2 years to 4 years
second faculty

Figure 1

1986-2011 Graduated Students Agains

Departments
200 9%
221 9%
Tecnic
572 25%

1305 57%

ATM
ATC
Flight Traning

Figure 2
6. Conclusion
Civil aviation is one the most important industries in the world. It I sustain economic
and social benefits for people. This industry needs growing number of qualified
workforce. School of Civil Aviation in Anadolu University is the first university see this
gap in Turkey and started civil aviation related education just 3 years later of Turkish
Civil Aviation Deregulation in 1986. Air Transportation Management department is
one of department in School of Civil Aviation and gives the courses which the civil
aviation management and operation industry is needed. Anadolu University is
pioneer this department. Almost 2500 student graduated from SCA, 1305 Technical,
200 Air Traffic Controller, 221 Pilot and 572 Air Transportation Management working
for Turkish civil aviation industry.
References
From 2002 to 2008 Turkish Civil Aviation, Republic of Turkey ministry of Transport
and Communication, Publications of directorate General of Civil Aviation No:14,
Ankara, 2009.
Chan, Daniel. Strategic Management in Aviation Critical Essays. Edited Thomas C.
Lawton. The development of the airline industry from 1978 to 1998 A strategic global
overview, p.3-28.
Hanlon, Pat. Global Airlines. Elsevier UK.

Vasigh, Bijan, Fleming, Ken and Tacker, Thomas. Introduction to Air Transport
Economics. Ashgate, England.
www.shgm.gov.tr
www.atag.org
www.shgm.gov.tr
http://abp.anadolu.edu.tr/?page=akademik&inner=dersPlani&birimKod=5305040000