Dear Colleagues and Guests,
It is our great pleasure to invite you to the 3 rd International Congress of Aerospace Medicine (ICAM 2026), which will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, on 1–3 October 2026. This will be the first international civil aviation and space medicine meeting ever organized in Türkiye, which is a great honor for the Turkish aviation community. The Turkish Aerospace Medical Association (TAMA) is equally honored to host this event and warmly welcomes all participants.
As with the previous conferences in Paris and Lisbon, this meeting will be held under the auspices and with the joint sponsorship of:
The history of aerospace medicine in Türkiye dates back many years. The Turkish Air Force was established in 1911. After the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, beginning in 1929, many physicians were sent to European countries to receive specialized training in aviation medicine, returning as qualified flight surgeons. Starting in 1946, military physicians were also sent to the United States for similar training. These pioneers made significant contributions to maintaining aviators’ medical fitness and preventing aviation accidents among the Turkish Armed Forces’ aircrew. In 1948, the first Air Force Hospital in our country was established; uniquely constructed in the shape of an airplane to symbolize the nation’s passion for aviation. This hospital also housed a central facility equipped with physiological training simulators used to prepare pilots for in-flight physiological challenges. Since 1948, flight surgeon and aeromedical examiner courses have been offered in our country for both military and civilian physicians, along with additional training programs available abroad. As of today, all aerospace medical duties – including examinations, training, and related tasks – are carried out in Türkiye by the Turkish Air Forces, the Ministry of Health, the Civil Aviation Authority (DGCA), the University of Health Sciences, designated hospitals, and several NGOs such as TAMA.
As for Istanbul – Türkiye’s bridge city between Asia and Europe – it not only offers the unique beauty of the Bosphorus but also embodies a rich multicultural heritage spanning thousands of years. The conference venue, the Hilton Bosphorus Istanbul Hotel, is located in one of the most central areas of the city, within walking distance of numerous shopping, dining, and historical attractions. We are also planning to host a delightful Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner at the Hilton Bosphorus hotel and Academicians’ Dinner on boat in Bosphorus.
At ICAM 2026, we aim to offer participants not only the beauty of Istanbul but also a true scientific feast. We firmly believe that the future of flight safety relies on advancing knowledge in aerospace medicine. This is the key to reducing accidents, where the human factor plays a predominant role. Our scientific program will feature the latest knowledge and research findings, covering a broad spectrum from civil and military aviation to space medicine and exploration.
During the conference, we will also host:
72nd International Congress of Aviation and Space Medicine (ICASM)
9th European Congress of Aerospace Medicine (ECAM)
5th Turkish Aerospace Medical Platform Congress (TAMP)
On behalf of the ICAM 2026 Organizing Committee, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all participating scientists, as well as to our sponsors and exhibitors for their valuable support.
Prof.Dr. MUZAFFER ÇETINGÜÇ
ICAM 2026 PRESIDENT
President of ICAM 2026
