In 1979 the Canadian inventor Jean Saint – Germain came up with the idea of the first vertical wind tunnel for bodyflight. Saint – Germain, who was a former parachutist in the army, owned two parachute schools as he came to the idea that an AERODIUM would help his students to practice free falling more efficiently. The first commercial wind tunnel was opened in Saint Simon de Bagot, 50 miles east of Montreal. 

The flight show and a custom-built wind tunnel by AERODIUM was a milestone in vertical wind tunnel history. Most people had never seen a vertical wind tunnel before and were fascinated by the flying humans with no wires attached. After that, interest in a unique flight activity was rapidly growing.

A custom-built, fully transparent glass flight chamber wind tunnel was exhibited at the Latvian pavilion at the “World EXPO 2010” in China. Another first in the industry. AERODIUM was the pavilion’s general contractor and presented shows to the visitors every 30 minutes during a period of 6 months. It gathered large crowds and offered a chance for VIPs to train and fly in the tunnel. A fully transparent recirculation wind tunnel gave a 360-degree viewing area for the spectators allowing them to be closer to the action.

AERODIUM introduced the first B.A.S.E. jump chamber integrated into an indoor wind tunnel for experienced flyers simulating a B.A.S.E. jump exit in a controlled environment and setting a new standard in the wind tunnel industry. The wind tunnel featured a 12-meter flight chamber of which 9 meters were made from fully transparent glass.

“Flying Dream” is a spectacle, which combines architecture, centuries-old traditions, and technology. On sacred Mount Shongshang, “The Centre of Heaven and Earth”, over 200 kung-fu masters, singers, dancers, and flying monks amaze spectators with an incredible show. The wind tunnel features a unique open-air flight zone, where aerial acrobats can soar up to 15 meters high during performances, and an enclosed flying area for safe customer flights, making the dream of flight accessible to everyone.

AERODIUM built the tallest glass flight chamber for our high-performance R4 wind tunnel designed professional flyers. In 2018 “Gravity Indoor Skydiving” hosted the 3rd FAI World Cup of Indoor Skydiving, bringing together the world’s best indoor skydivers where spectators and competitors could enjoy the unmatched views both inside and outside the tunnel. The tunnel is not only fully transparent but also includes an indoor B.A.S.E. jump chamber for professionals.

AERODIUM created a custom made, themed flying show solution for Disneyland Shanghai’s “Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular” – a 30-minute long show with flying people as the high point of the spectacle. The show features one of a kind open-recirculation wind tunnel technology built right into the show stage. AERODIUM designed, manufactured, and implemented the “Storm” show solution and with continuous technical support and maintenance is continuing to amaze spectators with no downtime since 2016.

AERODIUM made a huge leap from previous open-air models to a completely new machine designed for safe customer flights, intermediate flyers training, and show performance purposes. The O2 features a 3-level safety system, including a patented fall absorbing safety cushion, Sonic Dampening Tech reducing the noise to the levels of a conventional vacuum cleaner in the spectator area, and a small footprint that does not require major construction. The O2 is an affordable option for seasonal locations, rental events, and performances with integration options indoors.

The AERODIUM team was tasked to accomplish a seemingly impossible mission. Build the world’s largest open-air wind tunnel in just under three months for Hollywood’s top blockbuster “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” with Tom Cruise. Four independent fans provide a fast and smooth airflow, which can be powered via an electric grid or diesel generators. With a flight area of 23 square meters (248 square feet), it is the largest open-flow vertical wind tunnel in the world. AERODIUM provided the technology, on set coordination, and stunt training to safely capture on film one of the most ambitious skydiving action scenes ever filmed. The wind tunnel and the AERODIUM flight instructors, already dubbed the “Wind Tunnel Ninjas” in the film industry, are in action working on a number of Hollywood blockbustesrs premiering in 2020.

With the R2 model, AERODIUM took the plug and play concept to the indoor skydiving industry and created the first plug and fly wind tunnel! We made it our goal to develop a wind tunnel that is easy and cost-effective to install, requires low operational costs, and provides an unforgettable customer experience at its core design. Thanks to its modular design, it is quick and easy to install, allowing seamless integration into a new or existing building with minimal civil works. Unlike any other recirculation wind tunnel, the R2 is a fully self-contained structure. It can be lifted in through the roof or an opening in the wall, and be ready for use without the need for heavy construction. With a footprint of just 90 square meters (972 square feet), this is the most compact recirculation wind tunnel in the industry.