ADRNALN 0 #1 February 11, 2002 Has anyone been to the FLYAWAY windtunnel in Pigeon Forge, TN? If so, was it a worth while experience? I have heard some tunnels don't have enough force to practice freeflying. How is the tunnel in TN?THNX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grogs 0 #2 February 11, 2002 It IS a worthwhile experience if you just need to work on your basic flying skills. The catch here is, you'll need to wear the baggy suits they have just to be able to stay up belly flying. Freeflying is out of the question there (at least it was last time I was there). Although the flyaway tunnels can be useful, most of their business seems to be from tourists rather than skydivers, so they never had freeflying in mind when they built the tunnels (actually, I'm not sure anyone had ever heard of freeflying at the time they were built). The only tunnel I know of in the US you can freefly in is the one in Orlando, and even then it takes some coordination with the people running it so they'll turn the fan up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lewmonst 0 #3 February 11, 2002 i did FlyAway once and it sucked. they don't care if you're a skydiver or not, you have to wear their suits, and they barely crank the airspeed up enough to get you off the net... then you only have 3 minutes of time for $25, which after the 15 year old in charge gets done showing off - i mean, showing you how to do it - is more like 30 seconds... and the air column is bellshaped, if you don't stay deadcenter you slide off. go to Orlando, made for skydivers not pigeon forge tourists.unless your willing to fork out the $$$ to buy enough time in flyaway, it's not worth it.lew Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumperpaula 0 #4 February 11, 2002 I've been to both Pigeon Forge and Vegas, but went as a tourist , not for skydiving training. I thought it was fun. It was different and it wasn't too expensive as long as you understand what your getting. A ride...Just a ride. Have fun, but don't have great expectations. Fly Your Slot ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #5 February 11, 2002 Our club goes every year (actually, they went without me this past weekend.) I understand it doesn't compare with the Orlando one, but skills can still be improved in the Flyaway tunnel. They most likely won't crank the air up, and you only have a small area to play in, but you can still learn how to make tight turns, stay in one spot, adjust fall rate, etc. The guys that ran the tunnel did some pretty groovy freeflying after the wind tunnel closed, so I'm guessing it's possible, just not to first-timers there. DRINK 'EM CUTE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountainman 0 #6 February 11, 2002 Laura and I went there during our honeymoon and I would have to say that it sucked. You have to wear the suits. Those suits make you fly the suit and not yourself. Then, we bought double time each (6 min each) and only got to actually fly for about 3 each. Those damn kids in there were showing us how it works instead of letting us in there. I was pretty damn pissed when I was done and will never go back and everyone who asks me, I tell them to not go there. It is totally NOT worth the money. Them bastards didn't turn the fan up enough, and I spent half the time laying on the screen on the bottom because it wouldn't push me up. And, it is expensive as hell once you figure out how much time you actually get to fly.SkyVenture is another story. From what I've heard, it is excellent and totally worth the money and they understand that people go there to practice skydiving and not to just "simulate freefall". (Which FlyAway doesn't even do.) I have pictures and video of FlyAway and have noticed that we totally got screwed as far as time. We paid for 6 minutes each and didn't even get 1/2 of that. So, if I were you, I would go to a big DZ, and spend your money actually jumping. Also, you won't have to hang out in that tourist trap.My family, Laura and I are going to Pigeon Forge this summer for 6 nights. So, we are avoiding that tunnel and doing some fun stuff.To sum up...2 words: don't go. 'Nuff said.JumpinDuo.com...come and sign the guestbook. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADRNALN 0 #7 February 11, 2002 Thanks for saving me time and money. I think I will pass on the Flyaway adventure. More money for real freefall!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danhole 0 #8 February 11, 2002 Pigeon Forge and Las Vegas are NOT WORTH IT!!They have the same general facility. Orlando has better facilities and is worth it for basic RW skills. I was in the Las Vegas wind tunnel and it was just worthless! -- The wind is not strong enough to teach useful (and lifelike) skills. To make any movement you have to over exaggerate movements to an absurd extreme. ALso the instructors had NEVER made a skydive!! Do you want an instructor who has never jumped? Go to Orlando or save your money.Danhole Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
