Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Calis Beach Forum => Calis Beach Questions and Information => Topic started by: snowtop on August 20, 2013, 17:16:55 PM
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an over 6ft male friend of mine wants to know if there are any recommendations of a mature pilot for him to go with as he tries leaping into the abyss. i thank you one and all in advance
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Pontius ?
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Sky Sports in Oludeniz is always the place that gets the best feedback. If your friend is coming from the U.K. tell him to take out Hazardous Sports Insurance before he leaves as his normal travel insurance will not cover sport.
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I have a better suggestion; Tell him NOT to do it, PEOPLE DIE, Professional people !!
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I agree with you Gordon, but I think you may be like me, one of the older generation, our sense of reckless adventure has gone and never to return. Possibly, (if we look back), we, in our 30's or 40's would possibly have considered doing this kind of thing.
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Last year 15 people died on Babadag......
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The thought of throwing myself from the top of a mountain, whether tied to a person of whom I have had no prior knowledge, or on my own, I can assure you, Snowtop, would NEVER, in the creation of Christ, have even found the slightest chink in my brain upon which to alight. Yes Mercury, 15 killed, & how many more crippled for life. My Darling Loz did the stupid deed in 2002, much against my wishes, & imploring her not to; both her & her "pilot" fell over on the 1st "run-off", & were being dragged towards a vertical drop-off, when pulled back by others. On the 2nd, "successful"? attempt, they actually semi-demolished a tree on Olu Deniz prom. Still wanna have a go ? Then lead on McDuff !!
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As one of the waiters at the Belcekiz Beach pointed out when a paraglider smacked into the side of the hotel one morning. "Only a real expert could have managed that!"
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I once saw a young woman land awkwardly on her knees and she took all the skin off her knees and shins, down to the bone ! It still makes me cringe when I think about it.
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We always use Sky Sports. We would not dream of using any other operator.
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Do they issue "Superman" costumes then Eric ?? Guarantee of vulnerability with every glass of Raki !!
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We did paraglide off Baba Dag on our very first holiday to Turkey about 12 or so years ago!! If I knew then what I know now I certainly wouldn't of taken the risk!! However, on saying that it was a fabulous experience and I did enjoy it - I even did wing overs!!! Won't be trying it again though!!
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Having spent many hour sitting on my chair on the beach reading and looking around over the years I have seen enough accidents to never tell anyone that doing this would be a good idea.
Including watching the helicopter trying to find a falken body on the side of the mountain!!!!
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i used sky sports 7 jumps nice smooth landing. it's much better up there now no gravel anymore
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We did paraglide off Baba Dag on our very first holiday to Turkey about 12 or so years ago!!
And they're probably still using the same equipment today.
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You may well be right!!!!
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Having seen two bad accidents in two visits, please don't do it, jump out of the plane on the way into Dalaman instead, got to be safer!!!
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I have used Sky Sports for the last 19 years and I have never experienced any problems. They insure you for the flight so you don't need to get any insurance yourself.
I'd like to know where the previous poster got his deaths figures from, I'd like to see him post his sources!
There have been accidents, but they are so rare, and a lot of them are inexperienced solo pilots. The Tandem pilots are extremely experienced and do thousands of flights each season.
I am 6' 6" and all the pilots are able to deal with me!
It is so worth doing, so go for it!!
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Sky Sports do Insure you as all the other Turkish Companies do. However, the insurance only covers Turkey So hospital treatment. If you are delayed by being in Hospital and need an Hotel you pay yourself. If you miss a scheduled flight you pay for a new flight yourself. If you need a medi-vac home, again it up to you and a medi-vac can cost from £35.000. Also any time you miss from your work, is not insured.
So, this is why you need to take out Hazardous Sport Insurance before you leave. This covers, Jeep Safaris, Kite Surfing, Paragliding and even Horse Riding.
Of course, the companies in Turkey tell you that you are insured, but have you ever asked what for??
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This is from Fethiye Times, and is part of an article reporting the sentencing of a paraglider pilot to over 4 years imprisonment for his part in the death of his tandem passenger, who fell from a harness that was apparently not fit for the job.
Paragliding Popular
Oludeniz is famed for its spectacular paragliding with the famous mountain to beach flight. It also hosts an annual Air Fest at the end of October each year that attracts paragliding pilots from all over the world.
It was reported that the total number of paragliding launches from Babadağ had reached 57,000 during 2011, an increase of 3,000 on the previous year.
During 2011 year there were 7 accidents resulting in 3 deaths, and 4 people suffering broken bones.
Of the seven, six involved tandem jumps and the other one was a solo paraglider.
Between the 11 companies a total of 118 professional paraglide pilots are employed.
The 11 companies that fly from the mountain have agreed to restrict the number of flights carried out by their pilots to a 'maximum five launches in one day' for the 2012 season.
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We para glided yesterday with Pegus. Company and pilots very professional. Just after my wife and another person in our group took off the wind got up and the remaining four of us were delayed by forty minutes, and informed this was for safety reasons. Many other companies were still taking off. The views over Olu Deniz, were breathtaking. Like we did, do your research first and ask plenty of questions. We took out hazardous sports insurance before we left the uk.
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Last year 15 people died on Babadag......
Last year hundreds died in Fethiye and none of them paraglided. You only live once so try most things once or twice.
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I did a jump last year and like Loz was dragged on the ground at the start of the jump as the man pulling me fell and dragged me down with him...The wind had dropped and the light was going and we were the last ones on the mountain and they were keen to "get it over with" The top hill is 6000 ft up and full of rubble and stones.. When I fell I was dragged on the ground and dragged over this lot I sustained lots of cuts and bruises and found it difficult to walk for days after. It took a few minutes from leaving the drop off point for me to get seated and I was "hung on" to the pilot....I still have the scars on my legs. The day before this to me was when the poor guy died who hadn't been strapped in the harness properly.. He hung on until he dropped and was killed of course.. The pilot is still in prison... I did my jump for The 3 CS but I wouldn't do it again unless it was from the lower area. .Go and watch the air games and see how many professionals get hurt at that...Your life your choice....However safety measure have been improved this year by all accounts and there has only been one killed but if you are that one?
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Do they issue "Superman" costumes then Eric ?? Guarantee of vulnerability with every glass of Raki !!
No Gordon but they do replace all their equipment every year with new gear. Plus they have genuine insurance not a photocopy of a previous years document which is then altered. We have all flown with them including Fi's Mother who flew at 89 yrs old and then the following year for her 90th.
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Menthol I was thinking of the same incident on reading GJMEP's post. As far as I am concerned it only takes the one incident and if that is you, well your number is up.
Last year we saw two tandem "flights" crash in to the trees and there are a lot less of them in the last few years since they tidied up the prom.
Some of the waiters in the bar we go to regularly say there are always minor incidents/accidents............
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Our front terrace as a full uninterupted view of Babadag. I did the jump the first year. Never again. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up each time I see the rescue helicopter circling the mountain. Its rarely good news. Seriously people have died. Think twice on this one.
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I have done the jump, fantastic experience and I am glad I have done it. I have no intention or inclination of doing it again but loved it & would recommend doing it at least once in your life. My friend who is disabled with only 1 leg did it and the pilot was professional and the support staff great.
Of course there is risk and you need to be comfortable with what you are going. I have no regrets in doing but then I came down safely and am here to tell the tale (and have the photo!)
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Life is a risk.
I have jumped off Babadag mountain four times over the past 9 years, the last one being 3 weeks ago.
Other than seeing some reckless paragliders jumping off the mountain in heavy winds and only just getting back to the beach in time in May one year (their stupid fault) I have seen no accidents whatsoever. All other flights were already cancelled that day.
I am 6'-2" and I have had pilots at 5' and a fart take me down.
When my daughter was 14 years old, me, her and my wife jumped off with no problems at all. Do you think I would have let my daughter and wife do the jump if I seriously thought there life's were in danger - definitely not! The views are amazing and well worth doing.
Yes do your research and homework and find the best companies, we went with Gravity this year.
Its the old addage 'you have more chance of dying crossing the road'.
Do things that you want to do in life. Regret can linger forever.
Great times.