Tunnel Facts

 

So, how does it all work?
Use the buttons on the diagram above to put things into motion!

 

THE BASICS:

• * Fans: Four 250 horsepower fans recirculate up to 150mph+ of wind, enough for the most radical expert
    skydiving training.
• * Turning Vanes: Shaped like curved aircraft wings, the Turning Vanes guide air around corners without
    introducing excessive drag or turbulence.
• * Return Air Towers: Air passes Turn 2, slows, and continues downward to the plenum.
• * Louvers: Large doors in the Return Air Towers allow a measured amount of fresh-air exchange, maintaining a
    comfortable temperature in the Flight Chamber.
• * Plenum: After Turn 3, the airflow continues underground toward the center of the structure.
• * Inlet Contractor: Turn 4 guides the wind to the Inlet Contractor, which narrows in diameter in advance of the
    Flight Chamber. Airspeed increases from about 30mph to 120mph+, enough for human flight!
• * Flight Chamber: 12 feet indiameter, lined with a trampoline-like floor made of aircraft cable, surrounded by
    clear plexi-glass.
• * Diffuser: Experts can reach heights of about 30 feet above the net. Turn 1 guides the air back outward toward
    the fans.

iFly's vertical wind tunnel design has a proven track record of safety and reliability, and a growing number of customers in locations throughout the world. iFly SF Bay is a 12-foot diameter vertical wind tunnel capable of airspeeds above 150mph. It is safe enough for children and advanced enough for the competition skydiver.

 

Four 250 horsepower fans circulate air around the interior of the structure, generating the same wind speed which skydivers feel during freefall. By learning to position yourself to balance on this airflow, you'll learn to fly your body the way skydivers do, close to mother earth and in view of your friends and family!

 

Two fans are located on each side of the top level of the building. Wind is generated away from the center, flowing down the sides of the Return Air Towers, and into the basement. From there, it transitions toward the center, where the both flows are joined together and proceed upward. At this point the wind measures approximately 30mph.

 

As the wind travels upward, it passes through the Inlet Contractor, which narrows the path to 12 feet in diameter. Physics tells us that by narrowing the opening, air speed increases. Before reaching the Flight Chamber, the wind has reached upwards of 120mph!

 

The Lower Flight Chamber is surrounded by plexi-glass through which the flyer is visible to spectators. Above that is the Diffuser, which gradually increases in diameter before the wind is turned outwards to the fans. This slows the airflow near the top and is one of the safety features of iFly wind tunnels, helping beginning flyers to stay in a safe position within the Flight Chamber.

 

While other tunnels take in all the air from the outside, ours recirculates air as described in order to reduce noise and to maintain a comfortable temperature inside. The Return Air Towers have Louver Doors which can be opened to allow whatever amount of fresh air is required to keep the tunnel cool during warmer times.

 

For the aerodynamically inclined, are you curious how the airflow is turned around corners? Turning Vanes are banks of airfoils curved 90-degrees, guiding the air around corners without introducing excessive drag or turbulence.

iFly's tunnels were designed by professional wind tunnel engineers from organizations such as NASA. It's the most efficient design in the world, with a smooth interior laminar flow, which makes iFly often refered to as "an airplane, turned inside-out!"

Wind Tunnel Controls

Wind Tunnel Control Panel

An operator is in communication with your instructor during you entire flight. Together, they'll determine the perfect wind speed for your size and skill level, and can send messages to you to help you get the hang of it.

Both your Flight Instructor and the Operator are there for your safety.

Getting In And Out

 

Don't worry about a fear of heights, jumping, or falling. You'll start flying only feet above the ground, within arm's reach of a highly-trained instructor.

The setup is simple: a 12 foot (3.66m) diameter tunnel that has two open doorways into the staging area which can seat up to 15 people. Inside the flight chamber is the invisible airflow.

The flight chamber has a trampoline-like floor made from super-strong aircraft cable.

 

To enter the tunnel, you'll stand in the open doorway and lean forward while your instructor guides you in. You'll begin to feel the wind help support your body, and you'll be assisted into a neutral flying position as you are introduced to the basic maneuvers.

 

To leave the tunnel, you'll be guided back to the doorway, take a grip on the sides, stand up and you are back in the staging area. In goes the next person and you all shuffle up until it’s your turn again.