Wind tunnels are free fall simulators that incorporate a vertical cylinder where motors provide a controlled airflow set to match freefall speeds. Once in the airflow you can practise your skydiving skills. An operator adjusts the speed of the air to match the flyersʼ needs. You can practise and experience freefall with none of the trepidation you might feel when leaping from an aeroplane.
Why use a tunnel?
The wind tunnel is useful to get continued air time with focus on the freefall element of your skydiving skills. You can practise what you do in the air using the same inputs but without distractions and often with a coach next to you helping by giving instant feedback and instruction. Skydiving is basic physics – moving your body in the airflow propels you in every direction. Laying the foundation of a good aerodynamic body position will make all the other movements relatively easy. The tunnel is the perfect environment to work on body position and ingrain the basics of free fall flying.
How can I get the most out of it?
Have a think about what you would like to work on and set yourself some simple achievable goals. If you are a student jumper speak to your instructors, they may have specific ideas as to exercises that will help.Some suggestions:
- Basic relaxed comfortable nuetral position
- Ability to be stable and still
- ‘Read alti’, looking at left hand while not moving
- Practice pulls while holding a stable position
- Basic turns and stops
- Forward and backward movement, a great help to understand what your legs should be doing.
Where should I go?
Shop around, just as you would for a DZ. Ask questions about facilities, location, coaching and prices, including any off peak rates, bulk deals or student programmes. Choose a tunnel that meets your needs. If you are a student jumper make sure they understand what level you are at. See if your drop zone does trips to any particular tunnel and go with a group.
How much time should I book?
For your first tunnel session the initial flight of two minutes will be mostly spent orientating you to this new environment. Discuss with the coaches what would be enough time based on your goals – a reasonable amount can be achieved in ten minutes, eg, stable position, heading control and basic turns. Stick to less than 20 minutes for your first few sessions, for reasons of fitness, flexibility, hydration and allowing the coach to give verbal feedback. Ask about a DVD of your session to watch later.
How should I prepare?
Stretch. You are about to do a whole bunch of hard work and a lot of airtime. Being in the airflow for a long period of time is dehydrating, so drink plenty of water prior to the session. Wear a pair of trainers, loose-fitting clothes, and ideally gloves. The tunnel should kit you out with a jumpsuit, helmet, goggles, earplugs and perhaps a weight belt. Empty your pockets and remove all jewellery including your watch; things that come out may revisit you at high speed or break the tunnel 🙁
What should I focus on?
Get in as briefed by the staff. When in the airflow make a conscious effort to relax your fingers, breathe calmly and keep your chin up – this will help with your arch, basic position and control. Aim to fly in a still position and have your centrepoint, your belly button, over the middle of the tunnel. Itʼs your space, be in the middle of it, own it. Relax, smile and enjoy flying!
Carry out exercises as discussed, taking input where given. Always keep your chin up and spine straight with a comfortable arch. All inputs should be gradual until you feel movement and then held, eased off or stopped to deliver the exercise you want. Inbetween each flight, debrief as best you can with the coach. Try to identify one action to work on. Prepare for the next flight, drink water and mentally run through the sequence.
What should I do afterwards?
Chat to the coach and get feedback. If you have a DVD, keep it to show the DZ staff what you have learned. Itʼs okay to get a summary of your time in a page of your logbook. Your skydiving instructor will be happy to read these entries so they know what you have practised. Stretch again – ten minutes in the tunnel is like a dayʼs freefall.
Good luck and keep your chin up!
