The number of personnel depends on the tunnel size and the utilization capacity ratio. It usually requires personnel of 3 employees during operation (2 instructors and 1 administrator). However, running a full-scale wind tunnel business requires at least 2 such shifts.

The building time of a wind tunnel facility strongly depends on the selected model, the local conditions, the duration of required approval procedures, and the issuing of permits. If all conditions are met, an open-air tunnel can be built in less than 6 months and a recirculation tunnel in less than 12 months. 

The smallest open-air AERODIUM wind tunnel models would require a CAPEX of just 0.7 million EUR. However, most recirculating tunnel projects require an investment of 6 to 10 million EUR.

Firstly, it depends on the type (indoor or outdoor) and size of the tunnel. Overall size of the wind tunnel depends on the flight zone, which varies from 2 m to 6 m in diameter. Secondly, it depends on the location and the individual details of the whole building. Estimated total costs of a vertical wind tunnel project vary from 0.7 to 1.7 million EUR for compact class models. The investment for PRO models with premium level support building vary from 3 to 10 million EUR.

Outdoor or open-air tunnels allow customers to enjoy the true sensation of flying without restrictions. In open-air wind tunnels, the flyer is not positioned inside the perimeter-bound protective glass or other similar barriers. Hence, the flight itself is more like a free fall flight, gives more freedom and does not limit the view.

A specially designed wind flow prevents the flyer from leaving the wind column and helps staying in the optimum wind flow zone.

For safety reasons, the outer perimeter of the wind tunnel is equipped with a special safety net and the floor features padded cushions.

Outdoor/open-air vertical wind tunnels are commonly used for shows, events, and brand promotion, but can also be operated in permanent locations.

In 2017 AERODIUM designed the World’s biggest open-air tunnel, AERODIUM Peryton, that was used for the filming of “Mission Impossible: Fallout”. It completely redefined the concept and experience of open-air tunnels. Some of the skydivers described their impressions after flying in Peryton as “The closest experience to real skydiving”. 

Indoor or recirculation tunnels allow customers to learn to fly very quickly. The flyer is positioned inside a perimeter-bound protective glass. This boundary ensures that flyers stay in the airflow throughout the session and learn flying positions more easily. 

Recirculation tunnels are typically used for integration inside buildings, for example, shopping malls. This technology is equipped with a climate control system and is weather independent, thus being a great solution for very hot as well as cold, and rainy climate zones.

Due to the enclosed or recirculating air loop this technology can generate very high airflow speeds up to 300 km/h (186 mph). It is one of the main factors why indoor tunnels are so popular among skydivers. High airflow speed allows skydivers to challenge and push the limits of their flying skills. However, for those who try this experience for the first time airflow speed of 220 km/h (136 mph) is completely sufficient.

Recirculation tunnels can also accommodate competitions. Tunnels with flight area diameter of 4.3 m (14 ft) have been accepted as a competition standard for World Indoor Skydiving Championships. AERODIUM tunnel in Bahrain hosted the World Indoor Skydiving Championship in 2018.