Airspace, now being built, is scheduled to be open in February 2014, and will be the first wind tunnel in Belgium. Its founders are Belgian skydivers Eddy Vande Vonder, and Steve Braff.
Location, Location, Location
The tunnel is located right next to Brussels Charleroi airport. So, while flying in the tunnel or sitting at the lounge you will be able to see the big aircraft and small private jets taking off and landing. It’s not just located there for the view, it’s a marketing move to place the wind tunnel with prime access for the rest of Europe. Charleroi airport sends planes to more than 80 destinations, and flights are generally cheap as it’s mainly for budget airlines. No rig needed – so no getting stung for excessive baggage charges! The main airport for Brussels is only 30 minutes away, this links to the rest of the world.
Size and Technology
The owners made the decision to dig 15 metres deep, so that customers can access the flight chamber without climbing stairs. The tunnel is built to the same technology as Bottrop tunnel, Voss Vindi (Norway) and one in St Petersburg (Russia); from ISG, Indoor Skydiving Germany. With regard to the dimensions of the flight chamber, they opted for the diameter recommended by the manufacturer, of 14 feet (4.23 meters), but the height is 5 meters, higher than ISG. The plans include everything else you could wish for, with briefing rooms, creeping areas, big screen, dj sets, bar and lounge bar.
Comment
Steve Braff and his lovely wife Magali are well known expert freeflyers and coaches, and were on the recent European head-down record. Steve commented, “Everyone is working super hard to get it ready. We are very excited. “It will be a Bottrop technology but we will have 1 meter extra glass for the flight chamber which will be insane.”
