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We also welcome the coaches/instructors/aff/jm's in, you can stand right next to the air, experienced tunnel flyer or not, and work with your student, while our coach is present for saftey & guidance. However, here at least, we have only had 1 coach (tunnel trained too) come with a student, but he didn't want participate at all with the actual tunnel training. He did all the pre-training before their visit, but once the student got here, he just simply stepped aside. Altimeter checks are a good idea, we should get one of those that counts down even while your on the ground..one of my recurrency jm's made me use one.

I'm still wondering how long it takes the average person to get that far with you, we're getting folks who only want to spend 15 minutes in the air, are you able to accomplish this much, on average, in such a short time? We have been heavily discussing different ways to approach the AFF students that come in, as this has been extremely insightful.

So ultimately you focus on practicing their jump exactly as they will do it in the sky... How long do you find is it before your able to release them in the tunnel, on average, and have them stay with you.. I guess I'm asking..do your students learn stability & control this way too.. without focusing on how to control it, but just by being exposed to it through the 'practice jump' tunnel time? We usually (special considerations aside) start students with learning to enter the air, learning to maintain heading & altitude, learning to relax & not fight the air. From there we go into flying bigger and then smaller, with turns, and so on I see a glaring difference in the techniques for sure, is this what you mean RON by teaching too much, or advanced concepts? Should we be skipping the how to fly part, and focus on the learn to fall stable with the AFF students, actually going through a practice jump and practice pulls too? We of course want to provide a usefull service to the local dz's.. I know we can teach people to fly, but perhaps we've been overlooking something important with the AFF students, who have a different ultimate goal. Your input is greatly appreciated you know

Chuck, Ron, or anyone who has experience with this... I'm trying to understand this part.. I really want to. What does the non-aff tunnel rat do differently, in regards to instruction, or maybe it's the progression... I mean, in your opinion, what would be the way to teach an AFF student who has come to the tunnel..but with the end desire to freefall 'better'. Perhaps I'm asking more then, what is your 'preferred' teaching style in this situation and how does that differ from the say 'general' learn to fly class at your local tunnel. I'm asking because we have had a recent influx of AFF students, and I'm wondering, as a result of this thread, what we're NOT teaching them, that we SHOULD be.. since we're not jumping with them, it does make a difference. Of course any instructor can come with their student & work with them here but that's obviously not something that happens too terribly often. Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

I gotta admit, that's pretty cool, I'm amazed at how coordinated they are!!! It's like they are dancing in there.. is that what you guys do all the time in the tunnel? How in the heck do you remember what to do next? Are you able to do that in the sky too? Very different, I've never seen anything like that in the tunnel.. Recently my friend Rox & I have attempted to simply turn one point or two points It's so freakin hilarious, we are SO bad at it!!! I find it totally amazing at how different that kind of flying really is, how disciplined it must be! Very cool.. thanks for sharing! Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

I was going to go watch it, but I have to register Can you add a link to the file???? Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS #3

Hey there! We'll be there.. givin away more tunnel time.. Anyway, hows the camping over there? Should I get a room, or are there nice soft areas for tent dwellers? We'll have power cuz I've got to haul a big tv n stuff... but I need an awning/canopy to setup under... but I got NO MORE room in the car.. Anybody got an extra they can throw in the car for us??? Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

Hey Tammy... so, tell us, how did you feel after your second flight?

I backslid on my first AFF jump Generally.. tunnel rats use more arms than legs, yes. My AFF I explained how in the sky, our legs are our largest muscle.. and skydivers use them ALOT. This is sometimes an awkward transition, HOWEVER.. flying is flying, once you are proficient, the hand signals given by your instructor should be sufficient to correct any differences in your body position from the tunnel to the sky. It's a perspective thing.. AND no points of reference in the sky to tell you that you are backsliding, especially when your instructor(s) are doing their best to keep up with you.. I didn't notice it, anyway. I was stable, and totally flying, all the while though, I was flying backwards. A quick legs out signal corrected it and we were fine.. but I certainly didn't notice. until they said something. The rig made me overcompensate in the chest area I think, and yes, I hate to admit that Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

THANKS!!

which one do you like?

That's not a timeline.. the timeline is in the History section of Bodyflight Network! http://www.bodyflight.net/history_1941-1999.html starting in the 60's Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

Have you seen the movie Body Flight? It was available on Amazon for some time, but now I'm selling the only copies.. this would certainly help you learn about the development of the industry. Tina McCoy, the most amazing & graceful flyer, an inspiration to me and many others Added: I finally got to fly with her for the first time this year, it was like flying with my idol. She took a decade or so off, married a Golf Pro but is now flying with us here at AAC sometimes. She lives just outside of orlando now. Ann Marie Toto, inspiring because of her dedication and love of the sport.. undying regardless.. she has traveled to even more tunnels than I have Deanna Kent, rest her soul, who also helped to show us how to skydance in the tunnel (see clips in N.Kent's Willing to Fly) Joelyn Roberts, former Flyaway Instructor who's brother also became a tunnel rat (Robbie) Mary Tortamasi.. you know her right? Well, she's been around a while too.. started out a secretary I think to Marvin Crowder..way back in the beginning too.. she's local to you..a GREAT candidate for a historical interview.... There have been so many.....

yeah.. all that is part of my website... 200+ pages.. to much to put here on dz.com we are friendly with the original tunnel in Canada Levitationarium, now run by the children of the inventor of VWTs for human flight.. The timeline tells you where and when first flights took place too for the most part. Most all creative flying started at Flyaway Indoor Skydiving in Pigeon Forge.. back in the early 80's when Gus, Norman, Deanna, etc.. all came out her to train and do some filming with John & Phil and the crew there. It was the first tunnel boogie ever and that is where John, Phil, and many others got the original title of Tunnel Rats, from Gus. Anyway, early freefly pioneers, including someone everyone knows Olaf Z, after staying with John at his home, began freeflying and doing crazy things..with John, Phil & crew at Flyaway PF... John & Olaf did some jumping back in the 80's, I remember something about Nationals.. and opened up many eyes.. well.. it took off from there. Switzerland started out around then too and John & Phil went out there to train the staff.. stayed a year and had alot of experiences there, shaping their flyers.. the kids that flew with him then are STILL in touch today! Same deal at Flyaway Japan only for a shorter time and that tunnel closed so had little impact. We have so many photos, it's ridiculous, from the early days. Video archives to fill a hanger!! Anthony Stevens, the first real skydiver to fly at Flyaway who taught those guys how to fly (photo of that flight on my site). Vegas was behind the curve only because they were closed down for a few years in the 80's. this is all jumbled up I know.. just a few things off the top of my head Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

Texas has more tunnels than anywhere.. I guess that makes sense being one of the largest states we have here. El Paso.. Santa Theresa Airport.. American Dream Flying Maching - portable tunnel operated by Craig Waterbury.. perational privately.. and for sale. Houston.. Adren-L-N portable tunnel now closed COMING SOON: Adren-L-N 2 stationary L-1 VWT - land secured, license to build secured and construction will start soon. Located in a large health complex/mall COMING SOON?: ZeroGRoom - stationary SV VWT - delayed for reasons NOT due to $$ (now that's a change), not secured their "rights" yet that we know of but are under contract to buy a SV for the visitor center at the space center. Beaumont - Powerflyte - broken down in storage somewhere near Orange, probably will never operate again. Dallas: no details to disclose other than there is a tunnel in the works. Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

We're having one printed up soon! Glad to know some folks would want one.. Ours of course, has tunnel info & details in the cover, along with a quick history, and some COOL color graphics from a variety of tunnels... what do you think we should charge for them? Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

HEY! This is my corner of the market... I will soon have the name of the first ever female tunnel flyer.. anyway.. most of the pioneer women are friends with my hubby so.. it'll be easy for me to get those interviews. I thought you were looking for a history of wind tunnels by the topic, in which case I did that back in December.. Of course there is a new tunnel Aerodium Latvia that isn't in the list below.. but it's on my site along with a pretty thourough history of flight from 1500. Here's the december thread: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1379968#1379968 Here's the history of tunnels: Adren-l-n - completed in 2003; manufactured by Jus’ Fly; propeller driven; 1st prototype; currently closed. Aerodium - propeller driven machine built 1980-1981; patented in 1982; operational for 5-7 years after opening. Closed for unknown reasons, business is being carried on by the children of the inventor. Aerodium Mexico - built 2002 for military; small propeller driven; inadequate for training; Aerokart - completed in 2002;fan driven; french training facility; currently operational Airodium Zurich - completed in 1991; propeller driven; currently operational and successful. The swiss tunnel is keeps current with technology and currently sell a portable vwt design. Airodium Gran Canaria - completed in 2000; propeller driven portable tunnel; operating successfully since completion this tunnel moves little around it’s home in the Canary Islands Airofly #s 1 - 8 - propeller driven machines delivered to different locations; built to be movable with slow airspeeds of approximately 83mph; it is believed that all are out of commission as a result Airpower Arena - completed in 1996 after success with the portable unit they built first; currently operational Airpower Arena Portable - completed in 1985; propeller driven; possibly available for rentals. Airzone - propeller driven portable; location unknown; no other information is available American Dream Flying Machine - completed in 1991; changed ownership 3 times and is currently for sale; slow airspeeds of 80-90 mph Appalachian Amusement Center - completed in 2003; unique design, superior airflow & quiet, operational since 2004 Blue Skies America - completed in 1990; propeller driven; closed due to lack of demand Bodyflight Skydive Simulators LTD - purchased an old canadian propeller driven tunnel; considering operations, little progress since 2000 BodyFlying SportanLagen - completed in 1997; constructed for an exhibition; disasembled 1 year later Dr’Homme Volant - little is known about this facility which seemed to surface in 2002, extremely large suits have indicated extremely slow airspeeds; Egyptian Military - completed in 1998 by the Swiss Airodium Manufacturers; built for paratrooper training; currently operational with no public access Wright Patterson Air Force Base - completed in 1943 for military testing; in 1946 Jack Tiffany flew in this tunnel making him the first human to fly in a Vertical Wind Tunnel and making WPAFB VWT the first VWT used for human flight; closed. Moved operation to Ft. Bragg Flyaway Japan - completed in the mid 1980’s; propeller driven tunnel; operational for just a couple of years Flyaway Las Vegas - completed in 1982; propeller driven tourist facility; currently thriving* Flyaway Pigeon Forge - completed in 1982; propeller driven tourist facility; currently operational (*same owner) Freefall Xtreme - completed in 2002; mechanics unknown, fast airspeeds, currently operational Free Flight Indoor Skydiving - completed in 1990; not open to the general public; prototype Free Flight Skydiving School - completed in early 90’s operated on a DZ; small propeller driven tunnel; original burned down; rebuilt and disassembled due continued to structural failures Jetfly - much is unknown about this tunnel other than it was manufactured by Mistubishi and has been available for flights in Japan Ft. Bragg - completed for the military; no public access; fan driven; currently operational Bodyflight Bedford - refurbishing a military defense testing facility; currently planning to open in 2005 Mobile Aerodium - propeller driven portable; operational for several years in a water park; currently disassembled an in storage; reason for closure is believed to be a result of the water park closure/lost location Onera, France - science facility, used for human flight once for fun :) Party Zone - portable propeller driven tunnel, used for promotion of a Russian brewing company Powerflyte - completed in 1994; propeller driven; successful on a portable tour; changed ownership twice; refurbished by new owners; currently non operational due to budget Aerodium Isreal - unknown start date; operational until approx 2002; dismantled Skydive LTD - propeller driven portable; currently for sale Skyflyer - tiny 3 fan driven portable tunnel; no other information available SkyVenture Genting - completed in 2002; fan driven; currently operational tourist facility SkyVenture Orlando - completed in 1998; fan driven; currrently operational for skydiving training & tourism SkyVenture Perris - completed in 2003; fan driven; currently operational on a drop zone for skydivers Sundsvall Swededn - completed in 1999; propeller driven; currently run by a swedish skydiving team Terminal Velocity - completed in 1999; closed due to noise restrictions; for sale Tokyo Roof - unknown; no information is available Brazillian Portables - 3 propeller driven portable tunnels used as rentals and promotional aids throughout Brazil Twister -Nancy-Azelot, France, enclosed transparent tube, fixed Vertical Velocity - propeller driven portable unit; small and easy to move; currently operating successfully X-treme Air (now Lifted Entertainment) - propeller driven portable unit; purchased in 2002; currently operational Vuelo Libre #1 & 2 - slow speed propeller portable unit; sold & resold DISCLAIMER: Those are just the tunnels that have been built or were operational, that we could track and what we know. In most cases we had a photo that we had to track back to a tunnel, most of the time we are successful. Many more facilites have been announced but have still not completed construction on their projects and so are not listed here. If we missed someone.. please let us know! Also this post is long to edit, so please excuse typos!!! Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

Quit holding out on us, I know you've had at least test flights sooo.. tell us.. is it all we have been hoping for??

40 ways.. awesome! Should be good to watch then!! Will you be there? Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

Hey! We're going to the annual Skydive Carolina Boogie July 15-17, anyone else gonna be there? AAC's giving away another free block certificate in the raffle..& stuffing boogie bags... Arizona Airspeed is doing some skydiving camps too I read... so I figure some of you might want to know that... Anybody gonna make it over there?? Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

WHEW! Good to know, I was hoping our air time wasn't more than SVP! Anyway.. must be an exchange rate thing why it came out like that for me. Thanks for clarifying, and yes.. that's a pricey flight.. I guess they are hoping their branding will work for them in that respect, but as you have pointed out.. maybe not. The competition is heating up out there.. Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

I'm sorry I took so long.. it's just that every week I post my favorite photos on our home page..it was impossible to choose... I have them going back to 2003

I'm sure someone there (SVUK) will read this and respond to you.. we certainly don't charge that much for airtime & coaching. I had no idea you could get time at SkyVenture Perris so cheaply.. according to my exchange program that's just under $9 per minute! Appalachian Amusement Center Falls in between with 82£ for 10 minutes ($10 per minute) (1 EUR = 1.20802 USD) Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate

PMTS #17 Amy...first dock, & pmts group flight flying with Dawn #3 and Rox #6 PMTS #20 Tammy...first dock on her first tunnel flight!! Lookin good Tammy, who is also proud Pink Mafia Sister #190!!!!! Trying to organize a Tunnel Sister get-together on July 4th with the private fireworks display at the tunnel... come meet other sisters and join the fun!!!

I trade for most of my flight time... Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate