Hi All
Perhaps it's time I joined in this conversation. Firstly, the mobile units from Freefallers are primarily designed as a form of public entertainment, but this does not mean the design skimped on the quality of the airflow. There is a lot happening inside the airflow system that is not revelaed on the website for what should be obvious reasons. We are aware of the power losses resulting frm 90 degree bends and we have dealt with those losses in an inventive manner which will probably surprise you when you see it.
Regarding the power source: original designs used diesel engines but with the constantly rising fuel prices, a decision was taken earlier this year to switch to electric. This reduces engine running costs to 25% of the diesel costs. We also don't have emmissions to deal with, or 12'000 litre on board fuel tanks which have an inherint danager attached to them.
The locations identified to setup mobile units all have 3-phase power supplies, and we do provide a number of extremely long power extension cables. The mobile units have power meters to record the consumption in order that you know exactly how much to pay the venue.
On the issue of pre-selling rides and our funding status: Freefallers is a public company in South Africa which therefore has to comply with numerous legislations. AS a director I can be held personally liable for inappropriate activities, and as such...these are avoided for not only legal reasons but moral reasons.
Money from the pre-sale of rides is kept in a trust account, and the whole purpose behind the idea is:
1. Proving a point to investors about tunnel popularity
2. Securing an income channel before we hit the market - a bit like hedging your bets
3. Allowing the public to secure tunnel time
Freefallers is in business to provide entertainment to the public and in doing so, to generate profits. However we also would like to promote skydving as a sport and hope to attract new comers to the sport. We have been plagued by start-up problems as many businesses are, but too much has been invested buy too many people to give up and leave the project. We missed our initial launch in December 2003 for reasons posted on the website, but we have set new dates and are working towards those.
I know that I mentioned to Dawn Suiter that we were expecting to open the first fixed tunnel in mid-2006 but we were recently contacted by the owners of a local adventure park which is opening in December this year. They want to install a sim as their main attraction and we are currently working with them to help them meet their goals. As always it's about the money...but they are well funded so we are now turning to issues such as design and market.
Anyone with questions about Freefallers is welcome to contact us...as long as those uestions do not relate to revealing how we overcame the problems inherint in generating smooth air flow in the mobile unit. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." -- Voltaire
