TheCaver

Technically, probably FlyAway in Pigeon Forge or AAC, but I'd recommend SkyVenture in Orlando..... JC

I guess I need to brush up on my physics. While the explanations above are interesting, I guess I am not getting the science behind it. If I stand on my head, wind tunnel or not, I would have the definite sensation of blood moving to my head. as my body is stationary while my blood is able to be further acted on by gravity. If I am in freefall (not in the tunnel), then my blood is actually moving at the same speed as my body correct? (minus the moderate amount caused by air resistance/drag). Any more thoughts? JC

Ok, so I'm still working on my sit, but I was wondering if head down feels the same in the tunnel as it does in the sky. I was thinking that in the sky, since gravity is actually 'working', then the blood flowing to your head is unimpeded, unlike the tunnel, where you are essentially suspended with gravity still acting on your bloodflow, etc.... Until I can find out for myself :) , maybe someone will enlighten me.... Cheers, JC

I've only been once when it was raining, and I never got wet. I think you're correct in that at the bottom of the tunnel, the pressure is so low that it doesn't have the strength to pull in rain. However, I have been hit on a couple of occasions by small insects (which sting pretty good if hit on bare skin :) . I'm sure Mike will chime in soon with the official word.... JC

I'm starting to think that its the material of the laces thats the issue. I double bow them VERY tight, but within 1 min of flying, they are flapping around. I've tried round and flat laces, but never 100% cotton ones. JC

I have some weird shoe issues going on For some reason, I've tried 2 different pairs of shoes and switching out the laces, but they will NEVER stay tied in the tunnel. Especially when backflying. So, lets have it, what brand of kicks do you wear in the tunnel (I notice a lot of skateboarder type shoes), and whats your best double knotting technique... I told you it was ignorant

Yea, that was a rather harsh statement. Especially since there is no evidence of that :) My apologies. I think what I was trying to say was that as our sport becomes more mainstream, and the client bases shift from skydivers & rats to tourists that we will increasingly see cases like these. And I think the IBA has preempted it by establishing themselves as that sanctioning body, at least for SV tunnels. Time will tell if the other brands 'accept' the IBA's system, but in business, usually first to market wins.... Now, if I can just get one of those Orlando guys out of the tunnel long enough to check off my progress (shouldn't take that long, ha!) JC

I see your point, but in several of your posts, there is some disdain for SV tunnels that I personally feel is unwarranted, but you know what opinions are like. It's my belief that SV offers a premium tunnel experience (no, I have not visited ALL of them yet), and the SV 'franchise' is trying really hard to become mainstream whereas these are not really the stated goals of the other brands. No crime there. But to offer this experience to the masses, playing by the rules may mean being a bit more strict on flyers that are not regulars to that particular tunnel. I kind of liken this to Disney or Universal compared to a state fair. Sure the safety restrictions are a little more lax at these local facilities, but you're far less likely to experience an accident. Yea, if you can't tell by now, I am a SV supporter, both financially and brand characterization. :) JC

I don't know about the above incident, however the IBA rating system and its overall mission are quite useful IMHO. While flying in the tunnel may not be as dangerous as actually jumping, you *can* still be killed. I was at SVO about 2 weeks ago when a tourist had grips on the exit door, lowered his legs to exit, then for some unexplained reason, lifted them slightly again, causing the wind to lift him into a head down position in the antechamber. He came VERY close to snapping his neck. If the instructor had not been there to grab his foot, I have no doubt in my mind that there would have been a very serious incident (not to mention ruin my block ) Just because we don't experience accidents doesn't mean they won't happen. If that was the case, noone would wear seatbelts in the car. In your case about flying different levels, its possible that the instructor had no way to know if you have experience in flying in or creating another flyer's 'burble'. I'm clearly talking out of my ass here since I was not there, but there are a myriad of factors that the instructor could have not allowed this action to occur. And in the end, the instructor is responsible for your life and the protection of the tunnel owner's financial well-being. I think the IBA's system will go a long way in letting instructors get a quick read on a flyer's skills, then evaluate them when in the tunnel. I am glad that they have finally opened their rating system to flyers to allow this, but the fact is, once an instructor knows your ability, they will allow you to go beyond your limits because they feel that they know how you will react when things go wrong. In any case, visiting a new tunnel where noone is intimately familiar with you or your parties skill, then expecting to do 'tricks' is unreasonable IMHO. JC

Maybe I missed it, but how the hell can a bunch of skydivers miss a game called Swoop to Nuts! http://www.swoop-to-nuts.com/ Again, forgive me if this is a repost :) JC

Very good point. We are in the beginning stages of this growth, and yes, for awhile I believe that demand will continue to outpace supply as the acceptance grows. Will there ever be a tipping point? Not sure, since VWT's as attractions are very limited in their throughput. With an operating profit of ~40% at ~80% capacity, there is definately a limit as to how competitive their pricing structure can get, but as maturation occurs in the public sector (again, as an attraction rather than a training tool), we'll see how tunnel owners and operators get creative in adding on additional revenue streams to their investments. Additionally, there has to be some room for technological improvement to reduce power consumption. Specifically, I wonder what effect increasing suit size by one size on all tourist flights would have on power usage. Bah, thats way off topic now :) JC

I can't begin to compete with your flying experience, but that seems like a rather audacious statement. To me, FlyAway's policy (though admittedly, I have not contacted them for their official position) seems a bit reckless, not exactly what I would call professional. In your post, flexible seems to equal negligence (IMHO). I have 2 kids and they love to fly, but being involved in the growth of several businesses in my life, I also understand that responsible companies sometimes have to do things that may not be popular with some individuals in order to protect us and themselves from potential disaster, even if the chances that it may occur are negligble. But to insinuate that SkyVenture is any less professional or understanding because of their corporate policy and desire to maintain their saftey record is absurd and unfair. Point of fact, they even restrict themselves in the regard that newer instructors are not allowed to fly with skydivers for safety reasons. Does this make them less professional? No, I think just the opposite. Some will see this as a big bad corporation protecting themselves, and that is partially true, however, in order to expand SkyVenture, as well as other brands, and bring our sport to a broader audience (as I'm sure you know, SV has been off and on in negotitations with a leading Mall developer to install 20 more tunnels over the next several years), they must play by the rules and make the hard decisions. This can only be good for all of us, more tunnel supply = less cost and mainstream acceptability. Cheers, JC

I think the blanket statement is always going to be a no, especially with underage, non-skydivers :) Also, if you look at the progression chart, the 30+ minute milestone comes before 2-ways.... Regardless, I think it even if a 14-year old demonstrated talent, you'd have a hard time convincing any SV instructor to allow flights with someone you had to sign a waiver for JC

I like the idea of an open face, its just something about those protec's at SV facilities that gives me an instant headache, especially when the wind gets into the bottom of the helmet, when doing sit or some belly manuvers. So the open face design of the RH combined with its lower jaw closure looked appealing. After all, I still suck and am just starting my sit flying so I need to hear all the instruction that I can :) In any case, it came down to either the Rat Hat or Mamba, and I went with the Rat Hat since I like underdogs :P With goggles it doesn't look nearly as cool as the Mamba, but hey, whatever..... If it doesn't work out, it'll be for sale soon and I'll be ordering a Mamba instead. I'll have to see how much teasing I get next time I'm at SVO :) Cheers, JC

Anyone have any feelings on this helmet? I get headaches when wearing the ill fitting (for my head) Protec's http://www.boneheadcomposites.com/rathat.htm Its either this, a Mamba, or Oxygn, but I kind of like the semi open face design.....And no worrying about the visor popping up..... Thoughts?