HGFA Skysailor Magazine

14 SKY SAILOR May | June 2018 Turkish Delights T he 18th International Oludeniz Air Games, held from 17 to 22 October 2017, marked the end of the flying season in the iconic paragliding town of Oludeniz, Turkey. Consistent sunshine, warm weather and light breezes saw a huge participation – with 600 pilots attending from 46 countries – and incredible performances from over 70 show pilots assisted by over 100 staff and rescue personnel. Traditional bands and celebrations officially opened the flight festival on Babadag’s 1700m launch before the sky quickly filled with colourful aerial displays consistently from morning to beyond sunset. Forty-five of the world’s top acrobatic pilots, including Australia’s AirSickAcro Team, performed gravity defying tricks; 25 wingsuiters, base jumpers and skydivers sped down to Earth from tandem wings from high above the beach, speed riders whooshed past, and paramotors, microlights and Mosquito-powered hang gliders buzzed over sunset beach-goers, while the night glowed with tethered hot air balloons and live bands on the beachfront stage. Infinite Tumbles were a common sight from the international display of acrobatic pilots Microlights, paramotors and Mosquito-powered hang gliders performed over the beach for the hundreds of spectators Over the turquoise waters of the Turkish Mediterranean, the air comes to life with adrenaline filled aerial displays during this ultimate airborne annual festival. by Molly McEwin