27.06.2026 13:03
Akın Ünal, President of the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK) Board of Trustees, made assessments regarding firefighting aircraft, stating that the institution's core mission is the development of civil aviation and aviation training, and that combating forest fires is not the institution's primary duty. Noting that the maintenance and operating costs of firefighting aircraft are quite high, Ünal said, "The Turkish Aeronautical Association no longer wishes to be associated with forest fires and firefighting."
In the capital, the promotion of the "Workshop on the Meaning of Ankara's Historical and Cultural Values in the Turkish World" was held.
The program was organized by the Association of Culture and Art Correspondents, with the support of the Ministry of Interior General Directorate of Civil Society Relations and hosted by Akın Ünal, Chairman of the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK) Board of Trustees, at the THK Parachute Jumping Center.
"WE AIM TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SPORTS ASPECT OF AVIATION"
Speaking at the program, Ünal stated that the institution was established in 1925 and is now 101 years old, making it one of the rooted institutions of the Republic.
Ünal, expressing that despite various problems experienced in the past, the institution has refocused on its core mission, stated that they aim to contribute to the sports aspect of aviation with an understanding focused on education and civil aviation.
Ünal explained that the THK Aviation Museum is one of the first steps of this understanding, and collaborations with various ministries are being carried out to increase the museum's visitor reach, saying, "This museum can be visited by 150,000 people or 500,000 people per year. We want this area, located in the center of Ankara, to be discovered by many more people."
"FIGHTING FOREST FIRES IS NOT THE INSTITUTION'S PRIMARY DUTY"
Evaluating the firefighting aircraft, Ünal conveyed that the Turkish Aeronautical Association's core mission is the development of civil aviation and aviation education.
Ünal, stating that fighting forest fires is not the institution's primary duty, emphasized that firefighting activities were successfully carried out in the past when the institution was strong and became a symbolic area over time, but the founding purpose of the Turkish Aeronautical Association is to train aviators, develop aviation culture, and contribute to sports aviation.
"THE TURKISH AERONAUTICAL ASSOCIATION NO LONGER WANTS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH FOREST FIRES AND FIREFIGHTING"
Ünal, drawing attention to the high maintenance and operating costs of firefighting aircraft, said, "The Turkish Aeronautical Association no longer wants to be associated with forest fires and firefighting. We will continue to stand by the General Directorate of Forestry and relevant institutions when needed. However, as an institution, we want to focus more on civil aviation, education, and engaging young people in aviation."
"WE PLAN TO REOPEN THE PARACHUTE TOWER BY SEPTEMBER AT THE LATEST"
Ünal, stating that summer aviation schools, glider, model aircraft, paragliding, and paramotor training continue within the institution, expressed their goal of increasing young people's interest in aviation.
Ünal, emphasizing that efforts are ongoing to reopen the Parachute Tower, said, "If no obstacle arises, we plan to reopen the Parachute Tower in mid-August or by September at the latest."
THK Deputy General President Fahrettin Kaya also attended the program.