The Department of Aeronautical Engineering aims to educate engineers in the design and manufacturing of new aircraft types that will advance Turkey's aviation industry, as well as in the maintenance and repair of military and civil aircraft. The department also conducts research and applied studies in fields related to aircraft and aviation.

The department was founded in 1941 as a branch within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. In 1944, it joined the newly established Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The current academic staff consists of 9 Professors, 4 Associate Professors, 7 Assistant Professors, 2 Lecturers, and 19 Research Assistants — 41 faculty members in total. Every year, 50 students who score in the top 3 percentile of the national university entrance exam are admitted to the programme.