quade 4 #1 February 25, 2003 http://www.pe.com/localnews/southwest/stories/PE_NEWS_nwind22.a2355.html Quote Indoor sky diving Companies plan a wind tunnel in Lake Elsinore for safe jumping by experts and amateurs 02/22/2003 By VANESSA COLÀON THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE LAKE ELSINORE - Artificial winds bellowing from beneath Lake Elsinore may blast people into the air by the end of the year. Two companies plan to build a $2.5 million indoor sky-diving facility, where thrill seekers can soar above 150 mph winds without touching the sky. Marissa Partners and Aero Systems Engineering hope to complete the wind tunnel by December. Called Tunnel VS 1, the facility will serve Southern Californians who want to experience indoor skydiving. Perris hopes to complete a facility near the Perris Valley Airport and Las Vegas already has a similar tunnel called Flyaway Indoor Skydiving. "We believe everyone wants to experience flight," said Bruce Federici, manager of Marissa Partners. "It's my vision to develop indoor skydiving," Federici said. "We believe there's a large market for it." Indoor sky divers simply enter the tunnel and immediately float in the air with powerful winds made from eight fans submerged 20 feet below the ground. The facility, 14 feet in diameter, will sit at the corner of Corydon and Mission Trail near Skylark Airport, where parachutists currently board and jump from planes. "It will draw people to our area," said Robert Brady, the city's community development director. "It will be an attraction." The project has to submit applications and receive design, land-use and other permits before it lifts off, Brady said. For sky divers, the facility will provide a place to polish skills. "It's a good way for people to practice stability and turns," said Gerald Bourquin, 69, a sky diver who lives in Murrieta. "It's mainly for people interested in free fall." Before stepping into the tunnel, thrill seekers would receive an hour of training with an instructor. Each indoor sky diver would pay about $45 for a 2-minute ride. The cost includes the training, use of a cotton suit, a helmet, goggles and ear protection devices, Federici said. The tunnel will be open to all ages. "The majority of the population are risk averse but flying is something everyone can enjoy in a safe and controlled environment," Federici said. A protective mesh will blanket the large fans, buried within a cement basement. The inner mesh layer keeps out bugs, leaves and twigs. An outer layer keeps large objects such as animals and people away. Thick padding will cover the walls of the flight chamber where indoor sky divers float. They also are protected from shooting out from the tunnel's top. Sky divers will fly to a certain height well below the ceiling -- and then stabilize as they hover within the chamber. Speed will be monitored and controlled by a flight chamber operator. Wind speeds are adjusted depending on weight and size of the divers. If the fans shut off, the winds slow down in steps and the sky divers eventually land safely on the floor, Federici said. Reach Vanessa ColÀon at (909) 587-3137 or vcolon@pe.com quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blewaway5 0 #2 February 25, 2003 Lucky sob's in SoCal When do you think they'll build one in K.C. Missouri? Truman Sparks for President Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
curtismelaniej 0 #3 February 25, 2003 Thanks, Quade. __________________________________________________________ http://www.skydiveelsinore.com/teams/EXCEL/basic_camp.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weid14 0 #4 February 25, 2003 Quote If the fans shut off, the winds slow down in steps and the sky divers eventually land safely on the floor, Federici said uh-huh.... my experiece has indicated otherwise.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #5 February 25, 2003 Cool. But I might have to make a road trip to Orlando before the year end. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clownburner 0 #6 February 26, 2003 Do you think the tunnel in Las Vegas would be worth a trip from So Cal for a beginner? It'd be a nice way to get a lot of freefall practice, if their coaching is any good, without having to wait until the Elsinore/Perris facilities are built at the end of 2003. Anyone try it?7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weid14 0 #7 February 26, 2003 QuoteDo you think the tunnel in Las Vegas would be worth a trip from So Cal for a beginner? It'd be a nice way to get a lot of freefall practice, if their coaching is any good, without having to wait until the Elsinore/Perris facilities are built at the end of 2003. Anyone try it? well, you could go and have some fun, I'm sure, but you would be flying a suit and not your body. the ft bragg/skyventure tunnel design is much better suited for practicing free fall manuvers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #8 February 26, 2003 Is Bruce Federici also known as Fruce? It looks like Fruce.com has turned into Marissa Partners' home page. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #9 February 26, 2003 http://www.fruce.com/thetunnelvs1_webpage/contact.htmlquade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #10 February 26, 2003 Yep, Fruce is Bruce. He's a cool guy, and his VS1 t-shirt is holding up well in the wash too! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
