LloydDobbler 2 #26 September 9, 2008 And though Pigeon Forge likely seems the closest, you'd likely do better to drive to Raeford or Orlando, if you're looking to do some skydiving training. At FlyAway - or the L1 outdoor tunnel in Waynesville, NC, which I believe is still open (it was a year ago) - you'll spend most of your energy trying to stay in the column of air, especially if you're not an experienced jumper. If you hit up a SkyVenture tunnel (which can be found at skyventure.com), you'll be flying in an enclosed chamber, where you can't slide off the column and fall onto the pads/net. Good luck!Signatures are the new black. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 0 #27 September 9, 2008 Quote And though Pigeon Forge likely seems the closest, you'd likely do better to drive to Raeford or Orlando, if you're looking to do some skydiving training. I agree. I've never been to either Pigeon Forge or Las Vegas, but I've heard and read more "don't waste your money" comments than "it's better than nothing" comments about each, mainly because of lower wind velocity that makes it harder to maneuver, especially for a student. But that's just what I've heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braz933 0 #28 February 25, 2009 I finally got into the tunnel tonight. I did 13 minutes, and I must say it has improved my confidence 100 fold! This experience was particularly good because coaching was provided by 3 AFF instructors from my soon-to-be home DZ. I plan to make a few more trips to the tunnel between now and AFF. I would like to have 60 minutes in the tunnel prior to AFF if possible. Time and finances will dictate. So far..so goodBraz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyPainter 0 #29 February 26, 2009 Dude! They gotta know you ROCKED the tunnel for the first time! :) You were able to maintain hover control okay - up/down, and left/right, and even tossed in a few turns! We will hit the Pleasure Tube a few more times, and I will make sure I am on a coupla AFF loads with you this spring! This guy is gonna be a SKYDIVER!! Blue Skies, and Safe Landings Always, SkyPainterLive deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braz933 0 #30 February 26, 2009 Thanks for the vote of confidence Chaaaz! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dks13827 2 #31 June 8, 2009 I would recommend the tunnel because it will teach you the sounds and sensations in a less stressful situation. NASA taught the first astronauts in simulations that were loud, hot, shaking, etc. so that they could ignore the distractions and function properly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braz933 0 #32 June 8, 2009 Well, it's been a while, and I have an update on this. The tunnel time paid off! I went through AFF, and completed all my coach jumps without a single problem. I'm now just 10 jumps away from my A license. If anyone reading this has access to a tunnel prior to AFF, do yourself a favor and get in there! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
captainhaggs 0 #33 June 8, 2009 I just graduated from AFF, at Skydive Deland, and an intstructor ( who had rented an hour of time at skyventure orlando ) aproached me and the guy i was with asking if wed like 15 minutes of tunnel time each. I highly recommend it, you can practice all the maneuvers youll be doing in aff, in a stress free enviroment. + the 15 minutes i had in the tunnel (not that youd necessarily would want to rent that much time) equated to 17-18 jumps of freefall. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyPainter 0 #34 June 9, 2009 Quote Well, it's been a while, and I have an update on this. The tunnel time paid off! I went through AFF, and completed all my coach jumps without a single problem. I'm now just 10 jumps away from my A license. If anyone reading this has access to a tunnel prior to AFF, do yourself a favor and get in there! ****> CONGRATS, Ryan! Now I need to catch-up with YOU! LOL! We will be jumping together soon .... I did my D1 last weekend. Rock on.Live deliberately; Dare greatly; Land gently SkyPainter SOS 1304, POPS 10695, DS 118 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Braz933 0 #35 June 9, 2009 That's great! Glad to see your back at it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airathanas 0 #36 June 9, 2009 Glad to hear that your investment in tunnel time paid off. I too did tunnel time before becoming a student and it made a huge difference (aka I didn't fail any levels). I highly recommend this as well.http://3ringnecklace.com/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Inspired 0 #37 June 11, 2009 I did an hour of tunnel time in Denver in April. I just started AFP at Skydive Chicago last weekend. Normally, jump 3 is the release dive, but my instructor decided to release me on my second jump. I was able to fly stable and hold heading very easily. I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to without the tunnel time. That being said... don't expect to fly as well in freefall as you do in the tunnel. The stress levels are very different in the two environments. It's much harder to fly when your body is all tensed up after jumping from a plane. I would definetely recommend at least 15 minutes in the tunnel before AFF. It really helped my confidence! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 558 #38 June 11, 2009 "QuoteI have done 2 tandems. I know they don't count for anything, ..." ..................................................................... I disagree! Tandem helped you overcome the massive sensory overload and fear of those first two jumps and tandem is the best hanging harness for teaching landing patterns. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites riggerrob 558 #39 June 11, 2009 No single method is best for teaching skydiving skills, rather different methods are best for teachign different skills at different levels. For example, at Pitt Meadows, we start every student with a tandem jump, then a couple of IAD jumps, then five Progressive Freefall jumps, then a few coach dives to round out skills for A Certificate. If there was a wind tunnel - within driving distance of Vancouver - I would make tunnel time obligatory before Progressive Freefall jumps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Andy9o8 0 #40 June 11, 2009 QuoteI would recommend the tunnel because it will teach you the sounds and sensations in a less stressful situation. NASA taught the first astronauts in simulations that were loud, hot, shaking, etc. so that they could ignore the distractions and function properly. I seem to recall that the first cosmonaut was a dog, and the first astrononaut was a chimpanzee. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Jewels 0 #41 June 11, 2009 QuoteQuoteI would recommend the tunnel because it will teach you the sounds and sensations in a less stressful situation. NASA taught the first astronauts in simulations that were loud, hot, shaking, etc. so that they could ignore the distractions and function properly. I seem to recall that the first cosmonaut was a dog, and the first astrononaut was a chimpanzee. There's a thread somewhere about cats in the tunnel . . . .TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 2 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
riggerrob 558 #39 June 11, 2009 No single method is best for teaching skydiving skills, rather different methods are best for teachign different skills at different levels. For example, at Pitt Meadows, we start every student with a tandem jump, then a couple of IAD jumps, then five Progressive Freefall jumps, then a few coach dives to round out skills for A Certificate. If there was a wind tunnel - within driving distance of Vancouver - I would make tunnel time obligatory before Progressive Freefall jumps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 0 #40 June 11, 2009 QuoteI would recommend the tunnel because it will teach you the sounds and sensations in a less stressful situation. NASA taught the first astronauts in simulations that were loud, hot, shaking, etc. so that they could ignore the distractions and function properly. I seem to recall that the first cosmonaut was a dog, and the first astrononaut was a chimpanzee. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jewels 0 #41 June 11, 2009 QuoteQuoteI would recommend the tunnel because it will teach you the sounds and sensations in a less stressful situation. NASA taught the first astronauts in simulations that were loud, hot, shaking, etc. so that they could ignore the distractions and function properly. I seem to recall that the first cosmonaut was a dog, and the first astrononaut was a chimpanzee. There's a thread somewhere about cats in the tunnel . . . .TPM Sister #102 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
