Fethiye will host a new first in the sky: WTTF excitement in Ölüdeniz

Fethiye Ölüdeniz is once again preparing to become the center of international air sports. The WTTF World Tour Of Free Style Flight aerobatics competition, which will be held for the first time this year within the scope of International Air Games Fethiye Air Games, will bring together elite athletes selected from around the world in the skies of Babadağ. Yasemin Yıldız, who has been coordinating the organization for 5 years, stated that the event is a great source of pride both for the region and for Turkey, and that Ölüdeniz hosts a huge air sports festival every year from Tuesday to Sunday in the 3rd week of October.

Yıldız emphasized that the organization has been held continuously for 26 years and hosted more than 1000 athletes from over 60 countries, stating, “These athletes register at different times throughout the year and are selected by passing the qualification processes. From the selected athletes, we first form a show team. This team continues their preparations for the performances they will carry out during the organization throughout the year.” 

Stating that the show flights are carried out from Babadağ departure points, Yıldız said, "Take-offs are made from Babadağ 1900, 1800, and 1700 take off points. Pilots perform their shows over the sea, accompanied by announcer commentary from below. Last year, we launched a live broadcast system on YouTube. We offered the audience a much more comprehensive viewing opportunity with footage both from the pilots’ own cameras and from ground recordings. Thus, both the spectators on-site and those following from different parts of the world were able to watch the shows live,” she said. 

Addressing the new competition added to the event this year, Yıldız said, “This year, we will hold the first stage of the Tour of Freestyle Flight in the free parachute branch in Ölüdeniz. The selection processes of the participating athletes are ongoing and the results are announced via social media,” she stated.

Commenting on the aerobatics shows, Yıldız said, “These pilots perform really challenging maneuvers in the air. It creates a very powerful visual feast and also a friendly competition among themselves. We expect very beautiful images to emerge,” she said. 

Yıldız noted that the organization, carried out under the leadership of Fethiye Municipality, counts Fethiye Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Babadağ Cable Car among its biggest supporters, and gave warnings regarding the preparation process for the athletes. Yasemin Yıldız said, “Participating athletes must definitely have sufficient flight experience. To keep flight safety at the highest level, we plan the airspace in advance and share it with all stakeholders. Commercial tandem flights are also carried out in accordance with this planning,” she said.