Bayramören is situated about 100 km far from the Black Sea and known as one of the best XC flying sites in Turkey. It is located in Cankırı Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey not far from Ankara.

Summers in Cankırı province are very hot with low rain. Winters are very cold with rain and occasional snow. 60% of the province’s land is cover by mountain ranges. In the North of the area there are Ilgaz Mountains which ridges cross Cankırı province from West to East. The highest point of Ilgaz Mountains is 2587 metres ASL.

Bayramören is famous for its long XC flights. Usually it is possible to fly over 100 km in good thermal conditions, some pilots even managed to exceed 200 km. The site XC record belongs to Yassen Savoy, who flew 239 km in 2009 there. This place also hosted international competitions - two Pre PWC were successfully held the in 2009 and 2011.

The flights are carried out along large and deep Bayramoren valley. The main and official site take off is called North take off because it has North exposure. It is located in the South of the valley. While surfing the web on this flying site one must be very attentive and check the take off coordinates as sometimes there is a mistake and the North take off is called South - by location not by exposure. In fact there is a South take off in the North of Bayramoren valley (S exposure 40° 58' 19.94'' N 33° 12' 33.72'' E 1317 m ASL) but it is not used for competitions any more as it is very dangerous. Strong back winds start there after 11 a.m. And the competing pilots never managed to make a task from there in past. This take off is not recommended for flying. There are some other tiny take off grounds scattered here and there in the mountains around the valley but they are not subject to event organizing.

Best flying season in Bayramoren is from May to September but during July and August conditions can be rather tough with strong thermal activity and recommended for experienced XC pilots only. Winter flying conditions may change too fast and cloud development may happen unpredictably. All this added to strong winds do not make winter a good flying season there.

July is considered to be the best season for thermalling and XC flights in Bayramoren. Generally cloud base is more than 2500 metres. Sometimes it can even be more than 3000 metres. Average thermal strength is about 3 m/s. Though in July thermals can be quite strong.
The peculiarity of the place is that Bayramören valley creates very strong thermals and CB clouds may develop very fast. It is possible to see +6 m/s thermal lift in core or even more but average lift will have speed of 3 or 4 m/s. Because of the altitude thermals grow very fast producing additional air movement. In the morning, before thermal gust, the winds are usually about 15 km/h there but as thermal gust increase they reach 25 km/h or more so pilots shouldn’t start late. For example at 10:00 o’clock in the morning the wind is less than 10 km/h but at noon with thermal gust it speeds up to 25 to 30 km/h and grows fast.
Best time to start flying is between 12:00 or 13:00 o’clock but thermal activity keep on going till 17:00 o’clock. Also in the valley evening thermals work well after 17:00 o’clock.

There is a large landing ground in front of take off. Also there are many large fields for safe landing to the South from take off.

Bayramoren North Take off
1700 m ASL GPS 40°55'56.41"N 33°17'19.33"E
Winds: N, NE and NW. The take of has N exposure. It’s a large perfect grassy ground. It is possible to lay 20 gliders at the same time. Slope descent is around 30 degrees and is totally clean. There is more than 50 metres of take off running distance. It is possible to make top landing before noon but in the afternoon during high thermal activity it could be difficult. The ground has a good road connection. It’s possible to come right to take off spot by car. The road from Bayramören to take off spot is almost 90% asphalt, only last few km it is a dirt road but still clean and passable.

Bayramoren Landing
1300 m ASL 40°57'23.38"N 33°17'29.82"E just in front of take off.

The take off video is here