The Flight Operations Management Program aims to train professional flight operations specialists equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to plan, manage, and monitor flights in accordance with national and international civil aviation regulations, ensuring operational safety. The program seeks to provide students with a strong technical foundation that enables them to maintain effective operational communication throughout all phases of flight, adopt a risk-based thinking approach, and respond appropriately to potential emergencies and operational disruptions.

In this context, the program aims to equip students with comprehensive operational workflow knowledge, enabling them to work in coordination with ground services teams, cabin crews, and technical maintenance units to ensure that flights are prepared for on-time and smooth departures. Through real case scenarios, simulation practices, and field training, students develop essential competencies such as coordination, problem-solving, time management, and operational assessment.

The program also focuses on enhancing students’ technological proficiency by enabling effective use of modern flight tracking systems, electronic flight planning software, and digital operations platforms. Through laboratory work, simulations, and computer-assisted planning applications, students gain the ability to use, interpret, and integrate contemporary technologies into operational decision-making processes.

Additionally, the program emphasizes educating individuals who can adapt to the dynamic working conditions of the aviation sector, maintain discipline under high-stress environments, and sustain their professional development through lifelong learning. Career management seminars, advisory services, and sector-based mentoring activities strengthen graduates’ adaptation skills to the professional work environment.

In line with the program’s quality assurance approach, regular feedback meetings with external stakeholders, integration of sectoral needs into the curriculum, and effective evaluation of summer internships are carried out to ensure continuous improvement of educational quality. In this way, students are prepared for flight operations expertise through a safety-oriented, practice-based, and up-to-date educational framework aligned with industry expectations.

Mission

The mission of the Flight Operations Management Program is to train flight operations specialists who possess the professional knowledge, skills, and competencies required to ensure the safe and efficient execution of flight operations in accordance with national and international civil aviation regulations. With a sector-focused educational approach, the program aims to educate professionals who are competent in flight planning, flight monitoring, emergency management, and operational coordination processes, who use technology effectively, and who embrace a strong safety culture.

Vision

The vision of the Flight Operations Management Program is to become a leading vocational education program that provides qualified workforce to the aviation industry, is preferred for its educational quality, complies with DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) standards, and prioritizes continuous development. The program aims to achieve national and international recognition as a program with high graduate employability, innovative approaches, and effective quality assurance processes.

Program Purpose

The Program of Flight Operations Management aims to train flight operations specialists who, in accordance with the standards of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation of the Republic of Türkiye (SHGM), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), are committed to the safety culture which will keep up with developments in the aviation sector, understand operational processes, possess a sense of social responsibility, utilize technology effectively, and possess advanced communication and coordination skills.

Program Objectives

Objective 1 – Knowledge

To ensure that students acquire fundamental and field-specific knowledge related to flight planning, aircraft performance, meteorology, airspace structure, aviation legislation, and flight operations processes.

Objective 2 – Cognitive and Practical Skills

To provide students with the analytical, evaluative, and decision-making skills necessary for pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight operational stages, enabling them to conduct flight operations independently.

Objective 3 – Competence

To equip students with the professional competencies required to serve as licensed flight operations specialists certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and to train graduates who can actively participate in emergency management, information flow, operational coordination, and safety processes.

Objective 4 – Communication and Teamwork

To develop students’ ability to communicate effectively with pilots, cabin crew, technical teams, ground services personnel, and other operational units, and to strengthen their professional collaboration skills for coordinated work with various disciplines.

Objective 5 – Technological Competence

To train graduates who can effectively use the software, planning tools, and electronic systems utilized in flight operations and who can adapt to technology-driven operational processes.

Objective 6 – Professional Development and Ethics

To cultivate individuals who embrace aviation safety culture, are knowledgeable about DGCA regulations, possess ethical responsibility awareness, and are open to lifelong learning and continuous professional development.

Objective 7 – Employment Orientation

To support the employability of graduates as flight operations specialists in national and international airlines, general aviation enterprises, air cargo companies, and ground services organizations.

In parallel with the rapid development of technology in today’s world, the aviation field is also developing rapidly. Factors such as the growth of trade between countries and safe and fast air transportation have increased interest in the aviation sector, and innovations and changes in aviation have become inevitable.

We are moving forward with the target to meet the labor force need in the sector and to train qualified personnel.                                                                                              
In line with our objective, we aspire to equip individuals with the necessary skills to meet the needs of the industry with the help of our expert staff.

Head of the Program
Instructor Evren Yılmaz

Students who graduate from the Flight Operations Management Program are presented an associate's degree diploma in the field of Flight Operations Management. Graduates of the program can find jobs in airline companies (passenger - cargo) and representation/surveillance companies. After getting a license approved by Civil Aviation, they will also be able to serve as a Flight Dispatcher (Flight Operations Specialist) who performs Flight Operations management.

DGCA Authorized Flight Operations Specialist (Dispatcher) Training

The Flight Operations Management Program at Istanbul Kültür University is one of the few higher education institutions in Türkiye authorized by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to provide the Flight Operations Officer (Dispatcher) Basic Training. Along with the associate degree education, the program equips its students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required by the sector, while also preparing them for the licensing process conducted by the DGCA.

Flight Operations Officer (Dispatcher) License

Graduating with an associate degree alone is not sufficient to work as a Flight Operations Officer (Dispatcher). The practice of the profession is subject to the successful completion of the licensing process determined by the DGCA. Within this scope, candidates are required to pass the licensing examination held after completing the DGCA-approved basic training.

With its DGCA-authorized training infrastructure, practice-oriented education model, academic staff with industry experience, and strong collaborations with the aviation sector, Istanbul Kültür University prepares its students not only for graduation but also for making a strong start to their professional careers.

Program of Flight Operations Management – MEDEK Accreditation

The Flight Operations Management Program within the Vocational School of Istanbul Kültür University has been evaluated and accredited by the Vocational Education Evaluation and Accreditation Association (MEDEK), which operates to ensure the quality assurance of vocational education programs.
 

The educational activities of the program were examined in accordance with the criteria established by MEDEK in terms of the student-centered learning approach, program outcomes, teaching processes, assessment and evaluation practices, and quality assurance mechanisms, and it has been certified that the program meets the established quality standards.

Within this scope, the Flight Operations Management Program has been granted MEDEK accreditation, valid between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2027.

MEDEK accreditation demonstrates that the educational quality of the program has been evaluated at the national level and meets the established quality standards. Throughout the accreditation period, the program continues to carry out its educational activities in line with the principles of quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Accreditation Body: Vocational Education Evaluation and Accreditation Association (MEDEK) Accreditation Period: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027

Turkish Qualifications Framework (TQF) The qualification information for the Flight Operations Management Associate Degree Program can be accessed through the link below:

https://www.tyc.gov.tr/yeterlilik/ucus-harekat-yoneticiligi-on-lisans-diplomasi-TR0030034918.html

The Flight Operations Management Program is a two-year associate degree program.

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Which score type does the Flight Operations Management Program use for student admission?
The program admits students based on the TYT score type.

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Does the academic staff of the Flight Operations Management Program have industry experience?
Yes. Our academic staff consists of dispatchers and professionals who have worked in different areas of the aviation industry. The courses are delivered by instructors approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

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What is the language of instruction of the Flight Operations Management Program?
The language of instruction of the program is Turkish.

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Is there any change in the dispatcher examination?
Yes. According to the new regulation, the dispatcher licensing examination is now also conducted at institutions authorized as EKS (Education Resource Provider), and our university is also authorized as an EKS. The examination is conducted in two stages. The first examination accounts for 10% of the final grade, while the second examination accounts for 90%. Trainees who achieve an overall average of 70 are considered to have successfully passed the relevant course.

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In which positions can graduates of the Flight Operations Management Program work?
Provided that they fulfill the licensing and regulatory requirements determined by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), graduates of the program may work as flight operations specialists (dispatchers), flight operations specialists, Operations Control Center (OCC) personnel, flight planning specialists, airline operations support personnel, and in similar operational positions.

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What are the employment opportunities for graduates of the Flight Operations Management Program?
Graduates have the opportunity to pursue careers in airline companies, flight operations centers, Operations Control Centers (OCC), ground handling organizations, air cargo companies, general aviation enterprises, and public and private institutions serving the aviation industry.

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Is it mandatory to obtain a license to work as a flight operations specialist?
Yes. In order to work with the title of flight operations specialist (dispatcher), it is necessary to complete the training process authorized by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and become eligible to obtain the relevant license. The current licensing requirements and application procedures should be followed in accordance with the regulations published by the DGCA.

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How can a dispatcher license be obtained? Under the provisions of SHY-UHU, candidates who successfully complete the basic training authorized by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are entitled to obtain a Flight Operations Specialist (Dispatcher) License if they successfully pass the licensing examination conducted by the DGCA.

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Which bachelor's degree programs can graduates of the Flight Operations Management Program transfer to through the Vertical Transfer Examination (DGS)?

Provided that they meet the required success criteria in the Vertical Transfer Examination (DGS), graduates of the program may transfer primarily to the Bachelor's Degree Program in Aviation Management and to other related bachelor's degree programs in accordance with the quotas and transfer requirements determined by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).

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Is Flight Operations Management one of the professions that can be preferred in the future?
Yes. Due to the growth of the global aviation industry, increasing air traffic, and the fact that operational processes require increasingly specialized expertise, the field of flight operations management is regarded as one of the important professions that will continue to provide qualified employment opportunities and career development in the future.

İstanbul Kültür University, Vocational School, Bakırköy Campus İncirli Building, Yolbaşı S., 34147 Bakırköy/İstanbul.