Airpark

Air parks are multi-purpose civil airfields designed for light aircraft training aircraft and sporting aviation activities, typically featuring small runways. These parks host sporting events such as flight training, model aircraft demonstrations, parachuting, gliding and hang gliding. They stand out as structures that support local and amateur aviation as an alternative to commercial airports.

In recent years as interest in aviation has grown air parks have begun to assume a strategic importance in Türkiye. These facilities provide multifaceted contributions in areas such as education sporting aviation and local development while also facilitating young people’s first exposure to aviation.

The development of air parks in Türkiye has gained significant momentum alongside the growing popularity of aviation and the increase in sporting aviation activities. Particularly from the 2010s onward individual enthusiasts and organizations established various air parks which began operations. These parks attract attention through their dual use for educational and recreational purposes.

Air parks play a vital role in providing practical education by enabling young people to become familiar with aviation. The Turkish Aeronautical Association universities and private flight schools organize training programs in these areas on topics such as piloting model aircraft unmanned aerial vehicles and aviation safety. The open and controlled environments offered by air parks provide an effective platform for combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience.

Air parks offer ideal spaces for sporting aviation activities. Many hobbies and sports including hang gliding glider flights powered light aircraft model aircraft displays and balloon flights can be safely conducted in these areas. Additionally these parks provide amateur aviators with opportunities to gain flight experience and test aircraft.

Air parks directly contribute to the local economy by revitalizing tourism accommodation transportation and service sectors in their regions. Visitors attracted by air shows educational programs and competitions increase the income of small businesses and local producers. Moreover through youth employment and technical training opportunities they ensure sustainable economic development.

Air parks are not only intended for sporting or educational purposes but also serve as rapid and accessible alternative airfields for emergency situations natural disasters and specialized aircraft. In mountainous and coastal regions such as the Mediterranean and Black Sea areas these parks function as vital landing sites that save critical time for fire-fighting aircraft ambulance helicopters and humanitarian aid aircraft. In Central Anatolia the geographical expanse continental climate and intensity of agricultural activities make these areas necessary as both logistical hubs and emergency response bases supported by training infrastructure.

^{Orhan Ünsal Air Park (Credit:} YouTube⁾

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has launched the "Air Campus" project to promote sporting and amateur aviation. Under this project special takeoff and landing areas are planned for fixed-wing and vertical takeoff and landing aircraft weighing up to 5700 kilograms. These areas will provide operational flexibility independent of existing airport procedures particularly for unmanned aerial vehicles and light aircraft. The ministry has also issued guidelines covering the technical and administrative regulations for establishing and operating air parks. These regulations define criteria such as runway length environmental obstructions and safety measures to ensure the safe and efficient operation of air parks.