Indoor Skydiving: Learn About It - The Skydiving Simulator

Simulated Skydiving - A New Kind Of Thrill

There are several ways to experience the excitement of the sport of skydiving and most of them involve an airplane. But for those who want to get a taste of this amazing sport without jumping from an aircraft several thousand feet in the air, there is always the skydiving simulator. The what?

This safe and reasonably-priced indoor adventure may be just the answer some people have been looking for. From humble beginnings as a vertical wind tunnel at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, the skydiving simulator has grown in popularity to the point that there are facilities in nearly every one of the United States, as well as in several countries around the world.

History Of Simulated Sky Diving

The first skydiving simulator was actually developed and used for that purpose immediately. In 1964, engineers and scientists constructed a vertical wind tunnel at Wright Patterson and eventually the structure was used to training the Army Corps parachute team.

Flyaway Indoor Skydiving is credited with offering a simulated skydiving facility to the public (Las Vegas, 1982). This same company opened a vertical wind tunnel facility in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee as well. These two skydiving simulators have since provided considerable fun and excitement to thousands upon thousands of visitors.

How It Works

The idea behind a vertical wind tunnel that is used to simulate skydiving is really very simple. Huge fans generate winds up to 120 miles per hour upward through a well-sealed tunnel. Individuals don the standard jumpsuit, goggles and helmet and then get into the center of this tunnel. The wind pushes the person upward and allows the individual to get the sensation of flying. Because the wind speeds are about the same as that experienced in live skydiving, the individual also gets much of the physical sensation of skydiving. Other than some minimum weight restrictions, any generally healthy person can enjoy this activity.

Some instruction is necessary, due to the physical nature of the simulation. Instructions are given to help the individual hold their body position properly and to provide hand signals that the student and instructor use to communicate. No special knowledge is necessary to try this unique experience. Because of the popularity of simulated skydiving, there are facilities reasonably close to nearly everyone. For those who don't have the finances or the desire to actually experience skydiving from a plane, there is always the skydiving simulator. Try it!

Andrew Caxton is the journalist of consumer websites, who has written more articles on simulated sky diving forhttp://www.skydiving-parachuting-guide.com. Read additional info on skydiving simulators or skydiving simulator fans Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Caxton

Indoor Skydiving: Simulated Skydiving is Close to Real

If you have ever considered skydiving but are afraid of actually taking "the plunge", you may be a candidate for simulated sky diving. Those who have tried IMAX theater experiences, where the screen is able to faithfully replicate a real world experience will understand how close simulated visuals can be to the real thing. When you add the true movement of a plane, add the wind pressure and the falling experience to a visual simulation, you will have as close to the full experience of skydiving without actually doing it.

The history of this interesting sport began in 1964 when, at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, wind tunnels were developed in order to train military paratroopers to learn to sky jump. There were successfully used in the training of the elite Golden Knights, the Strategic Army Corps Parachute Team. This group still is in existence today.

Simulated skydiving for the general public was introduced by Flyaway Indoor Skydiving of Las Vegas in 1982. They expanded into a second location shortly thereafter by opening their Pigeon Forge Tennessee operation. This forward thinking company has made it fun, safe and economical for almost anyone to enjoy the excitement of skydiving.

Here is what simulated skydiving is: a skydiver enters a tunnel, equipped just as any other skydiver would be dressed in goggles, helmet and jumpsuit. This vertical tunnel has air propelled through it at over 120mph. Because of the propulsion of the wind against the body of the jumper, he has the ability to skydive in the tunnel. This is the safest way to experience skydiving without jumping out of a plane, and it is good for anyone, as long as they meet certain minimum and maximum weight requirements.

You do have to be instructed to a certain extent, so don't think that you will skip the training period of skydiving altogether. You will view some instructions as to how to align your body during the "flight", what the proper hand signals are to the operator, and how to "fall" safely. You are not actually falling, although you have the sense of it. You feel as though you are falling from a plane, but there is no danger whatsoever.

Outside of the small instructions necessary, you don't have to have special training or skills to try simulated skydiving. Falling through the air as if from a plane is easy and fun and something that everyone in the family, except for the littlest ones, can enjoy together.

Did you enjoy the article on simulated sky diving? Matt Anderson is the author of many articles published athttp://www.skydiving-parachuting-guide.com - Read additional info on extreme sports or skydiving simulator Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Anderson