seadream91 0 #1 November 16, 2008 Anyone familiar with the Raeford DZ and wind tunnel know if it's possible to get wind tunnel time with an instructor apart from AFF class? I'm planning to do my AFF training in the spring through a DZ that's closer to my hometown but thought some wind tunnel time prior to the start of class might be beneficial. Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AtomF 0 #2 November 16, 2008 I've heard Raeford is an awesome wind tunnel. I personally flew first in the one in Orlando, and from that I would say that it would definitely help you learn to fly. Personally, I would start jumping first, then when you know what you need to improve on and the little quirks that might irritate you (at least I had them) take it to the tunnel. Your instructors would definitely love you for going whenever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unparagoned 0 #3 November 16, 2008 www.paracletexp.com FIRST TIME FLYER - XP Flight School - Price from $225.00 Looks good. Doing it first will also mean you have more comfidence when you actually jump and reduces the chance you will need to repeat a level. 10 min is a good amount of time to get used to flying and being able to do stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seadream91 0 #4 November 16, 2008 Oops, I just saw there's a whole section in this forum for wind tunnel discussion. I guess I posted this in the wrong place. Chalk it up to a newbie whuffo ... sorry! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seadream91 0 #5 November 16, 2008 Quote www.paracletexp.com FIRST TIME FLYER - XP Flight School - Price from $225.00 Looks good. Doing it first will also mean you have more comfidence when you actually jump and reduces the chance you will need to repeat a level. 10 min is a good amount of time to get used to flying and being able to do stuff. THANKS!! Just what I was looking for! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
I3uller 0 #6 November 16, 2008 Quote Quote www.paracletexp.com FIRST TIME FLYER - XP Flight School - Price from $225.00 Looks good. Doing it first will also mean you have more comfidence when you actually jump and reduces the chance you will need to repeat a level. 10 min is a good amount of time to get used to flying and being able to do stuff. THANKS!! Just what I was looking for! A couple of my buddies that did the AFF at Raeford said that they were all over the place in the wind tunnel but when they actually jumped they were much better at keeping control. I would chalk that up to the wind tunnel experience. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonTheGeek 0 #7 November 16, 2008 I went through the AFF course at Raeford including the tunnel time at ParacleteXP. I'll second what's been said: You'll probably be all over the place in the tunnel and if you're anything like me you'll be frustrated beyond belief at your lack of control -- I'm one of those type-A perfectionists that wants to be able to do everything perfectly. Heh. That being said, once I was actually jumping I was very comfortable getting stable once I was out of the plane. I think the tunnel really forces you to be much more precise with your body position. Plus, the tunnel is a lot of damn fun. The crew at RPC is also amazing so that helped a bunch, too. The AFF instructors and coaches are really focused on making skydivers out of their students. Even on the busiest of weekends with fun jumpers, tandems, and everyone else coming through they'll make sure you get all the instruction and jumps that you want. I'm really glad I found them! Now, if my back would just heal so I could get back to jumping ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
angiecalin 0 #8 November 17, 2008 Was at both the Raeford DZ & Wind Tunnel (Paraclete XP) today. They're awesome coaches, check it out... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seadream91 0 #9 November 18, 2008 QuoteI went through the AFF course at Raeford including the tunnel time at ParacleteXP. I'll second what's been said: You'll probably be all over the place in the tunnel and if you're anything like me you'll be frustrated beyond belief at your lack of control -- I'm one of those type-A perfectionists that wants to be able to do everything perfectly. Heh. That being said, once I was actually jumping I was very comfortable getting stable once I was out of the plane. I think the tunnel really forces you to be much more precise with your body position. Plus, the tunnel is a lot of damn fun. Quote I'm not sure if I want to do another tandem or not before I start my AFF. I'd thought about it strictly from the standpoint of having another jump another my belt (since I won't be starting AFF until spring) and to get a little more canopy flight instruction. But I DEFINITELY think I'm going to do some tunnel time at Raeford this winter. I think that will give me alot of extra confidence as far as body stability at the beginning of AFF class. Thanks for all the input! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bob.dino 1 #10 November 23, 2008 Raeford is a great place to play in the tunnel. Let the instructor know that you'll be doing AFF in the spring and they'll tailor the training to that. You'll have a ball :-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites tps7c 0 #11 November 26, 2008 I can't say enough good things about the Raeford tunnel and their staff. I've been there three times, and it's always a great experience. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites mkmarkow 0 #12 December 25, 2008 If you do your AFF at Raeford, their first jump course includes time in the tunnel as well as instructors to work with you at both. They're awesome about it, you'll be learning from some of the best. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Beckert 0 #13 January 19, 2009 I just went to Raeford this weekend and can never say enough positive things about it! It was awesome and I learned even more than I thought I would. I am already planning on returning next year! I highly recommend this tunnel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites matthewcline 0 #14 March 13, 2009 http://www.wcnc.com/traveler/stories/wcnc-031309-mw-indoor_skydiving.2f68403e.html This ran today and is making the net rounds. MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites adamx 0 #15 March 15, 2009 Not familiar with the DZ at Raeford, but the tunnel is pretty nice. I say go for it! I've got 6 AFF jumps and 25 minutes in the tunnel, and while its hard to tell where i'd be without the tunnel, I really doubt i'd be as comfortable as I am now. Just did 10 minutes last night.. My up/down, forward/backward, and arm turns felt solid and all around controlled. Worked on leg turns and side slides for the first time, they were sketchy but.. existent . Just being able to maneuver myself where I wanted/when I wanted was great. And not bouncing off the net/walls like a pinball machine is nice :) Go for it, if you're like me you love to learn.. And there's a wholllllle lot to learn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
bob.dino 1 #10 November 23, 2008 Raeford is a great place to play in the tunnel. Let the instructor know that you'll be doing AFF in the spring and they'll tailor the training to that. You'll have a ball :-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tps7c 0 #11 November 26, 2008 I can't say enough good things about the Raeford tunnel and their staff. I've been there three times, and it's always a great experience. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mkmarkow 0 #12 December 25, 2008 If you do your AFF at Raeford, their first jump course includes time in the tunnel as well as instructors to work with you at both. They're awesome about it, you'll be learning from some of the best. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beckert 0 #13 January 19, 2009 I just went to Raeford this weekend and can never say enough positive things about it! It was awesome and I learned even more than I thought I would. I am already planning on returning next year! I highly recommend this tunnel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthewcline 0 #14 March 13, 2009 http://www.wcnc.com/traveler/stories/wcnc-031309-mw-indoor_skydiving.2f68403e.html This ran today and is making the net rounds. MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adamx 0 #15 March 15, 2009 Not familiar with the DZ at Raeford, but the tunnel is pretty nice. I say go for it! I've got 6 AFF jumps and 25 minutes in the tunnel, and while its hard to tell where i'd be without the tunnel, I really doubt i'd be as comfortable as I am now. Just did 10 minutes last night.. My up/down, forward/backward, and arm turns felt solid and all around controlled. Worked on leg turns and side slides for the first time, they were sketchy but.. existent . Just being able to maneuver myself where I wanted/when I wanted was great. And not bouncing off the net/walls like a pinball machine is nice :) Go for it, if you're like me you love to learn.. And there's a wholllllle lot to learn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites