PARACHUTING

YUNUS TOPSAKAL

PARACHUTING

Parachuting, or skydiving, is the action sportof exiting an aircraft and returning to Earthwith the aid of gravity, then slowing downduring the last part of the descent by using aparachute. Parachuting is performed as arecreational activity and a competitive sport,as well as for the deployment of militaryairborne forces and occasionally forestfirefighters.

PARAGLIDINGParagliding is the recreational and competitiveadventure sport of flying paragliders:lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glideraircraft with no rigid primary structure.

Andre-Jacques Garnerin was the first to makesuccessful descents using a canvas canopy andsmall basket, tethered beneath a hot-airballoon.

The first intentional freefall jump with a ripcord-operated deployment is credited to Leslie Irvin in

1919.

The military developed parachutingtechnology as a way to save aircrews fromemergencies aboard balloons and aircraft inflight, and later as a way of delivering soldiersto the battlefield. Early competitions dateback to the 1930s, and it became aninternational sport in 1952.

A typical sport parachuting jump involves individualsexiting an aircraft (usually an airplane, butsometimes a helicopter or even the gondola of aballoon), at anywhere from 1,000 to 4,000 meters(3,000 to 13,000 feet) altitude.

If jumping from a low altitude, the parachute isusually deployed immediately; however, at higheraltitudes, the skydiver may free-fall for up to ~1minute deploying their main parachute, typically atan altitude of 1000m (~3,500 ft), and landing severalminutes later.

After the parachute opens, the jumper cancontrol the direction and speed with toggleson the end of steering lines that attach to thetrailing edge of the parachute, and can aim forthe landing site and come to a relativelygentle stop.

EQUIPMENT

Parachute ($ 2,150)

Altimeter (£100): measures theatmospheric pressure

Open-Face Helmet (£65)

Skydiving Gloves (£15)

Clear Goggles (£16)

Hook Knife (£10)

Packboy (£14)

Key Chain (£3)

Free Fall Jump Suit (£270)

SAFETY

Despite the perception of danger, fatalities arerare. About 21 skydivers are confirmed killedeach year in the US, roughly one death forevery 150,000 jumps.

Injuries and fatalities occurring under a fullyfunctional parachute usually happen becausethe skydiver performed unsafe maneuvers ormade an error in judgment while flying theircanopy, typically resulting in a high speedimpact with the ground or other hazards onthe ground.

Changing wind conditions are another riskfactor. In conditions of strong winds, andturbulence during hot days the parachutistcan be caught in downdrafts close to theground.

Another risk factor is that of "canopy collisions", or collisionsbetween two or more skydivers under fully inflatedparachutes. Canopy collisions can cause the jumpers' inflatedparachutes to entangle with each other, often resulting in asudden collapse of one or more of the involved parachutes.

Equipment failure rarely causes fatalities and injuries.Approximately one in 750 deployments of a mainparachute result in a malfunction.

Parachuting in poor weather, especially withthunderstorms, high winds, and dust devilscan be a dangerous activity.

PARACHUTING IN TURKEY

Parachuting, the most enjoyable way of flying, isquite common in the southern regions of Turkey.

1997 World Air Games was an internationalcompetition of air sports, held in Selçuk, Turkey, hostedby Turkish Aeronautical Association. It was the first ofWorld Air Games organized by World Air SportsFederation (FAI) once every four years. The gamesmarked the first time more than 3000 participantsfrom 60 countries took part in 16 differentchampionship categories.

• 1st World Parachuting Championships in Freestyle andSkysurfing

• 12th World Parachuting Championships in FormationSkydiving

• 9th World Cup of Parachuting Champions in Style andAccuracy

EFES (Ephesus and Aegean Sea)

EFES (Ephesus and Aegean Sea)

Ölüdeniz (Bluelagoon)

Ölüdeniz (Bluelagoon)

Ölüdeniz (Bluelagoon)

Antalya, Adrasan

Antalya, Alanya

Antalya, Kaş

Antalya, Kekova

Antalya, Konyaaltı

Denizli

Bolu

Nevşehir

Akşehir

Thanks

The sky's not the limit, the groundis, so drink soplica and jump!