VanillaSkyGirl 6 #1 June 30, 2005 I'd like to know more about the history of the wind tunnel. I am specifically interested in pioneer female tunnel flyers. I need names, where they are now, any tunnel flying achievements, etc. Any early tunnel flying pictures with women in them are also welcome. Please post any and all knowledge of our tunnel roots, men and women. This is research for upcoming written articles on women tunnel flyers and the history of our female tunnel flyers. We would love to include and even feature more of this kind of background/history along with our contemporary female flyers within the PMT sisters' website. Any and all stories are welcome. Thank you so much to everyone who will be contributing to our tunnel history/knowledge! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paige 0 #2 June 30, 2005 Gracias Girlie Thanks for the post Ro!Tunnel Pink Mafia Delegate www.TunnelPinkMafia.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bodyflight.Net 0 #3 June 30, 2005 HEY! This is my corner of the market... I will soon have the name of the first ever female tunnel flyer.. anyway.. most of the pioneer women are friends with my hubby so.. it'll be easy for me to get those interviews. I thought you were looking for a history of wind tunnels by the topic, in which case I did that back in December.. Of course there is a new tunnel Aerodium Latvia that isn't in the list below.. but it's on my site along with a pretty thourough history of flight from 1500. Here's the december thread: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1379968#1379968 Here's the history of tunnels: Adren-l-n - completed in 2003; manufactured by Jus’ Fly; propeller driven; 1st prototype; currently closed. Aerodium - propeller driven machine built 1980-1981; patented in 1982; operational for 5-7 years after opening. Closed for unknown reasons, business is being carried on by the children of the inventor. Aerodium Mexico - built 2002 for military; small propeller driven; inadequate for training; Aerokart - completed in 2002;fan driven; french training facility; currently operational Airodium Zurich - completed in 1991; propeller driven; currently operational and successful. The swiss tunnel is keeps current with technology and currently sell a portable vwt design. Airodium Gran Canaria - completed in 2000; propeller driven portable tunnel; operating successfully since completion this tunnel moves little around it’s home in the Canary Islands Airofly #s 1 - 8 - propeller driven machines delivered to different locations; built to be movable with slow airspeeds of approximately 83mph; it is believed that all are out of commission as a result Airpower Arena - completed in 1996 after success with the portable unit they built first; currently operational Airpower Arena Portable - completed in 1985; propeller driven; possibly available for rentals. Airzone - propeller driven portable; location unknown; no other information is available American Dream Flying Machine - completed in 1991; changed ownership 3 times and is currently for sale; slow airspeeds of 80-90 mph Appalachian Amusement Center - completed in 2003; unique design, superior airflow & quiet, operational since 2004 Blue Skies America - completed in 1990; propeller driven; closed due to lack of demand Bodyflight Skydive Simulators LTD - purchased an old canadian propeller driven tunnel; considering operations, little progress since 2000 BodyFlying SportanLagen - completed in 1997; constructed for an exhibition; disasembled 1 year later Dr’Homme Volant - little is known about this facility which seemed to surface in 2002, extremely large suits have indicated extremely slow airspeeds; Egyptian Military - completed in 1998 by the Swiss Airodium Manufacturers; built for paratrooper training; currently operational with no public access Wright Patterson Air Force Base - completed in 1943 for military testing; in 1946 Jack Tiffany flew in this tunnel making him the first human to fly in a Vertical Wind Tunnel and making WPAFB VWT the first VWT used for human flight; closed. Moved operation to Ft. Bragg Flyaway Japan - completed in the mid 1980’s; propeller driven tunnel; operational for just a couple of years Flyaway Las Vegas - completed in 1982; propeller driven tourist facility; currently thriving* Flyaway Pigeon Forge - completed in 1982; propeller driven tourist facility; currently operational (*same owner) Freefall Xtreme - completed in 2002; mechanics unknown, fast airspeeds, currently operational Free Flight Indoor Skydiving - completed in 1990; not open to the general public; prototype Free Flight Skydiving School - completed in early 90’s operated on a DZ; small propeller driven tunnel; original burned down; rebuilt and disassembled due continued to structural failures Jetfly - much is unknown about this tunnel other than it was manufactured by Mistubishi and has been available for flights in Japan Ft. Bragg - completed for the military; no public access; fan driven; currently operational Bodyflight Bedford - refurbishing a military defense testing facility; currently planning to open in 2005 Mobile Aerodium - propeller driven portable; operational for several years in a water park; currently disassembled an in storage; reason for closure is believed to be a result of the water park closure/lost location Onera, France - science facility, used for human flight once for fun :) Party Zone - portable propeller driven tunnel, used for promotion of a Russian brewing company Powerflyte - completed in 1994; propeller driven; successful on a portable tour; changed ownership twice; refurbished by new owners; currently non operational due to budget Aerodium Isreal - unknown start date; operational until approx 2002; dismantled Skydive LTD - propeller driven portable; currently for sale Skyflyer - tiny 3 fan driven portable tunnel; no other information available SkyVenture Genting - completed in 2002; fan driven; currently operational tourist facility SkyVenture Orlando - completed in 1998; fan driven; currrently operational for skydiving training & tourism SkyVenture Perris - completed in 2003; fan driven; currently operational on a drop zone for skydivers Sundsvall Swededn - completed in 1999; propeller driven; currently run by a swedish skydiving team Terminal Velocity - completed in 1999; closed due to noise restrictions; for sale Tokyo Roof - unknown; no information is available Brazillian Portables - 3 propeller driven portable tunnels used as rentals and promotional aids throughout Brazil Twister -Nancy-Azelot, France, enclosed transparent tube, fixed Vertical Velocity - propeller driven portable unit; small and easy to move; currently operating successfully X-treme Air (now Lifted Entertainment) - propeller driven portable unit; purchased in 2002; currently operational Vuelo Libre #1 & 2 - slow speed propeller portable unit; sold & resold DISCLAIMER: Those are just the tunnels that have been built or were operational, that we could track and what we know. In most cases we had a photo that we had to track back to a tunnel, most of the time we are successful. Many more facilites have been announced but have still not completed construction on their projects and so are not listed here. If we missed someone.. please let us know! Also this post is long to edit, so please excuse typos!!! Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #4 June 30, 2005 This is very cool, Dawn. (I knew that you'd be an amazing source of knowledge.) Thank you so much! Yes, I saw that last thread (once again, very cool), but I was more interested in landmark events that may be more interesting to read about, rather than just a timeline of tunnels. Let's also see what early flyers' names, flying styles, new developments and early tunnel flying photos come from this, especially concerning the females! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paige 0 #5 June 30, 2005 WOW Thanks for the reading Dawn. I'm struggling to do work and I think that just about socked all hope of getting back to it for the day That is far more interesting. Great ideas ladies, thanks for the post and helping with the organization. Without your help and dedication this would still be an idea.Tunnel Pink Mafia Delegate www.TunnelPinkMafia.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bodyflight.Net 0 #6 June 30, 2005 yeah.. all that is part of my website... 200+ pages.. to much to put here on dz.com we are friendly with the original tunnel in Canada Levitationarium, now run by the children of the inventor of VWTs for human flight.. The timeline tells you where and when first flights took place too for the most part. Most all creative flying started at Flyaway Indoor Skydiving in Pigeon Forge.. back in the early 80's when Gus, Norman, Deanna, etc.. all came out her to train and do some filming with John & Phil and the crew there. It was the first tunnel boogie ever and that is where John, Phil, and many others got the original title of Tunnel Rats, from Gus. Anyway, early freefly pioneers, including someone everyone knows Olaf Z, after staying with John at his home, began freeflying and doing crazy things..with John, Phil & crew at Flyaway PF... John & Olaf did some jumping back in the 80's, I remember something about Nationals.. and opened up many eyes.. well.. it took off from there. Switzerland started out around then too and John & Phil went out there to train the staff.. stayed a year and had alot of experiences there, shaping their flyers.. the kids that flew with him then are STILL in touch today! Same deal at Flyaway Japan only for a shorter time and that tunnel closed so had little impact. We have so many photos, it's ridiculous, from the early days. Video archives to fill a hanger!! Anthony Stevens, the first real skydiver to fly at Flyaway who taught those guys how to fly (photo of that flight on my site). Vegas was behind the curve only because they were closed down for a few years in the 80's. this is all jumbled up I know.. just a few things off the top of my head Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #7 June 30, 2005 I loved this, Dawn. Please don't stop telling the little fun details. What about the ladies? When did they get more involved? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bodyflight.Net 0 #8 June 30, 2005 Have you seen the movie Body Flight? It was available on Amazon for some time, but now I'm selling the only copies.. this would certainly help you learn about the development of the industry. Tina McCoy, the most amazing & graceful flyer, an inspiration to me and many others Added: I finally got to fly with her for the first time this year, it was like flying with my idol. She took a decade or so off, married a Golf Pro but is now flying with us here at AAC sometimes. She lives just outside of orlando now. Ann Marie Toto, inspiring because of her dedication and love of the sport.. undying regardless.. she has traveled to even more tunnels than I have Deanna Kent, rest her soul, who also helped to show us how to skydance in the tunnel (see clips in N.Kent's Willing to Fly) Joelyn Roberts, former Flyaway Instructor who's brother also became a tunnel rat (Robbie) Mary Tortamasi.. you know her right? Well, she's been around a while too.. started out a secretary I think to Marvin Crowder..way back in the beginning too.. she's local to you..a GREAT candidate for a historical interview.... There have been so many.....added: there are photos of nearly all of this stuff in my site too Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #9 June 30, 2005 QuoteMary Tortamasi.. you know her right? Well, she's been around a while too.. started out a secretary I think to Marvin Crowder..way back in the beginning too.. she's local to you..a GREAT candidate for a historical interview.... Oh my...yes, I know Mary. How awesome! I was actually going to ask you and Paige, what your thoughts were for myself to give Mary an interview for our site. Looks like I will have to ask her if she will be available for an interview for this. This is great news! She can give us good feedback from herself, tunnels' past and about how tunnel flying has progressed over the years. I'm excited! Edited for typo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bodyflight.Net 0 #10 June 30, 2005 Quoterather than just a timeline of tunnels That's not a timeline.. the timeline is in the History section of Bodyflight Network! http://www.bodyflight.net/history_1941-1999.html starting in the 60's Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air, Dawn Suiter PMTS Delegate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #11 June 30, 2005 Oh goodness...how wonderful. Thank you, Dawn! We will have to condense IMMENSELY and share some of the most relevant parts of tunnel history with tunnel flyers on our site. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
