AERODIUM Legacy – 20 years of innovation

From Sigulda to the Skies: A Legacy of Innovation

Exactly 20 years ago—on June 10, 2005—AERODIUM opened the very first vertical wind tunnel in Northern Europe, located in Sigulda, Latvia.

What followed was far more than a business milestone. Through a combination of bold vision, relentless innovation, and a bit of serendipity, AERODIUM not only transformed itself but also redefined the vertical wind tunnel industry and shaped the future of indoor skydiving worldwide.

Curious how it all began? Wondering who stood behind the early trials, triumphs, and technical breakthroughs? This blog takes you on a journey through AERODIUM’s remarkable evolution—and the legacy it’s built over two decades of pushing the boundaries of human flight.

The First Leap: From Philosophy to Flight

In the early 2000s, Ivars Beitāns—then a philosophy student, a renowned stuntman, and already a recognized entrepreneur in Latvia—had a bold vision: to bring the thrill of human flight to life. Inspired by a passion for aerial adventure, he teamed up with like-minded partners determined to launch an entirely new experience in Latvia—the country’s first vertical wind tunnel.

Their goal was ambitious. At the time, wind tunnels were virtually unknown in the Nordic region. But they believed that anyone should have the chance to defy gravity through the power of air alone.

A Vertical Dream Meets Horizontal Challenges

The First Tunnel Setup

Bringing the machine to Latvia wasn’t easy. The team faced logistical hurdles in transporting and installing the equipment—an enormous feat for a startup in a niche industry. But the real shock came later: the tunnel didn’t work.

The newly installed machine simply wasn’t powerful enough to lift a human body. Even worse, there were no specialists nearby who could make the necessary adjustments. Skydiving simulator or vertical wind tunnel wasn’t just new—it was practically alien. The technology required was complex, and the learning curve was steep.

Trial, Error, and Ropes

In the absence of proper lift and technical know-how, the team got creative. Flying experiments involved people strapped to ropes, trying to mimic the feeling of free fall. By today’s standards, it looked awkward—even comical—but at the time, it was pioneering.

From Struggles to Success: A Movement Begins

The First Flights

Despite setbacks, those first shaky attempts laid the groundwork for what would become a revolutionary experience. What began as a mix of trial, error, and persistence evolved into a world-class attraction that would one day host global competitions and attract elite flyers.

The Turning Point

Years of iteration, experimentation, and relentless passion transformed AERODIUM from a local curiosity into a global innovator in aerodynamic entertainment. These humble beginnings underscore the determination it takes to build something extraordinary from nothing.

June 10, 2005: The Day AERODIUM Made History

Launching the First Public Wind Tunnel in the Baltics and Nordics

With enormous effort and around-the-clock dedication, the team finally got the machine working. They set the grand opening for Friday, June 10, 2005—a day that would mark a new era in aerial entertainment.

To captivate the audience, they organized a Martian-themed launch event, complete with dancers, a robot character, and a dramatic unveiling of the wind tunnel’s capabilities.

When Fire Became Fireworks

The show began with an unexpected twist. A van filled with fireworks caught fire and exploded—luckily at a safe distance. Amazingly, the audience assumed it was part of the show. Even as firefighters arrived, people clapped, thinking it was all part of the Martian spectacle.

The Moment That Took Everyone’s Breath Away

Then, amid flashing lights and music, the curtain lifted. The wind tunnel roared to life. A flyer ascended into the air—the first public vertical wind tunnel flight in the region. The crowd stood in stunned silence, then erupted in applause.

No one had expected this. It was a real flight, right in front of their eyes. Minus the ropes.

The Aftershock: Lines Around the Clock

That summer, the tunnel became a sensation. Lines stretched until midnight, every single day. People were drawn by the chance to experience something they’d only dreamed of—to fly.

How One Email Sparked a Revolution in Vertical Wind Tunnel History

From Sigulda to the World Stage

Shortly after a thrilling summer of flight demonstrations in Sigulda, Latvia, an unexpected email arrived. The message posed a simple but curious question: “Could a vertical wind tunnel be used in a show?”

The origins of the inquiry were unclear. How had these people discovered the vertical wind tunnel in a small Latvian town? Why reach out to us? We didn’t have the answers, but we had something more important—determination. We said yes. What no one realized at the time was that this message came from the production team of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony. Their vision? To integrate a flying performance using a vertical wind tunnel in front of a global audience. The stakes were monumental: over 300 million viewers would tune in live. The pressure was on.

Preparing for the Impossible

Training Through a Nordic Winter

With the secret now out—it was the Olympics—the reality of the challenge set in. We needed a show. Not just a demonstration, but a world-class, unforgettable performance under the scrutiny of global media and Olympic prestige.The preparation was intense. The team trained relentlessly through the cold and dark Latvian winter, unfazed by the limited capabilities of our early-generation wind tunnel. Today’s recirculation or enclosed tunnels, like the world-renowned AERODIUM R4 PRO, offer performance levels we could only dream of back then. But that didn’t stop us.

Overcoming Limitations

We worked with what we had—modest airflow, basic equipment, and freezing temperatures. But perhaps it was our heritage—resilient, adaptive, forged by history—that drove us. Or maybe it was the unspoken belief that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape the future of vertical wind tunnel flying and indoor skydiving.

Whatever the reason, we pushed forward.

How AERODIUM’s Torino Olympics Show Changed Indoor Skydiving Forever

A Defining Moment in Vertical Wind Tunnel History

When asked to name the most impactful moment in his 20-year journey in vertical wind tunnel flying, AERODIUM’s visionary Ivars Beitāns answers without hesitation: the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. Despite having limited experience and venturing into uncharted territory, the AERODIUM team delivered a groundbreaking performance. It was the world’s first-ever vertical wind tunnel show at a global public event, stunning audiences and opening up new possibilities for indoor skydiving as a form of public entertainment. It was more than a show—it was a revolution in how people viewed human flight.

The Only Vertical Wind Tunnel at the Olympic Games

A Unique Achievement in Olympic History

While indoor skydiving is not yet recognized as an official Olympic sport, AERODIUM made history by becoming the first and only vertical wind tunnel flyers to perform during the Olympic Games. This singular performance paved the way for future recognition of the sport on the world stage.

When indoor skydiving eventually becomes an Olympic discipline, it will trace its roots back to AERODIUM’s bold display in Torino—a defining “first love” moment in the sport’s evolution.

A Surprise Call That Changed the Course of Vertical Wind Tunnel History

Recognition from the Industry

Not long after the spectacular AERODIUM vertical wind tunnel performance at the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics, Ivars Beitāns received an unexpected phone call. On the other end was a prominent figure from one of the world’s major vertical wind tunnel manufacturers.

He didn’t call to criticize or compete—he called to congratulate. He wanted to speak with the man who had reignited global interest in indoor skydiving and created a fresh wave of demand for wind tunnel experiences across continents.It was only then that Ivars fully realized the magnitude of the Olympic performance’s impact. AERODIUM’s mobile wind tunnel show had turned heads worldwide, opening the door to a new era—one where tunnel flying evolved from niche entertainment into a recognized sport.

From Struggle to Strategy: The Evolution of AERODIUM’s Vision

At first, it was all passion, grit, and survival. The early tunnel in Sigulda, the pressure of the Olympic stage, and countless other global events pushed the team to its limits. But through each challenge, the AERODIUM team gained critical insights—about wind flow, flight dynamics, and what truly matters in the flying experience. With every project came refined technical skills and deeper aerodynamic understanding. What competitors didn’t see, AERODIUM did. Today, we might call this a first-mover advantage, but back then, it was simply a constant battle against physics, gravity, and fatigue.

Leading With Purpose: The Birth of Safety-First Vertical Wind Tunnel Flying

Eventually, that hard-earned knowledge began to compound. AERODIUM wasn’t just building wind tunnels—it was shaping an entirely new standard. One that emphasized not only the thrill of flight but also the safety and reliability of the experience. This shift in perspective gave birth to a new mission: to make vertical wind tunnel flying the safest it could possibly be. From design innovation to patented impact absorption systems, safety became AERODIUM’s hallmark—a much-needed evolution in an industry that had long overlooked it.

How Flight Safety Became the Guiding Light of AERODIUM Vertical Wind Tunnels

Lessons From the Early Days in Sigulda

Back in the pioneering days of the AERODIUM vertical wind tunnel in Sigulda, Latvia, every flight was an experiment. Ivars Beitāns, the visionary behind AERODIUM, quickly realized that learning to fly wasn’t just a test of physical strength—it demanded mental agility, spatial awareness, and an intimate understanding of aerodynamic flow.

At the time, the wind wasn’t fully controlled. The technology was still evolving, and adjustments to the tunnel’s airflow were made daily. With each tweak came new challenges—and new risks. Without today’s advanced safety systems, learning to fly meant pushing personal and technical limits. It was not uncommon for ambulances to make regular appearances. Although the basic principles of flight were known, safe and smooth landings remained elusive.

When Safety Became the Mission

For Ivars, the strain began to mount. The injuries, the risks, the emotional toll—it was overwhelming. He began to question everything: If safe flight couldn’t be achieved, should it even be pursued? In hindsight, we might call it burnout, but at the time, it simply felt like a breaking point. Yet from that low came a powerful realization: safety must be at the heart of everything. That mindset became the cornerstone of AERODIUM’s innovation journey.

The Evolution from Open-Air Tunnels to the World’s Best Enclosed Tunnels

From Sigulda to Shanghai: Pioneering Innovation

AERODIUM’s journey began in Sigulda with an open-air vertical wind tunnel—an unconventional idea at the time that quickly attracted attention for its unique entertainment value. As global demand for more advanced, immersive experiences grew, so did AERODIUM’s ambition.The turning point came in 2010, when AERODIUM was chosen as the centerpiece of Latvia’s pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai.

Breaking Barriers with Transparent Recirculating Tunnels

This opportunity led to AERODIUM’s first recirculating or enclosed type vertical wind tunnel—an engineering marvel featuring:

• A fully transparent 9-meter-tall glass flight chamber
• Three additional open-air tunnels installed on the pavilion’s rooftop for daily aerial shows

No other vertical wind tunnel installation had ever achieved such scale, visibility, or technical sophistication. It redefined what’s possible in aerodynamic entertainment.

Sky-High Impact on Brand Awareness

The Shanghai Expo performance captivated global audiences. Latvia became known as “the country where people fly.” Even local taxi drivers referenced the flying shows when describing their country’s pavilion. This was brand exposure at its finest—emotional, memorable, and viral.

The Turning Point: From Setbacks to Safety Leadership

Rather than give up, AERODIUM doubled down. Every injury, every close call, became a data point—fuel for improving both tunnel design and training methodology. The result was not incremental change, but industry-defining progress.

Today, AERODIUM tunnels feature patented safety innovations such as:

• Impact absorption systems that cushion landings and prevent injury
• Flexible safety nets and adaptive flight control systems
• AI-driven monitoring to enhance real-time responsiveness and minimize human error

These innovations didn’t emerge from theoretical research alone—they were born from real-world necessity and decades of hands-on experience.

AERODIUM Today: Setting the Standard for Safe Indoor Skydiving

Thanks to this relentless commitment, AERODIUM vertical wind tunnels are now considered the safest in the world. The flagship R4 PRO tunnel, recognized by top athletes at the 2024 World Cup in Macau, not only delivers unmatched flight performance but also sets a new global benchmark for safety.This journey from uncertainty to leadership wasn’t easy—and it wasn’t cheap. It required years of trial, error, and reinvention. But it’s exactly what makes AERODIUM the trusted name in the vertical wind tunnel industry today.

Toms Īvāns: From AERODIUM Sigulda to World Champion of Indoor Skydiving

The Rise of a Skydiving Legend

Toms Īvāns—today recognized as one of the world’s top indoor skydiving coaches and the 2018 Indoor Skydiving World Cup winner—began his journey where many dreamers have taken flight: AERODIUM Sigulda in Latvia.

As a young athlete in search of the next challenge, Toms stumbled upon something extraordinary. What started as curiosity soon became passion, and then mastery. Fourteen years later, he’s not only a global indoor skydiving icon but also an inspiring mentor and a respected figure in the wind tunnel community.

From Sigulda to Global Spotlight

Toms’ skills didn’t go unnoticed. When Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise needed training for the iconic HALO jump sequence in Mission Impossible: Fallout, Toms was called upon to assist.

Likewise, when Jackie Chan filmed scenes for his movie Chinese Zodiac in Latvia, Toms contributed his expertise behind the scenes to ensure the action was smooth, authentic, and thrilling.

A Champion and a Coach

In 2018, Toms solidified his place among the sport’s elite by winning the Indoor Skydiving World Cup, a milestone that reflected years of dedication and innovation.

But he didn’t stop there.

Today, he is one of the most sought-after coaches in the indoor skydiving world. His students consistently land on podiums at the most prestigious international competitions—proof of both his coaching skill and his ability to inspire.

Giving Credit Where It’s Due: AERODIUM Sigulda

Toms Īvāns’ journey didn’t start in the tunnel—it started in the crowd.

As a young athlete, he watched AERODIUM’s breathtaking performance at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony, and something shifted. The sight of human flight, powered by nothing but wind, left him stunned. It wasn’t just impressive—it was a calling.

“When I saw that show, I just knew—I wanted to do that. I had no idea how, but it felt like I was meant to fly,” Toms recalls.

This emotional spark eventually led him to AERODIUM Sigulda, where his curiosity turned into training, and training turned into global achievement.

The Legacy of AERODIUM: More Than Just a Wind Tunnel

A Training Ground for Champions

AERODIUM Sigulda is more than a facility—it’s a movement. It represents accessibility, innovation, and transformation. From first-time flyers to future world champions, it gives everyone a chance to defy gravity and discover a new version of themselves.

Toms’ story is proof that with the right environment, technology, and mentorship, extraordinary things can happen.

A Gateway to Human Flight

For enthusiasts, thrill-seekers, or young athletes like Toms once was, the vertical wind tunnel experience at AERODIUM Sigulda is more than a bucket-list activity. It’s an open invitation to join a global community of flyers, creators, and innovators.

Whether you’re looking to have fun, train professionally, or simply experience the freedom of flight, AERODIUM offers that opportunity—with safety, joy, and unforgettable memories built in.

Conclusion: Toms Īvāns and the Future of Indoor Skydiving

Toms Īvāns’ journey from AERODIUM Sigulda to the pinnacle of indoor skydiving is a story of resilience, vision, and growth. His legacy continues—not just in his medals or famous collaborations—but in the hundreds of athletes and dreamers he now mentors.

And at the heart of it all is AERODIUM, the place that made it possible.