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PARAGLIDING |
The sport of paragliding
involves taking off by means of running from a
high hill with a parachute attached, similar to
free style parachute jumping. The parachute
itself, which is placed on the incline of a
sufficiently high hill, is filled with air
whilst the pilot runs to facilitiate
take-off. Flight durations can last in terms
of hours, dependent upon the experience of the
pilot and the quality of the equipment used.
Although paragliding can be enjoyed on
an individual basis, flights can be also be
taken in tandem.
Paragliding first emerged in the 1940s, and over
the years, parachute design has been
modified and structural improvements have been
made in order to increase flight duration and
improve safety. The first paragliding parachute
design was similar to a free style diving
parachute. Over time, it evolved into an
aerophyl structure with high raising power
instead of its pressure enduring
characteristic. Wing structure reached its
current stage of development during the 1980s,
synonymous with easy take-off, a slow descending
ratio and good flying performance as are known
today.
At the beginning of the 1990s, international
pilots discovered Mount Baba in Fethiye,
Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon) and the activity actively
took off in Turkey. Standard training can
prepare almost anybody to participate in a
tandem jump and the sport's simplicity has
ensured that over the years its popularity has
increased. In accordance, there are now a
selection of sites at which paragliding can be
enjoyed throughout Turkey.
Some of the Flight Zones
ÖLÜDENIZ - BABADAG
Location: Mount Baba, which is located in
Ölüdeniz/Fethiye in the province of Muðla, is 7
km inside inland. It rises just behind the
lagoon of Ölüdeniz and faces southward. The
take off runway is reached via a 45 minute
drive from Ölüdeniz.
Flight Season: Flights can be performed
between April and October.
Regional Characteristics: Ölüdeniz, which
is the first place where paragliding is
performed in Turkey, has a world - wide fame.
Its unique nature, sun and sea is enchanting
thousands of national and foreign tourists every
year, and has a structure appropriate for all
kinds of outdoor activity. There is no
transportation, accommodation and nutrition
problems within the developed touristic center,
region. Yacht tours are also drawing attention
in the area. Mount Baba is preferred as trekking
and camping area during summer and winter.
Take Off Runways: There are a total of
three runways in Mount Baba. 1700 meters high
south runway is appropriate for take off. 1800
meters high north runway is a little bit small
and upright. Take off area of the 1900 meters
high north peek runway is very comfortable. As
1700 meters high runway is taking the south wind
just from the opposite side during the most part
of the day, generally take off is made from
here. Approximately 20 wings can be lied on very
wide runway at the same time.
Landing Runway: Belcekiz beach at the
coast of Ölüdeniz, is a long and very
comfortable and secure landing runway with its
width.
Meteorological Characteristics: During
summer season, weather is stable. Sometimes
during morning hours a north wind comes and take
off is made from north runways into the valley.
South runway faces a south wind, between 5 - 20
km. during most of the day hours.
Things that should be considered: Especially
during the beginning and end of the season,
climate change months weather can change rapidly
and cloud can cover the take off area. On south
runway, during the period till to the midday
west wind coming from the west end of the mount,
can create a false south wind and mislead.
DENIZLI - PAMUKKALE
Location: Pamukkale is at the feet of
Mount Çökelen which is 21 km away from Denizli.
As it is a touristik region all kinds of
transportation is available to the region.
Flight Season: Flight can be made during
all seasons with its warm climate.
Regional advantages: An ancient
settlement region, Pamukkale is one of the most
important tourism centers of our country where
thousands of tourists are coming every year with
its ancient ruins and travertine formed with the
settlement of lime water.
There are two hills for take off:
Training Hill
Meteorological Characteristics: After sun
rise, wind which can be sensed at south - west
direction had blows mild till to the noon hours.
Wind which increases its speed during noon hours
slides to the west and nearly fully stops during
sun set.
Take Off Runway: As 70 m high hill is low
it is preferred for amateur flights. Due to the
warm impacts of the underground waters in all of
the region wind changes sensed within the region
is not sensed here. By means of regular winds
secure flights can be made during all of the
year.
Landing Runway: Flights from the slope is
ended at the plains of the region. Landing
points are very secure due to not holding a
handicap.
Things that should be considered: Though
turbulence formed with the speeding up wind
during the noon hours of the months when summer
hot is lived most densely should be considered.
Dynamite Warehouse
Meteorological Characteristics: Hill,
which is reign by western winds is especially
appropriate for flight during morning hours.
Strong thermal formations which begin around
noon are maintaining long flights for
experienced pilots.
Take Off Runway: Flight runway, which
took its name from a former dynamite warehouse
at the peek is 300 meters high. Slope which has
a wide area for take off of two parachutes
together easily, is at a point from where you
can see all beauties of Pamukkale.
Landing Runway: Although you can land to
the area at the end of flight track, you can
also land securely to the helicopter runway at
the entrance of travertine.
Things that should be considered:
Turbulence formed during noon hours of summer
months require maximum control and consideration
during flights. You can face with turbulence at
the end of take off runway during hard winds.
Cross blowing wind causes asymmetrical close at
parachute just after take off. Also ending of
hill with high slope requires a very quick run
for a successful take off.
ANKARA - GÖLBASI
Location: Transportation to Gölbasi
region, which is 27 km. away from Ankara city
center can be easily maintained from city
center.
Regional Characteristics: Due to
closeness to Ankara it is possible to benefit
from all activities and possibilities within the
city. It is the region where aerial clubs of
universities in Ankara are training Paragliding
. Gölbasi, is also a promenade place which draw
attention of Ankara residents who want get away
from city life goes for weekends.
Take Off Runway: Training hill which
faces to a wide plain is very appropriate for
hillside parachute training due its appropriate
altitude and facing wind from all aspects.
BOLU - ABANT
Location: Abant Mountains, is 34 km.
south of the Bolu city center. Asphalt 25 km.
long Abant Lake road can be used for reaching.
Road transport to Bolu, which is on the Ankara -
Istanbul highway passing is very easy. For
reaching Abant Lake minibuses departing from
city center can be used.
Regional Characteristics: Dense rain
forests surrounded Bolu city is appropriate for
all kinds of tourism activity. Abant Lake, whose
environment has a rich plant cover, is drawing
attention as a picnic and resort place during
summers and an appropriate place for winter
sports during winter. Abant Lake surrounding
accommodation and nutrition possibilities can be
benefited.
Take Off Runway: Abant Mountains have
more than one take off runways appropriate for
hillside parachute. Generally it is performed on
the hills surrounding Örencik Plateau, near to
Abant Lake, wide, plain and fully covered with
grass.
EGIRDIR
Location: There are road and railroad
transportation in Eðirdir, which is 60 km. away
from Isparta. Local bus firms of Isparta are
passing from Egirdir.
Regional Characteristics: Egirdir which
is appropriate for lots of tourism activities
with Eðirdir lake and island, has very
appropriate hills for paragliding parachute.
Süleyman Demirel University Aerial Club is
performing training flights on these hills.
KAYSERI
Location: Ali Mountain on the territories
of city of Kayseri, is 15 min. Away from city
center. It can be driven up carefully. Or when
you get off the bus at Ali Mountain plate with
getting on to a bus, you can reach to the hill
within 45 minutes by foot.
Regional Characteristics: World wide
famous Cappadocia present, Kayseri is welcoming
to thousands of tourists each year. Kayseri is
serving possibilities to the other sportive
tourism types such as skiing and cycling besides
paragliding with its appropriate geography.
Civil Aviation VIHE, is organizing training
flights to Mount Ali.
Take Off Runway: It has an altitude
difference of 600 to 750, and there are two take
off runways of which one is appropriate to south
winds and other one is north. Steep and smooth
inclination of the hill is appropriate for hours
of paragliding, but you should be careful in
weathers with turbulence.
Landing Runways: There are easily landing
areas in front of the hill.
ESKISEHIR / Inönü
There are facilities of Turkish Aviation
Organization within Ýnönü Province which is 15
km west of Eskiþehir. North facing slopes of the
province, are establishing very appropriate
flight conditions with especially north winds
during summer months. Courses organized by
Turkish Aviation Organization are performed
here.
ANTALYA / Aksu
Hill in Aksu province of Antalya is used as
training hill by Akdeniz University, Avaiation
Club. When you turn Perge ruins from Aksu turn
of Antalya - Alanya road, and go for a 10 - 15
km. without entering Perge 40 - 50 m. high
training hill is reached. Irrigation channel
should be considered during flight.
Physical Conditions for Paragliding
For paragliding lower age limit is 16 and upper
limit is 55. You can be flexible for upper age
limit according to health condition. Kilo limit
is minimum 40 kg, and maximum 130. Epilepsy,
asthma, heart, waist and keel disordered persons
can not participate to hillside parachute
training. For participation to hillside
parachute a form declaring that health
conditions are appropriate is filled.
Parachute Types
Parachutes (wings) have various sizes and types
according to weight of the pilot and flight
type. Parachute used by light weighted pilot, is
smaller in size than heavy pilot uses. There are
5 types of parachutes showing different
performances according to the training taken and
experience.
Wing Structure
Paragliding can be investigated at 4 parts
composed of Canopy (Dome), hook and break ropes,
supporting columns and Harness (equipment).
Canopy It is made up of texture with no air
transparency which will maintain parachute to
remain in the air with supplying air pressure in
the parachute. Canopies, is composed of
approximately 40 - 60 cells according to the
weight of the pilot and flight type, and these
cells are connected to each other with valves
for maintaining air pressure.
Hook and break ropes Ropes made up of a very
resistant and light material are moderately to
the canopy in order to support the pilot. Ropes
in front of the canopy are collected on front
columns and rear ones are collected on rear
columns. Break ropes are different colored and
they pass through a ring (they won't hurl even
if pilot leaves them free) and place into the
final column.
Supporting Columns Supporting columns, are
connecting dome ropes to equipment. They
maintain suitable holding places to pilot during
take off. They give possibility to use different
harness usage beyond easing take off. While
there are accelerators known as speed system on
less developed hillside parachutes, it is fixed
to harness columns on some of them.
Harness (Equipment) It is part where pilot will
sit. It is basically composed of hooks passing
through feet and arms for equipment of pilot.
Its structure can vary according to the used
material and additional equipment. There are
cross columns on some harnesses. These have a
structure of directly transiting body movement
of pilot to upper part for more securing the
dome. There are speed system connections, back
protector, air bag, spare parachute division
like advantages of developed harnesses. All
harnesses can be modified according to the body
structure of the pilot.
Meteorological Information
For performing air sports safely appropriate
weather conditions are very important. Basic
meteorological information is required
especially paragliding Movement of the wind and
shapes of the clouds are the factors initially
signing for flight. Other two factors are
turbulence and thermal.
Turbulence They are vertical aerial movements.
Turbulences; are faced during 5 km/h exceeding
impact movements, specific geographic regions,
with a wind backward coming to a steep hill, in
thermal entrances and exits and front regions.
Thermal It is formed with the rise of warm air
mass. This air mass composes flight hindering
clouds with cooling, and this is also causes
hard turbulence. Thermal is more formed
especially in rocky regions, asphalt areas,
forest region, water region (river, lake, sea
...) and agricultural areas. |
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