A five-day drone racing competition ended on Sunday at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport, where 32 pilots from 27 countries flew their handmade drones through tight, obstacle-filled courses with precision and speed.
The competition was part of TEKNOFEST, Türkiye’s flagship aerospace and technology festival, which aims to showcase engineering talent and draw young people towards science and industry. Organisers described the races as a window onto new careers. One organiser, Ahmet Özkaya, called drone racing “the sport of the future”, adding: “It is one of the most open paths, both as a profession and as a hobby.” Industry backers also saw the event as part of a wider national movement.
Özgür Güleryüz, CEO of defence technology and engineering company STM, said: “TEKNOFEST is one of the country’s most important platforms for passing Türkiye’s technology vision on to the younger generation. Helping young people develop their talents in science, engineering and technology is the most valuable achievement for them.” Launched in 2018, TEKNOFEST has grown into a travelling mega-festival featuring air shows, hands-on workshops and a wide range of competitions.
This year’s programme included competitions in 58 main categories and 137 sub-categories in fields such as robotics, electronics and coding — part of a broad ecosystem that includes university teams, start-ups and state-linked companies. Held at Istanbul’s former international airport, now a technology arena, the races symbolised the blend of thrilling sport and real engineering, tracing a clear path from hobby to industry. For officials and sponsors, this synergy — spectacle alongside skill — is the essence of TEKNOFEST.
