HUGE TUNNEL NEWS!

[Jessica 0]

(cross-posted in Talkback)
Sorry bout the formatting.
PRESS RELEASE - May 4, 2002
SKYVENTURE ACQUIRES TUNNELCAMP.COM; ALAN METNI BECOMES SKYVENTURE CEO;
FIRM BEGINS $7.65 MILLION EXPANSION INCLUDING ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA AND
NEW
JERSEY.
Today, SkyVenture announced its acquisition of TunnelCamp.com and the
construction of SkyVenture Arizona. Alan Metni, former Arizona
Airspeed
member and owner of TunnelCamp.com, will join SkyVenture as its Chief
Executive Officer. SkyVenture also made public its immediate expansion
into new markets with tunnels slated for construction in Southern
California, New Jersey, Chicago and Texas. SkyVenture recently begun
franchise operations in Malaysia and is building a tunnel in the UK for
its military. The company has the capacity and financial ability to
build
multiple units simultaneously.
SkyVenture Arizona - a second generation Vertical Wind Tunnel located
just outside Phoenix - will be less than 20 minutes drive from Sky
Harbor
Airport and 45 minutes from Skydive Arizona. Site selection, financing
and design are complete and the company has begun fabrication of the
enormous steel superstructure and components. SkyVenture Arizona will
reportedly be faster, smoother and quieter than previous SkyVenture
tunnels and superior to any other known design. SkyVenture Arizona
will
produce 45% more horsepower than its Florida predecessor and will be
optimized for the sport skydiving and military markets (as part of the
expansion plan, the Florida tunnel will also undergo substantial
upgrades). SkyVenture has filed for additional patents on many of the
improvements.
Bill Kitchen is the inventor of the SkyVenture Vertical Wind Tunnel and
the majority owner of SkyVenture. Kitchen built SkyVenture Florida as
a
working prototype in 1997. Its unique design employs multiple ducted
fans
situated above the air column to provide a flying experience almost
identical to freefall. The device has not only proved the concept but
has
been operating profitably for the last three years. Recently, teams
and
individuals of all skill levels have flooded SkyVenture with business.
As
a result, SkyVenture Florida is now running over-capacity, often booked
weeks or months in advance. The upsurge in demand has prompted the
large
expansion program announced by the company today. The company recently
completed the engineering and plans for a recirculating tunnel to be
used
in colder climates.
Alan Metni is a former member and manager of the United States National
Formation Skydiving Team, Arizona Airspeed, and the owner of
TunnelCamp.com. TunnelCamp.com has both benefited from and contributed
to
SkyVenture's success. TunnelCamp.com has trained more than 350
skydivers
of all experience levels at SkyVenture. Its popular training camps are
generally sold out 45 to 60 days in advance. TunnelCamp.com has flown
more than 900 hours at SkyVenture and is reportedly the largest single
civilian purchaser of tunneltime in the world. TunnelCamp.com plans to
offer training camps at SkyVenture Arizona and SkyVenture California in
the latter part of 2002.
For further information, please contact Bill Kitchen (bill@skyfun.com)
or
Alan Metni (alanmetni@pobox.com, 480-283-2603).
Taking nominations for new screen name.

[PhillyKev 0]

Sweetness....I'm hoping that Jersey location is near Crosskeys.
cielos azules y cerveza fría
-Kevin

[skymedic 0]

I didn't know there were any other DZ's in jersey....
so I am thinking they gotta put it near there....
Cheers
marc
Eat my altimeter Bitch!!!!

[rendezvous 0]

Some other ones are Skydive Jersey Shore, Sussex, and Sky's the limit. The first two operate Cessna 206 and 182 or 205, while STL has a 21 jumper Caravan, a King Air and a C 182 and is also open through out the winter.

[Stacy 0]

i would imagine so, in that metro area b/c of philly being there too. Rumor had it that camden area was a possibility but i'm not sure on the authenticity of that....
Stacy
http://users.snip.net/~stacy

[Jimbo 0]

Heh. That'd be nice. You can jump the tunnel and get your crack in one convenient trip.
Camden is yucky.

[skymedic 0]

Hey rendevous....I was joking...CK rocks...and the people there are awesome...I know jersey has a few other DZ's....and I am sure they are great too....
Cheers
marc
Eat my altimeter Bitch!!!!