How to Get a Drone Pilot License in Turkey: SHGM Registration Guide (2026)
Step-by-step guide to registering as a drone pilot with Turkey's SHGM civil aviation authority. Includes IHA-0 and IHA-1 categories, the online exam process, and practice questions.
How to Get a Drone Pilot License in Turkey: SHGM Registration Guide (2026)
Flying a drone in Turkey requires registering with the SHGM (Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü — Turkey's Civil Aviation Authority). The process is fully online, free of charge, and takes about 1–7 business days for approval. You'll choose a category (IHA-0 or IHA-1), pass a 20-question online exam, and submit a photo.
This guide walks you through the entire registration process and includes practice questions similar to those on the real exam. The SHGM does not publicly publish its official question bank — the examples below are for preparation purposes only.
> New to drone flying in Turkey? Check out our guide on Turkish drone laws and regulations before starting your registration.
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What You Need Before Starting
> Personal note from Ahmet: When I first completed this process in 2021, the system was considerably slower. As of 2026, the interface is much smoother — though SMS verification can occasionally be delayed by a few minutes. Keep your phone nearby.
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Step-by-Step: SHGM Drone Pilot Registration
Step 1: Create an account at iha.shgm.gov.tr
Go to iha.shgm.gov.tr and click "Kayıt Ol" (Register). Enter your ID number, full name, and contact details.
> 📸 Screenshot tip: The homepage "Kayıt Ol" button and ID entry field.
Step 2: Complete email and SMS verification
After registration, you'll receive a verification code by both email and SMS. Enter both codes to activate your account.
> 📸 Screenshot tip: Email and SMS verification forms side by side.
Step 3: Log out and log back in
Once verified, log out and sign in again with your new password. This step is important — certain menu options won't appear until the session refreshes after verification.
Step 4: Navigate to "İHA Pilot Kayıt Başvurusu"
From the left menu or main dashboard, select "İHA Pilot Kayıt Başvurusu" (IHA Pilot Registration Application). This takes you to the application form.
> 📸 Screenshot tip: Left navigation menu open, "İHA Pilot Kayıt Başvurusu" highlighted.
Step 5: Choose your IHA category
Turkey's SHT-İHA/2 regulation defines two amateur pilot categories:
> Important: DJI Mini series drones (249 g) are under 500 g and are officially exempt from registration requirements. Many pilots still choose to register under IHA-0 to have documentation in case they upgrade to a heavier drone.
> 📸 Screenshot tip: Category selection screen showing IHA-0 and IHA-1 options.
Step 6: Click "Sınav Ol" (Take Exam)
Once you've selected a category, the "Sınav Ol" button becomes active. The exam is conducted online with a time limit — take it in a quiet place.
Step 7: Complete the 20-question online test
The exam covers drone safety, Turkish aviation regulations, and operational procedures. All questions are true/false or yes/no format. The passing score is 70 or above (14 out of 20 correct).
> Personal note from Ahmet: Don't go in unprepared. My first attempt had two wrong answers — questions about VLOS requirements and GPS signal loss tend to have subtle wording. Read each question carefully.
Step 8: Upload your photo
After passing the exam, the system will prompt you to upload a passport-style photo. Prepare a JPEG file in advance and keep it on your desktop.
> 📸 Screenshot tip: Photo upload screen showing supported file formats and size requirements.
Step 9: Wait for SHGM approval
Your application will be reviewed by the SHGM. Approval typically takes 1–7 business days, but can take 2–4 weeks during peak periods. You can track your application status in the same system.
Once approved, your IHA pilot certificate is recorded in the system and also accessible via Turkey's e-Devlet (e-Government) portal.
> Personal note from Ahmet: My approval came in 3 days. After approval, download the digital copy from e-Devlet and save it on your phone — you won't need to carry a printed copy in the field.
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Understanding Turkey's Drone Airspace
Turkey divides its airspace into three zones:
| Zone | Color | Restriction |
|------|-------|-------------|
| Open zone | Green | Relatively free — still subject to altitude limits |
| Restricted zone | Yellow | Requires prior SHGM permission |
| Prohibited zone | Red | Strictly forbidden — airports, military areas |
Flights within 9 km of airports are prohibited without special authorization. Urban centers, military installations, and national parks are either yellow or red zones.
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Practice Exam Questions (2026)
The following are practice questions similar in style to the SHGM exam — not the official question bank, which is only accessible through the SHGM system. Use these for preparation and topic review.
Questions 1–10 (Yes/No format)
Practice Question 1: Can flying beyond visual line of sight (VLOS) create a safety hazard?
✅ Yes. Under SHGM regulations, IHA-0 and IHA-1 category pilots must maintain VLOS at all times. Losing sight of your drone is both a legal violation and a collision risk.
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Practice Question 2: Is flying over residential areas without permission prohibited?
✅ Yes. Residential areas are typically classified as yellow or red zones. Permission from the SHGM is required. Unauthorized flights can result in fines and drone confiscation.
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Practice Question 3: Is flying in strong wind conditions considered risky?
✅ Yes. Wind resistance varies by model. The DJI Mini 4 Pro, for example, is rated to wind speed level 5 (29–38 km/h). Beyond that threshold, control becomes difficult and drift risk increases significantly.
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Practice Question 4: Is it safe to continue flying with a low battery?
❌ No. Continuing to fly on a low battery risks the drone running out of power before it can return. Most drones issue an RTH (Return to Home) warning at 20–30% — take it seriously.
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Practice Question 5: Is permission required to fly near an airport?
✅ Yes. Airports are red zones. Flying within approximately 9 km of an airport is strictly prohibited without special authorization. Violations carry serious criminal penalties.
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Practice Question 6: Should a pilot conduct a pre-flight area check?
✅ Yes. A pre-flight environment scan is a core safety procedure. Identify trees, power lines, buildings, people, and animals before takeoff.
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Practice Question 7: Is flying over a crowd of people safe?
❌ No. Flying over crowds is both legally prohibited and a serious safety risk. A motor failure or loss of control could send the drone into the crowd below.
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Practice Question 8: Can GPS signal loss cause control problems?
✅ Yes. Without GPS, the drone switches to ATTI (Attitude) mode, disabling position hold. In this mode, wind can cause the drone to drift and the pilot must control position manually.
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Practice Question 9: Does reduced visibility create flight risk?
✅ Yes. Fog, rain, or low cloud cover makes it difficult to maintain visual contact. VLOS rules require you to see your drone at all times.
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Practice Question 10: Can you fly a drone freely anywhere in Turkey?
❌ No. Turkish airspace is divided into green, yellow, and red zones. Only green zones allow relatively free flight; yellow and red zones require permission or are prohibited entirely.
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Questions 11–20 (True/False format)
Practice Question 11: "IHA registration is not mandatory."
❌ False. IHA registration is mandatory for drones over 500 g. Flying an unregistered drone is an administrative offense subject to fines.
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Practice Question 12: "Battery inspection should be done before every flight."
✅ True. Battery level, swelling, and connector condition are essential pre-flight checks.
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Practice Question 13: "The safety of people nearby matters during flight."
✅ True. As an IHA pilot you are responsible for the safety of those around you. Plan routes away from people and always identify an emergency landing area.
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Practice Question 14: "You can fly over military zones without permission."
❌ False. Military zones are strictly prohibited. Unauthorized flights constitute a national security violation and carry severe criminal penalties.
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Practice Question 15: "A pilot should check weather conditions before flying."
✅ True. Wind speed, precipitation probability, and visibility directly affect flight safety and are required checks before takeoff.
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Practice Question 16: "Drone maintenance affects flight safety."
✅ True. Propeller condition, motor noise, gimbal calibration, and firmware updates all directly impact safety. Poorly maintained drones have a significantly higher failure rate.
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Practice Question 17: "Watch out for other aircraft during flight."
✅ True. IHA pilots must always yield to manned aircraft. If you spot a helicopter, airplane, or other drone, immediately descend to eliminate collision risk.
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Practice Question 18: "Drone faults can be ignored and flight continued."
❌ False. Any fault indication — motor vibration, GPS error, gimbal issue, battery warning — requires immediate landing. Continuing to fly a malfunctioning drone risks losing the aircraft or injuring others.
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Practice Question 19: "All weather conditions are suitable for drone flight."
❌ False. Rain, snow, fog, storms, and extreme temperatures are not safe flying conditions. Most consumer drones lack IP ratings and can be damaged by moisture.
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Practice Question 20: "Commercial drone flights can be conducted without complying with SHGM rules."
❌ False. Commercial drone operations require a commercial pilot license, third-party liability insurance, and an SHGM operations permit. Operating commercially without these carries heavy fines and equipment confiscation. Thinking about commercial drone work? See our course options.
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Answer Key
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|----------|--------|----------|--------|
| 1 | Yes | 11 | False |
| 2 | Yes | 12 | True |
| 3 | Yes | 13 | True |
| 4 | No | 14 | False |
| 5 | Yes | 15 | True |
| 6 | Yes | 16 | True |
| 7 | No | 17 | True |
| 8 | Yes | 18 | False |
| 9 | Yes | 19 | False |
| 10 | No | 20 | False |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the exam free?
Yes, the IHA-0 and IHA-1 amateur pilot exam is currently free. SHGM may update its fee structure — check the application screen for the latest information.
What score do I need to pass?
70 out of 100. You need to answer at least 14 of the 20 questions correctly. Your score is displayed immediately after finishing.
How many times can I retake the exam?
If you fail, you can retake the exam. Check SHGM's current announcements for any waiting period requirements.
How long does approval take?
Typically 1–7 business days. During busy periods it can take 2–4 weeks. Once approved, your certificate is also visible on e-Devlet.
Do I need IHA-0 or IHA-1?
Most consumer drones — like the DJI Air 3 (720 g) or Mavic 3 (895 g) — fall under IHA-0 (500 g – 4 kg). DJI Mini series (249 g) are under 500 g and exempt from registration. IHA-1 covers drones from 4 kg to 25 kg.
Is this certificate enough for commercial flights?
No. Commercial drone operations require a separate commercial pilot license, third-party liability insurance, and an SHGM operations permit.
Do I need a drone flying course?
Legally, just passing the exam is sufficient. However, for safe and high-quality flying, practical training makes a significant difference. DroneEgitimi.com covers regulations, flight technique, camera work, and cinematic movement — everything beyond the legal minimum.
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This guide is current as of 2026. SHGM regulations are subject to change — always verify the latest requirements at iha.shgm.gov.tr. For questions, contact destek@droneegitimi.com.
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