NeedToJump

I have about 500 jumps split between two Katana 120s loaded about 1.5:1 and have not had any cut aways on them. I have had the same issue that Ian's wife had (or jumper and he calls her ) where rolling the tail too much causes the canopy to stay cocoon shaped and then open up either in line twists or spinning. It's definitely caused by packing though, the canopy usually has extremely nice openings. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Did that come across properly? Can't wait to get over there and fly in that monster tunnel!

LOL! I'm glad you all enjoyed it, it soulds like it was a great time. One of the things I love about the tunnel is that you can bring almost anyone to it and they'll actually participate. It's a lot easier than trying to get people to skydive Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Then don't write student, it'll avoid confusion. Being a "student" has nothing to do with jumping from airplanes and everything to do with a willingness to learn. I definitely consider myself to be a student, regardless of having a skydiving license or not. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Same here. I jump a Katana 120 loaded at about 1.5:1 and I swoop and have competed in swooping competitions. I have absolutely no desire to jump a velo or anything more agressive than what I fly. I have over 500 jumps on my current canopy and can't *ever* see myself knowing everything there is to know about it. There's always more to do and more to learn. Take your time and learn it all well. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

But it's not the size, it's how you use it.... no, actually it IS all about the size!

At least in the case of the Ouragan tunnel suit that I wear, the ZP gives the suit a tremendous amount of lift without needing as much drag. My tunnel suit is still more baggy than my shy suit, but barely. It is no where near as baggy as the suit provided by the tunnels (or any other tunnel suits that I've seen.) As far as HOW it does that, I'm not exactly sure. You could email Nancy from Ouragan Suits and she could explain it all. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Agreed, but only 3 teams will medal at a world meet, there's a lot more than that competing. They're all "world class" teams since they're representing their country. That's my definition of "world class" at least. I guess if you define world class as medaling at a world meet, than no, they're not. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Great job guys! Post some pics!! Good to hear that Skydive Tortuga is doing well. I'd love to get there someday

Really? On March 19th they posted an 18.3 - you're not going to win a world meet with an 18.3, but you'll do quite well with it. I'd say that makes them world class. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Where's the option "because it's fun as hell!!!" ?? I don't feel like I'm training when I'm at the tunnel, just like I don't feel like I'm training when I'm skydiving. Other than when I was training for 4-way, it's just been about fun. Whether that's what vertical wind tunnels were originally "invented" to do, that's what the ones we fly today are designed, built and used for in addition to their own specific forms of body flight. From the SkyVenture Orlando web site: SkyVenture is designed for beginners to enjoy the sensation of free fall and body flight in a safe environment From the AAC web site: Skydivers practice in Vertical Wind Tunnels, which are also known as Skydiving or Free Fall Simulators From the Bodyflight University web site: The outdoor environment and the sound of the air rushing past you creates a truly realistic "freefall simulation" From the Flyaway Las Vegas website: Q. Is it like skydiving? A. Yes, the skills you need to fly the tunnel are the skills you need to skydive All of these tunnels seem to be saying that they can be used for skydiving or freefall simulation. I feel that in many ways vertical wind tunnels can accurately simulate freefall today. Air deflection is air deflection. If you are falling down through a column of air at 120mph or you have air being blown or sucked up past you at 120mph, you still have air molecules hitting you and defelcting off of you at 120mph. You might not have as much and it might not be as consistent, but it is still going the react the same way. It might not be the same, but it simulates a lot of it very well (IMO.) How could training in a wind tunnel increase your freefall skill if wind tunnels do not simulate freefall in "anyway"? Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

I have no clue about the Matter suits with ZP, but my Ouragan tunnel suit is made from ZP. Basically it gives me a lot of lift with less drag than a baggy suit. I've worn it in the sky doing fun hybrids - me freeflying with belly flyers without having any of us struggle. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

You can definitely get hurt in a tunnel, with or without walls. The instructors will give you a safety briefing before your first time. If you listen and follow the rules, chances are you'll be fine. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

No, your vertical speed is still much greater than your horizontal speed. Based on that logic, if you were flat then you wouldn't fall at all and only move horizontally. It also does not take the upper winds into account. Try it out - take a CD case, hold it at a 45 degree angle and drop it, see what happens... Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

for reservations and pricing go here: http://www.skyventureperris.com/tunnel/reservations.asp I'd suggest using their suits, but why not just call the tunnel directly and ask them? They'll know better about their own facilities than anyone else. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

I live 45 minutes from SkyVenture Orlando so I spend most of my time there, but I love flying every tunnel I can get to. For me it's all about having fun and meeting new people. Every time I've been to a wind tunnel I've had a good time

I've just started getting out and flying more than one tunnel and I absolutely love it! It's all about meeting new people and having fun

I think that sums it up perfectly. That's a wonderful perspective to look at it from, thank you Allen

I really don't understand what the point of messages like that are? What is the PMer trying to accomplish? Here's some pictures of people playing with barbie (who I guess won't be in the sport long because of it ) 4 Way Hybrid Another 4 way hybrid Obviously you can be good and play with barbie, those pictures have some rockin flying in them!

Paige is super hot!

I have a better half

I'm actually really surprised they published that pic since I am not wearing a helmet. I've changed since then and always wear a helmet when swooping (or jumping out of an airplane at all for that matter.) Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com

Try to find an experienced freefly coach to talk to and jump with. You'll learn more and you'll learn good technique instead of trying to figure it all out on your own.

Have you read half the posts in this forum? There are ton of people out there in desparate need of coaching who have absolutely no idea. "I'm special", "I learn faster than others", "I know what I'm doing", "you're just trying to hold me back", "I have over 100 jumps total and over 20 jumps doing 90s, I'm ready for a 270" ... Hopefully these people will get some coaching before the kill themself or someone else. Wind Tunnel and Skydiving Coach http://www.ariperelman.com