FAQ

Myth: Vertical Wind Tunnels Use Minimal Power

One of the most common misconceptions is that vertical wind tunnels require very little energy to operate. Some companies even advertise power consumption as low as 285 kW, claiming exceptional energy efficiency. But these figures can be misleading—often based on averages that don’t reflect real-world usage.

The Truth Behind the Numbers

AERODIUM CEO Ivars Beitāns addressed this myth head-on. He explained that power consumption is highly dynamic. It depends on several factors, including flyer size and flying style. Smaller flyers—like kids—need less wind. But larger individuals or athletes flying head-down need much more power to stay aloft. Beitāns compared it to quoting an “average temperature in a hospital”—technically correct, but practically useless.

Why It Matters

The difference in energy use isn’t just slight—it’s exponential. For instance, increasing wind speed from 180 km/h to 230 km/h more than doubles power consumption—from 240 kW to 570 kW. Indoor skydiving instructor Andy Durnford added that body position plays a huge role too: head-down flying requires far more energy than belly flying due to reduced surface area in the airflow. Bottom line: don’t be fooled by a single number—true power needs depend entirely on how the tunnel is used.

Myth: Passive Cooling Is More Effective

There’s a common technical misconception that passive cooling—venting hot air and drawing in cooler air from outside—is better or more cost-efficient than active cooling systems. At first glance, it seems simpler. But in real-world conditions, especially in warmer climates, passive cooling struggles to deliver consistent, safe performance.

Why Passive Cooling Falls Short

AERODIUM’s CTO, Arnis Rubīns, broke it down in the video below. In many parts of the world—including Western Europe and the U.S.—summer temperatures frequently hit 30–40°C. In those conditions, passive systems simply can’t cool the tunnel air effectively. The result? Overheated tunnels, uncomfortable flyers, and potentially unsafe operating conditions.

Active cooling, on the other hand, uses heat exchangers inside the turning vanes to actively regulate air temperature. This closed-loop system ensures more stable performance regardless of outdoor conditions.

Real-World Results: Active Cooling Wins

In side-by-side tests, AERODIUM found that active cooling systems not only provided better temperature control but also reduced power consumption by up to 30%. They’re also significantly quieter, which is a major plus for tunnels in urban or residential locations. The takeaway: passive cooling might be fine in cool climates—but for consistent, high-performance flying in a modern tunnel, active cooling is the smart choice.

Myth: Vertical Wind Tunnels Can Be Virtually Silent

Noise is a natural byproduct of vertical wind tunnels—they use extremely powerful fans to generate the airflow that keeps people flying. Still, some companies claim their tunnels operate at just 50 dB, about the volume of a quiet conversation. While that sounds impressive, it’s not only unnecessary—it’s unrealistic for most tunnel applications.

Why 62 dB Hits the Sweet Spot

CEO of AERODIUM Ivars Beitāns addressed the topic directly. While reducing noise is always a design priority, he explained that pushing for 50 dB would require major modifications, like ultra-thick glass, which adds cost and weight without noticeably improving the user experience. AERODIUM’s standard of 62 dB is quieter than the ambient noise in many shopping malls (typically 58–71 dB), making it more than sufficient for most locations.

Real Results, Real Comfort

Coach Andy Durnford shared his experience flying in AERODIUM tunnels. In older tunnels, ear protection was mandatory due to the high-pitched fan noise. But thanks to AERODIUM’s advanced soundproofing—including three layers of laminated glass totaling 34 mm—noise levels are significantly reduced. Durnford was even able to fly some sessions without ear protection for the first time in his career. The verdict? 62 dB isn’t just quiet—it’s a game-changer.

Myth: Cheaper Wind Tunnels Are Better for Business

Cost is always a factor—but in the world of vertical wind tunnels, lower upfront prices often come with hidden trade-offs. The belief that “cheaper is better” might sound appealing, but it can lead to major compromises in quality, safety, and long-term profitability.

Case Study: Quality Wins many times over

In AERODIUM’s 2023 Kyiv project—launched during wartime, no less—a nearby competitor tried to undercut prices by nearly half. But lower pricing didn’t mean better business. As Andy Durnford explained – flyers quickly noticed the difference: AERODIUM offered smoother airflow, better coaching, and patented safety features that made the entire experience more enjoyable and secure. The result? AERODIUM’s tunnel became the go-to choice, outpacing the cheaper alternative in both popularity and profit.

Why Cutting Corners Doesn’t Pay Off

A low-cost tunnel may save money upfront—but it risks poor performance, safety issues, and unhappy customers who don’t return. As AERODIUM founder Ivars Beitāns put it best, quoting Benjamin Franklin: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” If you’re serious about long-term success, invest in a tunnel that delivers premium quality and performance from day one.

In Newtonian physics, free fall is any motion of a body where gravity is the only force acting upon it. In the context of general relativity, where gravitation is reduced to a space-time curvature, a body in free fall has no force acting on it (source: Wikipedia)

Skydiving prices vary from place to place. Tandem jumps from the plane usually start from 180 EUR and can go up to 490 EUR.

An object in the technical sense of the term “free fall” may not necessarily be falling down in the usual sense of the term. An object moving upwards would not normally be considered to be falling, but if it is subject to the force of gravity only, it is said to be in free fall. From a physics point of view, this means that when the air flow rate reaches ca. 200 km/h (124 mph), the human body cannot fall down and keeps a constant altitude above the ground surface. By generating such a fast and stable air flow from the ground, conditions in which the body loses weight are created. Thus, people can enjoy the sensation of free fall by simulating skydiving.

Indoor skydiving, also known as bodyflight, is a sport of flying in a vertical wind tunnel. While usually these skydiving simulations take place indoors, the term is also used for flying in outdoor wind tunnels.

Skydiving is simulated with the help of vertical wind tunnels. They come in different shapes and sizes; nevertheless, there are two most common types:

– blower/air pusher tunnels are independent of any type of external structure and can be placed outdoors.

– sucker/vacuum wind tunnels are completely dependent on the external structures, which hold the air fans. The fans can be placed either on top or at the bottom of the flying chamber.

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.

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”. 

The object will eventually reach a terminal velocity, which is around 53 m/s (195 km/h or 122 mph[1]) for a human skydiver. In a face-down position, the average value of terminal velocity (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_velocity) is 180 to 210 km/h (120 mph). In another position called headfirst, the terminal velocity can reach over 320 km/h (200 mph).

Indoor/outdoor skydiving is a ‘skydiving simulator’. That means it gives you an experience as close as possible to real skydiving. The body responds to the air in the same way as it does when you jump from an airplane, where you can use your arms and legs to turn and move around.

On the other hand, you do not experience a true fall. Resistance to the airflow that is able to hold you above the ground is subject to a certain amount of body effort. Indoor skydiving is great fun, but it is cannot substitute the amazing views, which you can admire during skydiving. At the same time, people who are afraid of heights would rather enjoy flying in a controlled environment.

Safety is a big concern in a vertical wind tunnel design. Skydiver safety involves procedures that have to be followed by the skydiver and addressed by the instructor to avoid accidents. Skydivers do not have to be worried about falling, jumping or having a fear of heights because they start flying only one foot above the ground. Their first flight is accompanied by a trained instructor holding the skydiver’s arm. Depending on the skydiver’s comfort, the airflow level may be increased; it means the skydiver would be able to go higher inside the flight chamber and challenge himself with different movements, still keeping a high level of safety.

Indoor skydiving is the safest way to get feelings similar to jumping out of a plane from an altitude of 10,000 feet. It has made getting flying experience accessible to a much broader public. Tunnels also allow pro flyers to focus on flying skills in a smaller area and in a controlled environment. One minute of wind tunnel flight is equivalent to one parachute jump. It has been a breakthrough addition to the development and future of skydiving sport. Individuals and teams can now train for skydiving competitions at a fraction of the cost and independently on the season, unlike real skydiving.

PARASIM: an interactive training simulator that enables parachute jumpers to hone their skills and plan missions on the ground before they take to the air. Combining 3-D virtual reality technology with validated parachute dynamics and realistic controls, it simulates what jumpers see and experience” PARASIM have used as the standard procedure for aircrew and paratrooper training. This is a virtual reality parachute training simulator. Recreating the experience of a real jump without airflow.

Mall Skydiving Simulators: A virtual reality simulator providing flying sensations, which involves an arcade type of wingsuit mechanism. It involves the whole body in the process of the virtual reality experience.

Mobile Skydiving Simulators: Or in other words, called portable skydiving simulators. Self-contained designed mobile systems for fast installation. There are fully mobile or semi-stationary models and assembly time usually takes just a couple hours. The structure is mounted on a mobile trailer and powered by a diesel engine.

Source

The minimum recommended age is 4 years, and there is no upper limit. There are records of people flying well over the age of 100 years.

Vertical wind tunnels have a maximum capacity of 25 flights per hour with a flight time of 2 minutes per person.

Passive Capacity: Spectators love watching people fly in wind tunnels, including acrobatic tricks by pro flyers. The entertainment value of this attraction makes it the perfect anchor for alternative revenue sources like food and beverage, retail products, sponsorship opportunities, and corporate and competitive events.

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.

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.

While there is a common belief that outdoor tunnels are loud, as a matter of fact, the sound generated by modern models is within the normal range for installation in residential areas. Generally, the sound of an outdoor tunnel does not exceed 65-75 dBA in the spectator area, depending on the model.

Classic permanent installations require large-scale building constructions, often involving excavations to accommodate return air chambers. Everything together makes a rather massive construction with high costs. In contrast, open-air wind tunnels do not need a foundation and can be placed on any even surface, such as a parking lot.

The size of a tunnel is measured most commonly by the diameter of the flight chamber. The larger the diameter, the more people can fly simultaneously. The most common size is 14 ft (4.3 m), which is required by pro skydivers and for competitions. However, recently smaller sized tunnels are becoming increasingly popular, as they are more efficient for training beginners and more affordable for the general public. But generally, wind tunnels from 2m up to 9.8m in diameter can be found.

First-time flyers fly in the belly-to-earth position, which requires the slowest airspeed of any position up to 220 km/h (136 mph). This means that even the slowest wind tunnels are able to accommodate the main indoor skydiving market. Modern facilities operate at high speeds to support the needs of skydivers and pro-flyers, which enjoy having speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph).

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. 

You have a choice between both – franchising and outright ownership. With outright ownership, you have more freedom to operate the business as you wish. The downside is that it will require a much deeper involvement and building your own brand. In the franchise option, you would get a full support package and the renowned Aerodium branding, which both will facilitate running the business.

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 provided warranty and maintenance service and its scope is an integral part of the signed agreement and differs from model to model. Aerodium employs a team of highly qualified engineers, who are able to come and fix any issues on the client’s premises.

Yes, open-air models can be installed in theme parks, family entertainment centers, shopping malls, and stand-alone venues. However, it is important to remember that a very substantial Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system will be required. The size and/or amount of systems required will vary depending on local law(s) and building requirements.

Closed recirculating vertical wind tunnel systems can be operated all year round and are independent of the weather. Open-air model operation, however, is limited by weather conditions: cold, wind, snow and rain, which introduces seasonality.

Yes. These models can be moved if necessary. It would take several days and some manpower and machinery, but it is doable. In any case, we are here to help you along the way.

Innovations – AERODIUM wind tunnels are equipped with innovative, patent pending technology related to safety, efficiency, and design. Design – AERODIUM puts a focus on design of tunnels and support premises as it has a significant impact on overall flight experience and turns flying into an unforgettable adventure. Shows and movies – no other company in this field has acquired so many projects related to show business and movie industry. AERODIUM wind tunnels are built to create a WOW factor. Experience – AERODIUM is the original inventor of the recreational vertical wind tunnel industry, pioneering the concept in 1979. Since then, it has amassed the most extensive knowledge and experience in the field.

Freefall simulator + an amazing restaurant or bar + retail = Stand Alone Venue. You can create a business with a mobile vertical wind tunnel almost everywhere and it will serve as the “centerpiece” and act as the main entertainment. Guests will crave after new experience; it will be the ultimate hang out spot.

Almost anywhere! It could be close to a busy place where you can reach your customers. What you really need is a population with the right demographics and some good traffic. Remember though, the first three rules of real estate apply here – Location, Location, and third, Location! Or 3V – View, View, View.

It varies across all of Aerodium models, but the Most Compact Open-Air model O1 uses 300kW/hr.  Operational cost is calculated by multiplying local electrical costs by kW/hour used.

Indoor skydiving is operated in a controlled setting that provides a safe experience for everyone. With any activity, there will always be potential risks involved. However, because all the variables are controlled, the risk of injury is minimal.

Weight limits are set in place for the safety of the flyer and the instructor, usually ranging from 110kg to 140kg, and are different in each facility. The flight instructor’s main job is to keep everyone safe, which at times, could require spotting and catching.

Wind speeds are manually controlled by each facility. Therefore, there is no weight minimum. Smaller flyers are not in danger of receiving too much wind for their body size.

Flyers should be in decent physical shape to fly. There will be a significant amount of wind pressure on your shoulders, participants with weak shoulders or prior shoulder dislocations are recommended not to fly. Your body will be in an arched position with your hips forwards. If you have back issues that prevent this body position you should avoid flying. Any other serious health issues should be discussed with a physician prior to flying.

Jumpsuits will be worn over your street clothing. Comfortable, non-restrictive clothing should be worn beneath with secure, lace-up shoes that cover your toes. Flyers with long hair should tie it together.

Flight time per person will vary from location to location. Most tunnels offer first-time flight packages ranging from 2 to 3 minutes per person.

Traditional free fall time for a real skydive is roughly 60 seconds long. Flight packages normally begin with 2 minutes of flight time and go up from there. For those in average or above average physical shape, more flight time will make for a better experience. Like any other sport, the more you fly, the more you can endure.

The time it takes for the entire experience will vary based on a number of factors, including the day of the week, time of the day, the number of people in your group. A safe bet is to plan one hour for individuals and up to two hours for groups of people.

Indoor skydiving can be dangerous without proper training. Each location will include a safety and training briefing before your flight. This orientation will explain the proper body position, and how to communicate with the instructor once you are in the wind tunnel. There is time allotted to get suited up in all the necessary equipment, and afterwards, you will rotate with other flyers who have also purchased flying time.

There will always be an instructor inside the flight chamber for safety purposes. Once you become an experienced flyer and are able to perform movements safely on your own, you will be given more freedom. Until you reach professional status, there will always be an instructor in the door for spotting purposes.

In time you can learn how to do flips and tricks on your own. For the first time, you will remain in a belly to earth body position. If you are doing well on your own, some instructors may assist you in certain maneuvers, however, you will not have the control your first time to safely perform advanced tricks and flips.

First-time flight experiences are typically made within arms reach of the instructor. This will allow them to communicate with you, ensure safety, and teach you how to move your body in the proper position. In an open tunnel, the distance can reach 5-6 meters , but in indoor tunnels, it depends on the height of flight chamber.