At the end of the First World War, the presence in the hangars of some German and other aircraft, the oldest from 1912, caused the Inspectorship of Air Force to decide to found an aviation museum.

Investigations resulted in a decision to relocate the museum to the area next to the Military Airport at Istanbul-Yeşilköy, near the Air Force Academy.

Considerations included its location, visitor potential, improvement and maintenance conveniences, and the fact that it was also where the nation's first air unit was based and the historical importance it bears.

Interior architecture and decoration were carried out by technical staff and experts from Istanbul Provincial Culture, Building and Monuments Directorate and Mimar Sinan University.

The museum was opened to visitors by General Halil Sözer, Commander of the Turkish Air Force, on 16 October 1985.