paragliding
Paragliding in Alanya: The Story of One Day
Let me write this one differently. Instead of dry facts, I want to walk you through a tandem paragliding flight in Alanya from beginning to end — as if you were standing next to me the whole way.
Ready? Then let's go.
08:30 — Getting Ready
Your alarm goes off. Today is flight day.
You may have slept badly out of excitement — that is normal. Get up, take a shower, get dressed.
What to wear:
- Trainers (laced, with a solid sole)
- Long tracksuit bottoms or leggings
- A T-shirt with a windbreaker or light jacket over it
- Sunglasses
Breakfast: Something light but filling. Toast, eggs, fruit — ideal. Do not eat heavily, but do not go hungry either. Drink plenty of water.
Bring with you:
- Your phone, fully charged, with a neck strap or wrist strap
- A small amount of cash
- Sun cream if you have it
Leave in the car:
- Valuables, large bags, jewellery
09:15 — The WhatsApp Message
Your phone buzzes. A message from the FlyNow Turkey team:
"Good morning! Conditions are perfect, today will be a great flight. We will be at the hotel lobby at 09:45. Are you ready?"
You type back, "Ready!"
09:45 — Pickup and Transfer
Our team collects you at the agreed point, usually in a white minibus or SUV.
You meet your pilot in the vehicle. They will:
- Tell you their name
- Tell you how many years they have been flying
- Explain today's conditions
- Answer any questions you have
The transfer takes 15-30 minutes up to the Yunus Hill take-off site at 700 m. Alanya's coastline follows you the whole way — as you climb the mountain road, the sea drops away behind you.
As the vehicle climbs, your ears pop. Looking out of the window, the town starts to shrink.
10:15 — Arriving at Take-off
The vehicle stops. You step out, and your first reaction is: "Wow."
In front of you, the endless blue of the Mediterranean. Below, the Alanya shoreline. Around you, the heavy silhouette of the Taurus Mountains. The wind is light — just enough to move your hair.
Your pilot has already started preparing. They lay the wing out on the ground, check the lines, and pull out the harnesses.
10:20 — Putting on the Equipment
Your pilot fits your harness:
- You step into the leg straps (like a belt)
- The chest buckles are closed
- Your pilot checks every buckle, one by one
- The helmet goes on and is adjusted
- You are connected to the pilot's harness with four carabiners
You hear a "click" at every connection. That is the sound of safety.
10:25 — The Briefing
Your pilot turns to you and speaks in a serious but reassuring tone:
"Now I will explain the take-off. It is simple, just remember three things.
One: when I say run, run forward with strong steps. Fast, committed steps.
Two: never stop and never look back. Keep running until I tell you to stop.
Three: when your feet leave the ground, sit back into the harness and enjoy it.
I will remind you again before landing, but know it now: stretch your legs forward and keep them together."
"Any questions?"
Your heart is beating fast. "No, I understand," you say — your voice may wobble slightly.
"Don't worry," your pilot says. "I have flown with thousands of people. Your only job is to enjoy the view."
10:30 — The Moment of Take-off
Your pilot checks the wind. They look at the windsock. They speak to the ground crew on the radio.
"Wind south-southwest, 12 km/h. Perfect."
They pull the wing up from behind. The colourful canopy inflates and rises above your head. You feel the tension come through the lines.
"Ready?"
"Yes!"
"RUN!"
You run forward with strong steps. One, two, three, four, five… and on the sixth something is odd — your feet are no longer touching the ground.
You are airborne.
First second: a strange feeling in the pit of your stomach — like a lift going up, but much stronger.
Second second: the wind hits your face. Your eyes go wide.
Third second: you look down — trees and rocks are shrinking. You shout. Maybe a swear word escapes. That is fine, everyone does it.
Fifth second: everything settles. You are flying now.
10:31 — The First Minutes: From Adrenaline to Calm
Once the shock of take-off passes, an extraordinary calm fills you. The noise of the town, the stress of traffic, the daily rush — all of it stayed on the ground.
Up here there is only you, your pilot, the wind and the sky.
You settle into your harness, as if sitting in a chair suspended in the air. It is a comfortable position. Your feet dangle in space.
Your pilot: "How does it feel?"
You: "INCREDIBLE!"
10:35 — The Flight: A Guest of the Sky
Your pilot sets the route. You glide along the shoreline.
Below you:
- 🏖️ The golden sand of Cleopatra Beach
- 🏰 The historic walls of Alanya Castle
- 🌊 Boats floating on turquoise water
- 🌴 The green of the banana groves
- 🏙️ Buildings that look like toys
Your pilot searches for a thermal — a rising column of warm air. When they find one they bank gently and you start to spiral upwards. The altimeter climbs: 800… 900… 1,000 metres.
This moment is hard to describe. You are gliding like a bird — no engine, no noise, just the soft sound of the wind and the light rustle of the wing.
10:40 — Photo Time
Your pilot switches on the GoPro. "Look at the camera and wave!"
You smile — or you scream — and the GoPro records both.
You can film with your own phone too. Check your neck strap and switch to selfie mode. Alanya's panorama in the background makes a frame that will stop the scroll.
A tip: put the phone away for a while and look around with your own eyes. There are details no camera catches — the feel of the wind, the sense of depth, the feeling of freedom. Let your brain record those.
10:45 — Acro (Optional)
Your pilot asks: "Do you want a bit of excitement?"
If you say yes:
- Spiral: a fast turn — you feel the g-force, like the best ride at the fair
- Wingover: swinging left and right — like a swing, but in the sky
- Rapid descent: a sudden loss of height that lands in your stomach
If you say no: no problem at all. Your pilot continues with a calm, level flight.
10:50 — The Landing Approach
Your pilot: "Let's prepare for landing. Stretch your legs forward and keep them together."
The altitude drops gradually. The landing field grows. You can pick out people on the ground now.
Your pilot turns into the wind and makes the final turn. The speed drops as you approach the ground.
"Legs forward!"
And… a light touch. Your feet meet the ground. You take a few steps. You stop.
You have landed.
10:52 — After Landing: Back on Earth
Your legs may be shaking — the adrenaline has not finished with you yet. There is a smile on your face you cannot control.
Your pilot unclips the harness and takes your helmet. You shake hands.
"How was it?"
"The best experience of my life."
We hear that sentence every day, after every flight, in a different language each time. And it still gets us, every time.
11:00 — Photos and Video
Your pilot pulls the footage off the GoPro and transfers it to your phone. Typically:
- 📹 Raw flight video (5-15 minutes)
- 📸 Photos (20-50 of them)
- 🎬 An edited short video (optional, usually sent over WhatsApp within a few hours)
Files are shared by AirDrop, WhatsApp or a download link.
11:15 — The Ride Back
Our team collects you from the landing field and drops you at your hotel or wherever you asked to be taken.
On the way you will probably watch the video and say, "Did I really just do that?"
11:30 — Afterwards
You arrive back at your hotel or the beach. It is not even lunchtime and you have already had an extraordinary experience.
For the rest of the day:
- 🏖️ Get in the sea — Cleopatra Beach is right there
- 🍽️ Have a good lunch — you have earned it
- 📱 Post it — your friends will be jealous
- ⭐ Leave a Google review — it means a great deal to us
How You Will Feel Afterwards
The feelings thousands of our passengers describe:
- 🔥 The pride of "I added something to my life"
- 💪 The achievement of "I beat my fear"
- 🌍 Seeing the world from a different perspective
- 😊 A good mood that lasts for days
- 🔄 The urge to say "I want to do that again"
And yes — most people get hooked. The first flight is rarely the last one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the whole experience take?
About 1.5-2.5 hours from pickup to drop-off. The flight itself is 15-40 minutes.
When do I get the video?
The raw video and photos are transferred right after landing. The edited video is usually sent over WhatsApp by the evening of the same day.
Is there a toilet at the take-off site?
Facilities at take-off sites are limited. We recommend using the bathroom at your hotel before the transfer.
Can my friends watch the take-off?
Usually not — access to the Yunus Hill take-off site at 700 m is by vehicle only and bringing spectators is not appropriate for safety reasons. They can wait at the landing field instead.
Do I have to do acro during the flight?
Absolutely not. Acro is entirely optional and your pilot will only do it if you ask. A level flight is every bit as enjoyable.
Can someone who gets travel sick fly?
Yes, but choose a level flight and take a motion sickness tablet beforehand. Without acro, the risk of nausea is low.
