Z-Hills, Wind Tunnels

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2 total messages Started by Vannevar Yu Mon, 25 Jan 1993 04:31

#2179

Author: Vannevar Yu
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 04:31

40 lines
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Just got back from a two-week Skydive City (SDC) vacation at sometimes-not-
sunny Zephyrhills, Florida.  The Freeflight School run by Frank Arenas seems
to have expanded (!) since I was last there (9/92), now with AFF instructors
Jeff Barbani, Dino Procos, Peter Wolfe, Wim Vanparijs, Bram Clement & Elle,
Pip & Judy.  Looks like they must be doing something right.

Got to see the "let's-pick-a-fight-with-anyone" Royal Marines do their
death-defying static lines from a plane provided by Phoenix parachute center.
Yes, it seems that the two drop zones located at the municipal airport are
still not cooperating with each other :( -- I was on the SDC otter load 6 last
1/21 at about 12-vish when we spotted the Phoenix CASA cutting in.  Since the
CASA dumps at 12.5 and the SDC otter at 13.5, the otter ended up waiting for
the CASA to do its thing before being able to go on jump run :( :(.  And 
since I was last out of that otter, I didn't appreciate having my sunset 2W
turned into a night jump :( :( :(.  Is there anything that we, as paying
skyleapers, can do to make these two drop zones cooperate and enhance
SAFETY?

Neuffie has a new canopy.  Hope he burns that ol' Crus.

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 =).

-- 
* #include<std_disclaimer.h>    /* This man enjoys terminal velocity */   *
* Vannevar Yu * is at vannevar@panix.com or {uupsi,cmcl2}!panix!vannevar  *
* Chemical Bank, New York City: Work Phone 212-310-7720, Fax 212-310-1190 *

Re: Z-Hills, Wind Tunnels

#2195

Author: Jim Kearns
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 18:33

33 lines
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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

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