From: gtnetdc@prism.gatech.edu (David Carter)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: Simulated Freefall Environment plus AFF question
Date: 31 Jul 92 19:14:23 GMT


synek@Cadence.COM (Kamil Synek) writes:

>I am new to skydiving (just did my level 1 jump and going onto level 2)
>and I was wondering if anyone knows about a place where they provide a
>simulated freefall environment.  Sort of like a wind tunnel, except the
>airflow is vertical instead of horizontal.

Yes, vertical wind tunnels do indeed exist.  I just tried (and didn't
pass) Level 4 twice.  The folks at the DZ recommended I go to such a place
to work on turns (as well as the stuff coming up in the other levels --
flips).  I wish they had recommended this before I tried level 4; I had no
idea that it might be so difficult.

The one they recommended to me (nearest Atlanta, GA) is called Fly Away, in
Pigeon Forge, TN (in the mountains south of Knoxville, kinda near Dollywood).
They sell packages of 5, 15, and 20 flights.  Each flight includes instruction
before, coaching during, videotaping during, and debriefing afterwards.  The
package prices are:

		 5 flights	$ 89	($17.80/flight)
		15 flights	$249	($16.60/flight)
		20 flights	$299	($14.95/flight)

Prices don't include 8.5% tax.  They also sell single flights for $14, but
I don't think those include coaching (intended for tourists who just want to
try it once or twice).  Each flight lasts about two minutes.

So for the price of the two botched Level 4's I did, I could have taken the
15 flight course and then probably banged out Levels 4 through 6.

They say that the fewer free falls you've done, the easier the wind tunnel
will be, since it's somewhat different.

A few years ago I heard there's a wind tunnel in Las Vegas.  I'll bet it's
probably still there.

> Now, I know some of you will tell me not to worry
>about it and just keep on jumping and I will get all the practice and
>experience I need.  And I agree with that but I also wanted to practice in
>a more controlled environment...

While I might have passed Level 4 on the third try, I think I would have
ended up repeating one or more of the next levels too.  So the wind tunnel
will almost certainly save you money.  The benefit is that you don't have to
worry about hitting the ground, you have more than 45 seconds per flight, and
the coach can pull you to the side and yell instructions to you.  The
disadvantage is that you have to work harder to stay in the center of the
air column, unlike a skydive where you can slide in any direction.


Question for other rec.skydivers:

How many jumps do people usually require to complete AFF?  Which ones are
most often repeated?

When I signed up, the DZ hinted that it might take an extra jump (they offered
one free repeat jump if I paid for all 7 up front).  But I (naively) thought
that only stupid people who didn't thoroughly learn each jump would have to do
a repeat.  I knew exactly what I was supposed to do on Level 4, but didn't
realize (and was not told beforehand) that so many subtle things could
interfere with the turns I was supposed to do.  I'm actually quite disappointed
in them for not telling me up front (and myself for not thinking to ask them).


David Carter
Internet: gtnetdc@prism.gatech.edu
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