Indoor sky diving is a unique way to experience the fun of outdoor sky diving without leaving the ground or just some feet away, with the help of a wind tunnel which is normally used to test a racing car and other vehicles make a jet of heavy air to support a human body. Indoor skydiving is the easiest and safest way to have experience the thrill of a freefall.

Most Indoor Skydiving Centers has an hour’s time of skydiving and in this specified time you will have 2 flights, in which you will be airborne for one minute each. Don't worry about a fear of heights, jumping, or falling. You'll start flying only feet above the ground, within arm's reach of a highly-trained instructor.

History

The first human to fly in a vertical wind tunnel was Jack Tiffany in 1964 at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. The first recreational vertical wind tunnel was developed by a Canadian company named Aerodium in Quebec. It was developed and patented as the "Levitationairum" by Jean St-Germain in 1979.

An important milestone in vertical wind tunnel history was 'Wind Machine' at the closing ceremonies of the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics[1]. This was an Aerodium unit custom built by Aerodium Canada and Aerodium Latvia for the sole purpose of the closing ceremony. Many people had never seen a vertical wind tunnel before, and were fascinated by the flying humans with no wires to keep them aloft.

Vertical wind tunnel. How Does It Work?

A vertical wind tunnel (VWT) is a wind tunnel which moves air up in a vertical column. It is a recreational wind tunnel, frequently advertised as "indoor skydiving" or "bodyflight". It is also a popular training tool for skydivers.

Vertical wind tunnels enable human beings to fly in air without planes or parachutes, through the force of wind being generated vertically. Wind moves upwards at approximately 120 mph, the terminal velocity of a falling human body belly-downwards, although this can vary from person to person. A vertical wind tunnel is frequently called 'indoor skydiving' due to the popularity of vertical wind tunnels among skydivers, who report that the sensation is extremely similar to skydiving. The human body 'floats' in midair in a vertical wind tunnel, and this is called 'bodyflight' or 'body flight'.
Four 250 horsepower fans circulate air around the interior of the structure, generating the same wind speed which skydivers feel during freefall. By learning to position yourself to balance on this airflow, you'll learn to fly your body the way skydivers do, close to mother earth and in view of your friends and family!
An operator is in communication with your instructor during you entire flight. Together, they'll determine the perfect wind speed for your size and skill level, and can send messages to you to help you get the hang of it. Both your Flight Instructor and the Operator are there for your safety.

Vertical wind tunnel types

There are two main types of vertical wind tunnels:
1. Outdoor vertical wind tunnels, including Aerodium and Appalachian Amusement Center.
2. Indoor vertical wind tunnels, including SkyVenture, Flyaway and AIR2TUNNEL.

Outdoor vertical wind tunnels can either be stationary or portable. Portable vertical wind tunnels are often used in movies, demonstrations and are often rented for large events such as conventions & state fairs. Portable units offer a dramatic effect for the flying person and the spectators, because there are no walls around the flight area. These vertical wind tunnels allow you to fly with a full or partial outdoor/sky view. Outdoor vertical wind tunnels may also have walls or netting around the wind column, to keep beginner tunnel flyers from falling out of the tunnel.

Indoor vertical wind tunnels include recirculating and non-recirculating types. Non-recirculating vertical wind tunnels typically suck air through inlets near the bottom of the building, through the bodyflight area, and exhaust through the top of the building. Recirculating windtunnels, form an aerodynamic loop with turning vanes, similar to a scientific wind tunnel, but using a vertical loop with a bodyflight chamber within a vertical part of the loop. Recirculating windtunnels are usually built in climates that are too cold for non-recirculating wind tunnels. The airflow of an indoor vertical wind tunnel is usually smoother and more controlled than that of an outdoor unit. Indoor tunnels are more temperature-controllable, so they are operated year-round even in cold climates.

Safety & market appeal

Indoor skydiving also appeals to the mass market audience that are afraid of heights, since in a vertical wind tunnel, one only floats a few feet above trampoline-type netting. Wind speed can be adjusted at many vertical wind tunnels, usually between 80 to 140 mph, to accommodate the abilities of an individual. Indoor vertical wind tunnels contain the person within a chamber through the use of walls. Outdoor vertical wind tunnels have either netting or inflatable cushions surrounding the airstream, to catch anyone falling out of the airstream. Wind tunnel flying is also a low impact activity, though warm-up exercises are frequently recommended prior to flying in one. As a result of the controlled safety of a vertical wind tunnel, the activity is generally suitable for participants of all ages. There is a maximum weight restriction of 114 kilograms. This is harmful for pregnant women and if you have any problem in your shoulders or bones you should avoid it.

World Wide Active Vertical Wind Tunnels  & Indoor Skydiving Locations