Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!dmmst19
From: dmmst19@unix.cis.pitt.edu (Dennis M Moul)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: where are the wind tunnels?
Summary: Pigeon Forge TN, Action Park NJ, and Tampa (pending)
Keywords: tunnel flying, costs, addresses/phone #s
Message-ID: <130476@unix.cis.pitt.edu>
Date: 21 May 91 04:21:23 GMT
References: <1991May14.180720.14179@ge-dab.GE.COM>
Organization: Quest Laboratories
Lines: 51

In article <1991May14.180720.14179@ge-dab.GE.COM> coleman@sunny.dab.ge.com (Richard Coleman) writes:
>Does anybody know of any wind tunnels in the southeast USA, preferably in
>Florida.  I've got 13 jumps now (I did the AFF course in Deland) and thought
>that some time in a wind tunnel would be a cheaper and faster way to improve
>my control.  Does anybody out there have any time in a wind tunnel that
>they could relate.  Would this be a good idea?  Would this be cheaper than
>the equivalent amount of free-fall time?

There are three commercial wind tunnels in the Eastern US, as far as I know.
They are:

1. Flyaway Indoor Skydiving - 519 N. Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
   (615) 453-7777

I've been to Flyaway twice, and I had a great time. It was a lot of
fun and helped my stability and awareness quite a bit. Tunnel time is
about $12 for an 8-10 minute session. In a given session you get 2-3
minutes of actual air time, since there are usually two or three other
people in the tunnel with you. They have some discount arrangements if
you plan to do multiple sessions. The people there are very pleasant and
helpful. Also, Flyaway runs "tunnel boogies" at various times during the
year. 

Pigeon Forge is a crazy place. It was described in this group a while
back as "mile after mile of cheap tourist attractions for 8-year olds."
I can't think of anything more fitting than that. Just to give you the
idea, PF is home to Dollywood, the national Dolly Parton museum. 

2. Aerodium, Inc. -  P.O. Box 248, McAfee, NJ 07428
   (201) 827-5853

The Aerodium is in Action Park, New Jersey. I haven't been there myself,
and their prices seem quite a bit higher than Flyaway's. $25 for first
flight with 3 minutes of airtime. Introductory flight course $350.00 per
hour. Advanced flight training, $125.00 per session (minimum 20 minutes
long). General rate $6.00 per minute, $300.00 per hour.

They have a full page ad in the May issue of Parachutist on page 37.
Anyone who has been there, care to comment about your experiences?

3. Aerofly, Tampa's Airodium - Route 8, Box 877, Lutz, FL 33549
   (813) 973-2981

Last I knew, Aerofly was under construction and planning to open
sometime in '91. They used to advertise in Parachutist, but I couldn't
find one in the May issue. 

Anyone know more about the situation with Aerofly?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dennis Moul        dmmst19@unix.cis.pitt.edu        Phone: (412) 682-2887 (H)