It was founded in 1951, replacing the Army Flight School, with the mandate to train the officers of the Turkish Air Force.

TuAFA is recognized by the Turkish Council of Higher Education, as a university accredited to grant engineering degrees.

It began operations on July 3, 1912 in Yeşilköy, then moved to Eskişehir in 1926 and France-trained Captain Muzaffer GÖKSENIN became its first director.

In 1955 flight training was moved back to the period after the initial two-year academic education and the number of trainees was increased from 68 to 136.

Rapid improvements in aviation and space technologies demanded fundamental changes in the education and training provided by the academy.

In 1992 after 32 years once again they began to be admitted, and a total number of 134 female officers have graduated from the academy from 1996 to the present (2011).

The foundation of the Air Force Academy Dean of the Faculty was a milestone in support of the academic activities to be implemented in a modern and efficient way.

The Academy's aim is to have pilot candidates who are trained in modern science and technology, and capable of dealing with the problems and issues of military daily life, and also with the attributes and abilities to strengthen the Turkish Armed Forces.

The Academy uses different ways to achieve those aims via military, academic, affective domain, and physical education and training.

In the academy, cadets trained to become jet pilots are prepared both physically and psychologically for demanding situations that they will face.

During the Air Force Academy education period, cadets also receive Applied Flight Training.

In addition, Project, Computer, Second Language Learning and English Conversation clubs are other extra curricular activities.