PARAGLIDING

  Paragliding port is to take off by means of running from a high hill instead of plane with a parachute similar to free style jumping parachute on the first look. Parachute, which is lied on a inclined and highthill, is filled with air with the running of pilot and take off with pilot. Periods of the flights can coninue for kilometers / hours in connection with experience of the pilot and performance of the materilas used. Although it can be for single person, there is two persons ( tandem ) wings.

   Paragliding , whose first trial had been made on 1940s, had been numerously modified till today, and lots of structural improvements which increase the flight period and security, had been performed. First paragliding was similar to free style diving parachute. It had turned into an aerophyl structure which has high raising power instead of its pressure enduring characteristic with changing in time. Paragliding parachute wing structure had reached to its appropriate shape for easy to take off, slowly descending ratio and good flying performance, beginning from 1980s.

   Paragliding Sport in our country had been recognized with the discover by foreign pilots of Mount Baba in Fethiye, Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon) region at the beginning of 1990s, and actively started in university clubs initially. Being the most economical aerial vessel and being inside the natural sports, maintained it to be performed by a massive number of people today. ParaglidingParachute Sport, which does not require a special skill or much effort basically, is very easy and enjoying to do after a standard training. Paragliding training are organized by THK, university clubs and private clubs.

ÖLÜDENİZ - BABADAĞ

Location: Mount Baba, which is on the province territory of Fethiye of Muğla city, is 7 km inside from the coastal line. It rises just after the Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon) beach and faces just towards to south. You can reach to take off runway via a 45 minutes from Ölüdeniz stabilize but nearly smooth road.

Flight Season: Secure 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: Belcekız 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.