The 2nd Traditional Aviation Festival, organized by Erciyes Aviation and Sports Club with the support of Kayseri Governorate, Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports and the coordination of Melikgazi Municipality, was held with great interest from the citizens.

Speaking at the event that brought together aviation and sky enthusiasts, Melikgazi Mayor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Palancıoğlu said, “With the support of our Governorship and Metropolitan Municipality, as well as Kocasinan and Talas Municipalities, we will hopefully take this festival under the patronage of Melikgazi Municipality and make it an even better event. Today, the interest of our young people in this event is quite high. In the GÖKTİM Melikgazi project that we have carried out under the Governorship, we witnessed 1400 student applications to receive aviation-related training. We selected 300 students from among them and are currently providing them with training in our 3 technology workshops, introducing them to technology. Our whole aim is to prepare our young people for the future in the best way. Especially in recent years, we see that aviation and space sciences have become important. We are currently one of the top three countries in the world producing UAVs. Therefore, the more education we give to our young people about aviation and space, and the more we ensure that they are competently trained, the better our country will be prepared for the future. This place is especially important. Because a century ago, an aviation story began here. Türkiye's most important One of the investments was the establishment of the Aircraft Factory TOMTAŞ. It continued production here until 1949; after 1949, it was transformed into the Air Supply and Maintenance Command. This year we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Aircraft Factory. May God grant that the unfinished story be brought to life in the best way and that Kayseri, our country, becomes a country that has a say in the world in aviation.” he said.

“Aviation is a sector with very high added value.” President Palancıoğlu continued his speech, saying:

In Kayseri, of course, furniture, steel doors, and electric household appliances are produced. But our main goal is to produce high value-added products such as those for the defense industry and the health industry in our country, and especially in Kayseri. Therefore, there is accumulated knowledge and experience here, and there are very important experiences we can gain from air supply. Hopefully, if we can transfer these to the private sector and industry, then Kayseri and our country will develop further. Currently, TOMTAŞ has been re-established, and KAYTECH Aviation has been established. 7 or 8 companies related to aviation and defense are operating intensively. Many parts of our HÜRKUŞ aircraft have started to be produced within TOMTAŞ. May God grant us the opportunity to produce them completely. We have FASBAT facilities in Kayseri. The retrofitting (improvement) of our A400M aircraft is done here. This facility has become an important location not only for Kayseri but also for Europe. I thank our esteemed commanders. Many of us may not know this, but the Air Supply and Maintenance Command currently has the most important aviation history and infrastructure in Türkiye, along with Eskişehir and Ankara. May God grant us even greater successes. I thank everyone who contributed to this wonderful program and Mr. Hacı Ceylan, the President of Erciyes Aviation and Sports Club, Pilot.”

Participants who experienced drone shows, model airplane activities, and simulation experiences at the aviation and technology stands, also watched the Gendarmerie Commando Special Security Command's grape cluster show from the helicopter with great appreciation.