In 1984, he graduated from the Air Force Academy. He served as a flight and project officer in different units of the Air Force Command. After serving as Jet Base Airfield Commander in Antalya, he retired in 2010. He flew 2,500 hours of missions with various types of aircraft, including propeller and jet, belonging to the Turkish Air Force, jumped with a T-10 parachute, received Paragliding training after his retirement, and flew sport aircraft such as gliders, microlights, gyrocopters and ultralights. In 2010, he started teaching at Er-Ah Flight School and in the same year, he was elected as the President of Antalya Branch by the votes of Turkish Air Association members. Since 2012, he has actively participated in many association activities and social responsibility projects as a member of the General Board of Directors of THK, Founding Member and President of Antalya-Karain Sportive Aviation Club. He is still actively working at Er-Ah Flight School and Antalya Bilim University, Department of Pilotage as a Ground Lessons Instructor. He is also a founding member of the Fly2Troy association based in Munich.

Eike is a passionate radio presenter and experienced pilot. He began his flight training in 2008 and has since achieved impressive milestones including private pilot licence, instrument rating and commercial pilot licences for single and multi-engine aircraft. In 2020, he became a Class Rating Instructor and achieved certifications as a single-engine and multi-engine aircraft instructor and English language proficiency examiner. Eike enjoys exploring Europe from the air when he is not working in radio.

2008 - Started Flight Training

2009 - Private Pilot

2010 - IFR (Instrument Rated)

2012 - Commercial Pilot - Single Engine

2014 - Commercial Multi-Engine Instrument Rated Pilot (CPL, MEL+SEL, IR)

2014 - Commercial Pilot - Single + Multi Engine SEA

2020 Instructor

2020 Authorised teacher CRI Single + Multi Engine

2020 Language Proficiency Examiner, Level 4-6

2021 Training Center Instructors (TCI) - flight training professional who are experts at Cirrus flight training. TCI is personally trained and evaluated by Cirrus' own training specialists to ensure a factory-level experience to each and every customer.

Eike enjoys flying around Europe as well as the United States. On frequent trips to Florida, Eike often travels to and from The Bahamas as well as other sunshine destinations in and around the USA and Europe. Additionally, Eike often travels with young pilots in training as a Safety Pilot riding shotgun in the air to help them gain experience and fly safe. This he does in D & N registered aircraft.

Born, raised and living in Istanbul. Bs in Computer Science, Loughborough University, UK, 1980 - Been in the IT field since 1981, representing some well-known companies such as Cromemco, US Robotics, and Palm, now retired. I got my PPL in 1992 and became a member of the Istanbul Aviation Club, where I was the president between 2007-2012. We attended many international aviation activities during that period including World Air Games. I am the founding CEO of AOPA Turkiye which is growing rapidly. I own my Socata TB20 since 2001, flown over 2500 hours with her and with various other aircraft. I also was trained in formation flying with Beech T-34 Mentor planes in the US. I am also a founding member of the Fly2Troy association based in Munich.

During my psychology studies at Doğuş University in 2004, I had my first contact with aviation through the company Çelebi Hava Servisi. After working as a cabin crew on various routes for some time, I developed a great enthusiasm for flying and obtained my private pilot licence for PPL, UPL and UPL (G) in 2011. At that time, I was the first female gyrocopter pilot in Türkiye and had previously successfully completed the P3 paragliding licence. At Ondokuz Mayıs University, I worked as a flight attendant and pilot and developed training programmes for cabin crew as a lecturer, which offered guaranteed employment at the end. By participating in regular national and international symposia, I try to inspire young people for aviation. Currently, I work as an aviation cartographer and map the whole of Türkiye. I am also the president of the Turkish Aviation Association in Bursa and co-founder of AOPA Türkiye and, in addition, now also a founding member of the Fly2Troy association based in Munich.

Ever since I was nine years old, I have dreamed of becoming a pilot. At the age of 43, I finally started to live out my passion for gliding. After successfully passing my exam, I immediately acquired my motor glider licence and covered more than 100 flying hours within a very short time. In order to travel faster and further, I also completed my UL licence and have since spent many hours doing so. Along the way I also trained as a line maintenance for Rotax engines. My next goal is to obtain the PPL-A and then the CPL-A. The Fly2Troy VFR Türkiye trip I initiated is a highlight in my life and I can't wait to start this adventure together with you. I am also a founding member of the Fly2Troy association based in Munich. Here more about me.

I am not a pilot and have little else to do with flying, but I regularly fly with my husband Zafer Ertem as a companion. Actually, I am afraid of flying, but when I fly in a small sports plane with my husband, I feel safe. In the club I am the treasurer and I will fulfil my duties to the best of my ability. I wish all pilots who embark on this great journey a lot of fun and always happy landings!

When I went gliding with my father for the first time at the age of 14, I was immediately enthusiastic and am still passionate about piloting gliders in the Alps. I have been flying regularly for 13 years now and have successfully acquired my PPL-A licence along the way. Flying has now become my permanent hobby and it even offers me the opportunity to combine it with a professional career. This trip to Türkiye is a very special experience for me, both in terms of the country, the fascinating culture and the delicious food, as well as the insanely great experience that comes with a long journey. I am really looking forward to this trip and wish us all safe landings all the time!

Burkhard Zach has already tried his hand at a lot of flying: Model aeroplanes, paragliders, hang gliders, gliders, touring motor gliders and microlight aircraft. He has found his flying home with his UL biplane Kiebitz. The graduate engineer maintains his biplane himself and is constantly developing it further. Several times a year, he undertakes long trips with his biplane and prefers to spend the night with a tent and sleeping bag under the wing, so to speak. He has already travelled to Morocco, Russia (Moscow), Sicily, the Black Sea and England. He has already published more than 15 reports on his experiences for Fliegermagazin, Aerokurier and daily newspapers and has discovered writing as a second passion.

Burkhard will accompany this journey and bring this great adventure to life in words, pictures and video for all those who stayed at home.