🚀 go-pugleaf

vannevar@panix.com (Vannevar Yu) writes:

>WIND TUNNELS - can live with them, can live without them?
>I got a chance to 'sneak preview' a wind tunnel project being built by
>Frank Arenas (who is also an engineer) at SDC.  We're talking about a
>mondo electric motor, customized prop, variable control, ... the works.
>I was hoping to check this electric tunnel out while I was there, but it
>was still being assembled.  This is supposed to be a 'no baggy suit needed'
>tunnel for skydiving instruction only (no whuffos).  Can't wait!
>Phoenix has its outdoor tunnel on display by the bypass, but it hasn't blown
>air yet (for paying skyleapers) by the time I left.  Talked to Reddy Redfern
>about it and he seems to be positive about it.  The Phoenix tunnel runs on
>diesel and has the corresponding noise and heat, but they'll work it out
>with the city.
>A flyer was tacked on the wall of SDC manifest advertising a wind tunnel in
>Kissemmee (sp?) FL, but I don't know if this is a 'baggy suit required'
>tunnel or if it runs on electric or diesel or leftover DZ liquor =).

The one at Kissimee is called the American Dream Flying Machine and in 
my opinion it's not worth it unless you are really desperate.  The price
is outrageous, $24 for a little over 2 minutes of flying time, twice the
price at Pigeon Forge.  When I was there, there were a bunch of skydivers 
from Deland who had gotten a special deal of $20, but his advertised
price is $24.  

It's your basic outdoor, diesel driven prop setup, about 1200 hp I'm
told.  The airspeed was rather slow, typical of outdoor rigs with no
recirc capability.  Also it was very uneven and felt downright mushy in
places.  Still, it was moving air and you could fly in it, it's just
not as much fun as it could be.

Jim
jkearns@encore.com