tunnelfly

...and they all swallow... ... lots of money! No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Bodyflying Switzerland was retrofitted two years ago. The flight area was enlarged by about 30% (area, not diameter). A more powerful motor, new prop, and a detachable "airpipe" made this tunnel "skydiver-friendly". No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

...because the tunnel is much closer than the nearest dropzone and because I can fly even when the weather sucks... No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Has anyone freefall experience with this one? I played around with it at the shop and was surprised of the picture quality, better then most other "chip" cameras. Sure, it's not for pros, but it's small in size and at less than 300 grams, it might certanly keep my neck happy... My only concern is the OIS, since other cams seem to have trouble with it in freefall. No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

...lonely nights in Gwangyang (South Korea). I made the shisha (as we call it) myself and illuminated it with blue LEDs an a red laser diode. The bargirls loved the lemon and pepermint flavours. No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Does that mean Bodyflight Bedford has the motor for a 40 ft (yes, forty!!) tunnel? When you start calculating in area rather than diameter, you find out pretty soon that 1600 hp for a 16 ft tunnel is quite low... No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

There was a plan to build one on a barge in Manhattan, but since they haven't started construction, I don't think it will be running any time next year... No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

There's no tunnel in Dubai. I also haven't heard of any plans for a commercial tunnel. There is one under construction in Abu Dhabi (SV), but it's military... Last I heard is that it should be commissioned by the end of this year. But it's been "under construction" for many years now, so I'd be very surprised if it will be running next year... (not SV's fault, of what I know). But I'll be in the Emirates next week and plan to do some jumps while I'm there. If I hear some news I'll post them... Edited to add: BTW, what's the status of the "Wind-Tech" tunnel in south africa? Is it still running, and how is it? No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Adaptors DO exist, but as DSE mentioned, there are no flash memory cards available right now that could handle the data rate required for a DV stream. All the solid state video cameras on the market right now save compressed video (mpeg2/mpeg4) to the memory. No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

The internet service on commercial airplanes will no longer be available next year (read here). You might be able to get some cheap used satellite connection equipment to hook up in your cessna then... No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Nice job... ...too bad we cannot see you flying inside edited: ok, I see why there's noone flying... there are no fans installed yet!!! No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Thanks for the reminder, Paige! We haven't done that for a while in Switzerland, it's about time again... (there should be a video somewhere, trying to find it...) It's cool at a party/special event , especially combined with strobe lights and smoke. But not really suitable for day to day flying, let alone training... BTW, that part in Norman Kent's "Willing to fly" actually inspired me to start playing with fire in the tunnel... No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Stay at one of the hotels in Genting. You can check the rates online at http://www.genting.com.my/en/accommodation/index.asp. You can get a cheap room if you avoid weekends and holydays. No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Finally... A perfect tunnel needs a perfect website. Now I know why it took so long... Very well done !!! Cheers to all at Bodyflight No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

It's been a while, since I last flew in Genting, but I remember a retired Air Force Captain who was there with some AFF-Students. I've attached a scan of his business card. The easiest is probably to call the guys at the tunnel. If they can't provide AFF-specific coaching themselves, I'm sure they can hook you up with someone who can... No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Some info about the noise level at Fort Bragg... http://www.stormingmedia.us/51/5155/A515504.html BTW, according to this article, wind tunnel noise has not only effects on your hearing... (but you've got to be an MD to fully understand the article ) No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=3931 NSFW! No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Thanks, Craig for uploading. But the coverage is aimed at whuffos and doesn't show enough of the "real action", sadly... And 6:44 min....is that really it ??? No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

In continuation to this thread, I started a new one, since it's not the military tunnel. Here are some pictures from www.chinanews.cn, taken during construction in March. Inside Intake Building Looks promising to me ... No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

I've found this http://english.chinamil.com.cn/site2/news-channels/2005-09/20/content_298973.htm which leads me to believe, that there actually is a 5 meter vertical wind tunnel in china, and that it is military only. I'm guessing it's located in Chengdu, where they already have at least 8 wind tunnels. (Paul, worse than your neighbourhood...) On the other hand, there was an article in a chinese newspaper today, which says that the entertainment vwt in Mianyang has a flying area diameter of 3.6 meters and wind speed of 50 m/s. 3.6 meters equals 12 feet, so the numbers in the china.org.cn article would make sense, but not the units... Anyway, since i haven't heard of any dropzones in china, it's about time that there's a place to get a fix, the next time i have to go there... No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Let's just wait, it might get even bigger... No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

To go back to the topic... This article had an impact on the quality of my sleep, so I had to find out more. But my chinese is awful, so I mobilised a chinese friend to get me more info. Since I introduced him to tunnelflying when he was in Switzerland last year, I knew he won't mind digging around a bit. Here's what he replied: Dear Andy, Now I am in India, next Monday I will back to Shanghai. I checked it from internet, that is true China has built a windtunnel in Mianyan city of Sichuan province. (Sichuan province is my hometown, Mianyan city is my university location). It is not for military, it is open for entertainment. It is said, the first flyer tested for 5 minutes last week already, and next month can be open. When I back to China, I will collect more information for you. Wish you can enjoy flying in China, in my hometown soon! Best regards, Lance from India I guess thats good news... (unless you are a tunnel owner worried about dumping prices ) No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Well, there's actually two tunnels, just minutes apart. Not to mention the good food and lovely weather... No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

I guess you forgot Bodyflying AG, Switzerland www.bodyflying.com. After building/rebuilding 5 tunnels, of which 4 are still operational, I think you can count them to the "big ones"... No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...

Not correct. Although Bodyflying Switzerland was also asked, the OC decided to go with Aerodium Latvia www.aerodium.lv. But I'm not sure if the relocated their existing tunnel or built a new one for games... No.1 reason NOT to be an astronaut: ...You can't drink beer at zero gravity...