WHO AM I

     I was born in İstanbul in 1944. Because of my father's role as a member of the Turkish Air Force, I completed my primary and secondary education in İstanbul, İzmir, Diyarbakır and Balıkesir provinces. In 1963, I passed the Air Chief Warrant Officer School (in Eskişehir) exams. After a period of two years of teaching and training, I joined the ranks of the Turkish Air Force, as a graduate of the Air Chief Warrant Officer School, in 1965.

    I served in the Turkish Air Force, respectively; between the years 1965-1969 in the 184th Tactical Reconnaissance Jet Squadron Command, between the years 1969-1972 in the 144th Fighter/Bomber Squadron Command, between the years 1972-1977 in the 141th Fighter/Bomber Squadron Command, between the years 1977-1988 in the Air Force Academy and finally between the years 1988-1989 in the Headquarters of the Turkish Air Force. I retired in 1989.

    My interest in aviation began when I was a child. When I went to ‘airfield’ as a very young boy, when the schools are in holiday and shifts are until to noon on Saturdays, I found an opportunity to observe aircrafts up close, which I found very interesting. I got the chance to sit in the cockpit and look at indicators which I didn't understand. I used to watch aircraft engines firing up, maneuvering, taking off and landing when they were going on duty and then returning. Even today, I remember like it was yesterday that it took a lot of time to persuade me to go home at the end of the shift.

    After retiring from the Air Force, I felt that it is an honorable duty to share information and experiences which I gained from the Air Force with our young people who have a passion for aviation.

Ercan ÇETİNERLER

 Kadıköy-İstanbul, September 3rd 2006