coleman@sundae10.DAB.GE.COM (Richard Coleman) (05/15/91)
Does anybody know of any wind tunnels in the southeast USA, preferably in Florida. I've got 13 jumps now (I did the AFF course in Deland) and thought that some time in a wind tunnel would be a cheaper and faster way to improve my control. Does anybody out there have any time in a wind tunnel that they could relate. Would this be a good idea? Would this be cheaper than the equivalent amount of free-fall time? -- Richard Coleman GE Aerospace Simulation & Control Systems Dept. coleman@sunny.dab.ge.com
jerrys@mobby.umiacs.umd.edu (Jerry Sobieski) (05/15/91)
In article <1991May14.180720.14179@ge-dab.GE.COM> coleman@sunny.dab.ge.com (Richard Coleman) writes: >Does anybody know of any wind tunnels in the southeast USA, preferably in >Florida. I've got 13 jumps now (I did the AFF course in Deland) and thought >that some time in a wind tunnel would be a cheaper and faster way to improve >my control. Does anybody out there have any time in a wind tunnel that >they could relate. Would this be a good idea? Would this be cheaper than >the equivalent amount of free-fall time? At this stage of the game, a vertical wind tunnel would probably show really marked improvements in your ability to fall comfortably stable, basic manuevers (forward docking, 360s, back-ins, barrel rolls, flips, etc). It is good for these things or for free-style practice. However, it won't teach you how to exit a DC3 or how to float a C182. You won't learn to track or how to concentrate on 5 different 4-way points in 40 seconds. It won't teach you to enter 20th in a 20 way. It doesn't promote altitude awareness (!) or spotting skills. You won't learn to pack or how to do canopy accuracy. But otherwise its great fun! Seriously...The point is: there is more to the sport than just freefall. I think VWTs have a tremendous training capability for basic skills which even experienced jumpers can profit from. I have jumped the VWT in Pigeon Forge, TN. and plan to go back as soon as I have time and money. But they are not the "Next Step" in the sport of skydiving. The Fly-Away tunnel in P. F. is about $10/10 minutes (as I recall). But you are inside with 2 or 3 other folks and are standing most of that time. So, you get about 2 to 3 minutes of air time for $10-12 bucks which does make it cheaper than jumping. But there is just something about being 2 miles away from the nearest solid object that makes freefall a little more exciting (:-). There is another VWT in Florida (Z-Hills?) either just opened or just fixing to open. Anyone else know about this place? Jerry -- Domain: jerrys@umiacs.umd.edu Jerry Sobieski UUCP: uunet!mimsy!jerrys UMIACS - Univ. of Maryland Phone: (301)405-6735 College Park, Md 20742
dmmst19@unix.cis.pitt.edu (Dennis M Moul) (05/21/91)
In article <1991May14.180720.14179@ge-dab.GE.COM> coleman@sunny.dab.ge.com (Richard Coleman) writes: >Does anybody know of any wind tunnels in the southeast USA, preferably in >Florida. I've got 13 jumps now (I did the AFF course in Deland) and thought >that some time in a wind tunnel would be a cheaper and faster way to improve >my control. Does anybody out there have any time in a wind tunnel that >they could relate. Would this be a good idea? Would this be cheaper than >the equivalent amount of free-fall time? There are three commercial wind tunnels in the Eastern US, as far as I know. They are: 1. Flyaway Indoor Skydiving - 519 N. Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 (615) 453-7777 I've been to Flyaway twice, and I had a great time. It was a lot of fun and helped my stability and awareness quite a bit. Tunnel time is about $12 for an 8-10 minute session. In a given session you get 2-3 minutes of actual air time, since there are usually two or three other people in the tunnel with you. They have some discount arrangements if you plan to do multiple sessions. The people there are very pleasant and helpful. Also, Flyaway runs "tunnel boogies" at various times during the year. Pigeon Forge is a crazy place. It was described in this group a while back as "mile after mile of cheap tourist attractions for 8-year olds." I can't think of anything more fitting than that. Just to give you the idea, PF is home to Dollywood, the national Dolly Parton museum. 2. Aerodium, Inc. - P.O. Box 248, McAfee, NJ 07428 (201) 827-5853 The Aerodium is in Action Park, New Jersey. I haven't been there myself, and their prices seem quite a bit higher than Flyaway's. $25 for first flight with 3 minutes of airtime. Introductory flight course $350.00 per hour. Advanced flight training, $125.00 per session (minimum 20 minutes long). General rate $6.00 per minute, $300.00 per hour. They have a full page ad in the May issue of Parachutist on page 37. Anyone who has been there, care to comment about your experiences? 3. Aerofly, Tampa's Airodium - Route 8, Box 877, Lutz, FL 33549 (813) 973-2981 Last I knew, Aerofly was under construction and planning to open sometime in '91. They used to advertise in Parachutist, but I couldn't find one in the May issue. Anyone know more about the situation with Aerofly? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dennis Moul dmmst19@unix.cis.pitt.edu Phone: (412) 682-2887 (H)
coleman@sundae10.DAB.GE.COM (Richard Coleman) (05/22/91)
|> 3. Aerofly, Tampa's Airodium - Route 8, Box 877, Lutz, FL 33549 |> (813) 973-2981 |> |> Last I knew, Aerofly was under construction and planning to open |> sometime in '91. They used to advertise in Parachutist, but I couldn't |> find one in the May issue. |> |> Anyone know more about the situation with Aerofly? I gave them a call. They have moved to a new location somewhere between Tampa and Orlando. It seems that the new location is built but they are waiting for the necessary permits from the county. They weren't sure of an exact opening date, but said it should be sometime this summer. When they do reopen, they will be advertising in SkyDiver and Parachutists. -- Richard Coleman GE Aerospace Simulation & Control Systems Dept. coleman@sunny.dab.ge.com