Hang Gliding and Paragliding Volume 44 / Issue 12:December 2014 | Page 43

Lagoon and Mediterranean from the air is as impressive in
person as it is in the many photos we’ve all undoubtedly seen. I
spent the next five days cramming in as many laps as possible,
12 in total. The 45-minute ride from town to the launch at
Babadag lends pilots the opportunity to plan their next flight.
Launching can be tricky at times, so patience is a must as
clouds routinely inhibit the ability to take off. Arriving over
the water with as much as 3000’ of altitude AGL, pilots take
advantage of the opportunity to progress and hone their skills
in a safe and conducive environment for learning.
I made sure to include a handful of flights with the sole
purpose of enjoying the surrounding beauty, with one very
memorable flight occurring at sunset on my birthday. And no
“flycation” to Oludeniz would be complete without a few beers
at the Cloud 9 bar right on the beach.

Reflecting on the wonders, experiences, and lessons learned
over the last 18 days filled my mind during the long journey
home. In Slovenia, we were reminded of our need to find joy
in “para-waiting,” and fulfillment in even the shortest flights.
In Italy, we were reminded of our common bond and passion
for our sport regardless of our nationality, while observing
two pilots discuss an aspect of flying in their native language.
The specifics of the conversation were unclear to us, while the
context was easily picked up, given the vario-mimicking “beep,
beeep, beeeep,” and the twirling/rising motion of one pilot’s
index finger. Lastly, Turkey reminded me of our need to ceaselessly explore.
Whether in a group or alone, the knowledge gained from
stepping into the unknown is invaluable. Wishing each of you
blue skies and soft landings!

HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING MAGAZINE

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