Flow in the Sky: A Qualitative Appraisal of Paragliding Pilots’ Flow Experiences

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the in-flight flow experiences of seasoned paragliding pilots, as narrated in their first-person accounts, and to elucidate the core dimensions of these experiences from a qualitative perspective. The research adopts a qualitative design grounded in a phenomenological approach. Using purposive sampling, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 20 pilots who each had at least three years of paragliding experience. Data were coded with MAXQDA software and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis yielded five overarching themes and ten subthemes: (1) Altered Time Perception; (2) Challenge–Skill Balance and Flow; (3) Loss of Self-Awareness; (4) Sense of Control and the Feeling of Flow; and (5) Autotelic Experience and Its Reflections in Daily Life. The findings indicate that the flow state experienced during paragliding is shaped by psychological processes such as altered time perception, diminished self-awareness, and a heightened sense of control; that it deepens when the challenge–skill balance is achieved; and that, as an autotelic experience, it carries positive spillover effects into everyday life.

Keywords

• Paragliding
• flow experience
• reflexive thematic analysis
• extreme sports
• sport psychology
• MAXQDA

Gökyüzünde Akış: Yamaç Paraşütçülerinin Akış Deneyimleri Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı, deneyimli yamaç paraşütü pilotlarının birinci elden anlatımlarına dayalı olarak uçuş sırasında yaşadıkları akış deneyimlerini incelemek ve bu deneyimlerin temel boyutlarını nitel bir bakış açısıyla ortaya koymaktır. Araştırma, fenomenolojik yaklaşıma dayalı nitel bir desenle yürütülmüştür. Amaçlı örnekleme yöntemiyle seçilen ve her biri en az üç yıllık yamaç paraşütü deneyimine sahip 20 pilot ile yarı yapılandırılmış bireysel görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler MAXQDA yazılımı kullanılarak kodlanmış ve refleksif tematik analiz yöntemiyle çözümlenmiştir. Analiz sonucunda beş ana tema ve on alt tema belirlenmiştir: (1) Zaman Algısında Değişim, (2) Zorluk–Beceri Dengesi ve Akış, (3) Öz-Farkındalık Kaybı, (4) Kontrol Hissi ve Akış Duygusu, (5) Ototelik Deneyim ve Günlük Yaşama Yansımaları. Bulgular, yamaç paraşütü sırasında yaşanan akış durumunun zaman algısındaki değişim, azalan öz-farkındalık ve artan kontrol hissi gibi psikolojik süreçler tarafından şekillendiğini; zorluk–beceri dengesinin kurulduğu noktada derinleştiğini; ayrıca ototelik bir deneyim olarak gündelik yaşama olumlu yansımalar taşıdığını ortaya koymaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Yamaç paraşütü
• akış deneyimi
• refleksif tematik analiz
• ekstrem sporlar
• spor psikolojisi
• MaxQda

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