[Mavi Gogun]

This last week end saw what was likely the largest non-comp gathering of hang glider pilots in Turkey outside of the National (read: military) school or the World comp scene. There were 10 gliders, maybe 15 pilots.

So, we're sitting around camp; I've just encouraged a bit of amateur instruction to halt (citing the presence of strong mid-day thermals and powerful, gusting wind), and have returned to the shade. A student pilot produces an İPad, and pilots (mostly all low-air time) gather around to play with a pre-flight safety interactive pamphlet featuring Paul Voight and enough eye-candy to hold their attention. Once the buzz around that began to lull, another new pilot offered a video on his cell phone of some dude thermalling over mountain tops... with a distinct blue instrument pod to the left of the control frame. The group was excited because the flight was on a Falcon; for them, it demonstrated that spectacular flying may be had on a glider appropriate to any skill level; it said, in essence, that the promise of flight was obtainable- and didn't require reaching for more kite than they were ready for.

In this strange new world, Paul and Jonathan's work has reached far afield and made a positive impact. Pretty damn cool.

[NMERider]

[Phoenix]

That is pretty cool! What is the altitude of launch there?

[Mavi Gogun]

It is a regional training site- mountain top pasture. The primary launch is at 1525 meters MSL, affording about 140 meters of altitude over the LZ.

You may find a limited Google Maps notebook of some of the places I'm familiar with in Turkey, here:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211307786612814422116.0004a0b52378af2f78f92&msa=0&ll=40.592708,31.248786&spn=0.006681,0.013797

-and a much larger resource, here:

http://www.paraglidingforum.com/leonardo/page/sites

[TomGalvin]

Finally got around to translating your forum name. Nice!

[snowbird]

Don't make us hunt, Tom G!

So what does the name mean? (Maybe unknown son of PM Erdogan?)

[st1lgar]

http://translate.google.ca/?sugexp=chrome,mod%3D3&q=Mavi+Gogun&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wT

[Spark]

I like your forum name, Christopher

[Bobfly]

Great story! Hail the power of the internet. I once lived in Turkey as a young child. I believe it was in Inchulik (sp?). I have a sister that was born in Ankara.

[Mavi Gogun]

Glad the monicker is met with approval. I've Anglicized the characters (rather than transliterate) as registration often limits character choices. "Mavi" = "blue", "gök" = "sky"; adding the second person possessive affix "n" requires the "k" be transformed to the vowel extender "ğ". Written properly, "mavi göğün", or "your blue sky"- an affectionate self reference intended for my wife.

[gluesniffer]

Mavi, I thought I remember a post where you said it meant spear chucker...seriously

[Mavi Gogun]

[gluesniffer]

Mavi I know there was a post at some point where someone, maybe you, translated the name as spear chucker. I guess someone else posted it as a joke. I happened to to think it was a clever name. I don't know what perjoritave means ill have to look it up Mr smarty pants. I do know I meant nothing negative by my post earlier. And the other post I mentioned a significant other, not your wife, as I don't know who you are. You could be married to a donkey I don't give a fuk, my point was your tendency towards arguments. So don't get butt hurt, I was just trying to be friendly with my last post.

You have my word I will never respond to any of your posts again, toodle loo

[Mavi Gogun]

[tom emery]

I woke up early (4:30 am EST) and of course went immediately to this site. Now, I haven't had any coffee,
so if this sounds a little fuzzy, well, there is my excuse.
I was just wondering, what's up with all the bickering?
And: how is the weather (rad count) in Prypiat?
That is all. Good morning.(night?)

[steve prater]

[TomGalvin]