BravestDog 0 #1 July 17, 2003 I met a man who wants to start a vertical wind tunnel in the San Jose, CA area...and I was conversing with him about who the clients would be. My questions are: Would skilled jumpers use the wind tunnel for fun, or is it mostly used for the relative work competition jumpers for practice...? Or is a lot of the fun of skydiving packing the chute, dirt diving, waiting for the plane, the ride in the plane, the exit, and knowing you are falling at 120mph towards the earth...? I was trying to figure out who the clients would be that would use the wind tunnel? Would it be the beginning free fall students, intermediate jumpers, advanced competition jumpers, tourists one timers...? Your opinions appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #2 July 17, 2003 Vertical tunnels are under construction at Perris California and I guess soon to be at Elsinore Cali too. Issues are HUGE start up costs and I don't forsee the need or market for 2 tunnels let alone 3 with in a few hours of each other.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #3 July 17, 2003 mostly tourists if the location is right.. i was once told the tunnel in FL pretty much ran 20 hours a day for the first 2 years mostly on tourists.. now?? skydiving teams and individuals have seen the direct benefits of being able to practice a skill for more than 50 sec at a time, and tunnel time is booked in advance...____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cornholio 0 #4 July 18, 2003 QuoteVertical tunnels are under construction at Perris California and I guess soon to be at Elsinore Cali too. Issues are HUGE start up costs and I don't forsee the need or market for 2 tunnels let alone 3 with in a few hours of each other. You may not see the need for it, but for us NOR*CAL people, we do see the need. I was talking with a rep at the American Boogie and he said that they are indeed planning on putting one in the Bay Area, even right here in San Jose. Now having two wind tunnels within an hour of each other - that's a little more ridiculous than having one that is 5 hours away, don't you think ?? Butthead: Whoa! Burritos for breakfast! Beavis: Yeah! Yeah! Cool! bellyflier on the dz.com hybrid record jump Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjackson 0 #5 July 18, 2003 Right now the tunnel in Orlando is primarily booked by active skydivers. There are sometimes when the general public is in there but its only about 20%. I spoke with the Conatsers when they were in Orlando making the final plans for the tunnel in Perris. They seem to think that the DZ crowd and the people associated with them will be their primary market. With their location the tourist market will be slim to none. Not like it would be if the tunnel was built in Anaheim (next to Disneyland). With Elisnore so close (less than a hour) it will be interesting to see if the market can support two tunnels. It currently supports two DZs so it will be interesting to watch. The two DZ get into promotion "wars" at times so that competition could be good for everyone. If not we'll have to see which DZ has the deeper pockets and can win out in the long run. Good for people in Florida however. This will take some load off the tunnel here. More Slots! --------------------------------------------- Randy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #6 July 18, 2003 QuoteRight now the tunnel in Orlando is primarily booked by active skydivers. There are sometimes when the general public is in there but its only about 20%. Didn't they build a wuffo (smaller) tunnel next door last year? QuoteWith their location the tourist market will be slim to none. You mean that we won't be able to attract all the public that frequent the Railroad Museum next door? QuoteNot like it would be if the tunnel was built in Anaheim (next to Disneyland). Well, Anaheim lost out when they voted against it being included in an Extreme Park right down the road from D/L. Their loss. QuoteWith Elisnore so close (less than a hour) it will be interesting to see if the market can support two tunnels. Last I heard, the Elsinore tunnel isn't happening. (the story goes back and forth depending on who's telling it.) QuoteThe two DZ get into promotion "wars" at times... Elsinore and Perris are starting to work together again. Elsinore brought an Otter over to Perris for the Kate/Tony/Dan B.C. big-way camp last month! It was GREAT! ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #7 July 18, 2003 QuoteDidn't they build a wuffo (smaller) tunnel next door last year? There was never a plan to build a smaller tunnel near the existing tunnel. Last time I spoke with the powers that be, I was informed that the plan was to build a smaller tunnel near the entrance of Universal Studios. This tunnel would be smaller with lots of area where the tourist could watch other tourist flying. Since it would be targeted just for the tourist, less power would be used since smaller "fans" are the plan. edited cause I can't spellMay your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #8 July 18, 2003 Thanks. Last I heard it was going to be next door. It makes alot more sense to put it in a wuffo place like U/S. :^) ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #9 July 18, 2003 Or is a lot of the fun of skydiving packing the chute, dirt diving, waiting for the plane, the ride in the plane, the exit, and knowing you are falling at 120mph towards the earth...? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hee!Hee! There are a few perverts who enjoy packing. We call them riggers. Seriously, most skydivers find the ground stuff a distraction .. a means to an end, etc. As soon as they perfect wingsuits, we be able to do what we really want: jump, land, and walk to plane so we can repeat the process. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
