Model Airplanes Built by High School Students Fascinate The Audience

The winners are announced at the “Istanbul Inter-High School Model Airplane Competition” sponsored by IGA. Shortlisted teams’ flying their model airplanes in the final round were a treat for the eyes. The team “Yürüyen Uçak” (Walking Plane) awarded first prize for their model airplane ‘ANKA’ received their award from Yusuf Akçayoğlu, the CEO of İGA. 

The final round was completed at the ‘Istanbul Inter High School Model Plane Competition’ held by İGA Airports, Istanbul New Airport contractor for construction and operation, in collaboration with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate for National Education and Istanbul Technical University (ITU). Four teams advanced to the final round of the competition participated by students from public and private high schools in Istanbul.  The teams to be evaluated by the jury received training and built model airplanes which they later flied to perform the required tasks. 

In the final round of the competition held at ITU Stadium, the team ‘Yürüyen Uçak’ (Walking Plane) which scored the highest in the report, flight and jury categories was granted the first prize. The winner also gained right to join the internship program at İGA. 

Yusuf Akçayoğlu, the CEO of İGA said: “At İGA, we take confident steps ahead with the New Airport Project, the largest in the history of the Republic, to make Turkey shine like a star in the civil aviation industry. Making our country the best in aviation calls for young people's interest, as well. There are numerous world-class higher education programs on civil aviation but this competition is the first of its kind, one to intrigue high school students and instill passion for sky in them. Today, İGA, witnessing the model airplanes floating in the air, built by 15 to 18 year old students following an intensive training, has revisited the happiness to have supported young people.  We will continue to support our young population's aviation projects in the coming years.“

Prof. Mehmet Karaca, President of the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) stressed that ITU, the school of the firsts and bests, trains senior managers needed by the industry through the Air Transport Management Master Program opened in 2013 with Turkey's air transportation pioneer THY's full support and in collaboration with the MIT, Cranfield, Boeing, Turkish Aeronautical Association and British Columbia Universities. Noting how pleased they were for joining forces with İGA to develop such a special program, Karaca added that İGA and ITU successfully completed the Istanbul Inter High School Model Plane Competition, a social responsibility project gathering aviation enthusiasts from several high schools in Istanbul. Karaca congratulated the Istanbul Inter High School Model Plane Competition contestants and wished them a continued success.