While skydiving is an amazing experience, it is somewhat inaccessible for many people. The high cost and risk of jumping from an airplane and freefalling for 30 seconds before gliding down can be intimidating. However, you can get the thrill and sensation of skydiving without stepping foot on an airplane. So, what is indoor skydiving?
Indoor skydiving lets you experience the thrill of freefall without jumping from a plane. You wear a special suit to be more aerodynamic in a wind tunnel where powerful fans create speeds up to 180 mph. It is much safer than outdoor skydiving, but rare injuries such as bruises can occur when inside the wind tunnel.
Indoor skydiving is also cheaper than outdoor skydiving and costs $80-$100 in most cases. Follow along as we highlight everything that you need to know about skydiving.
What is Indoor Skydiving?
Indoor skydiving is a safe and popular indoor alternative to standard skydiving. Traditional skydiving involves jumping from a plane and freefalling for roughly 30 seconds at 120 miles per hour. Indoor skydiving creates a similar sensation as they create wind speeds between 150 and 180 miles per hour in many cases.
Indoor skydiving typically takes place within high-tech wind tunnels. The machinery that makes indoor skydiving possible costs upwards of $500,000. Each indoor skydiving flight lasts between 50 and 120 seconds in most cases.
Part of the appeal of indoor skydiving is that it scratches the itch of skydiving, but it involves must less risk. Indoor skydiving is popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, and growing around the globe.
This video is showing a pro and also a rookie indoor skydiver, which I thought was pretty funny. But it also shows the reality of the sport. Here is what indoor skydiving looks like:
@juanpazurita Indoor skydiving is so much fun 😄 @reginaarueda ♬ original sound – Matty Chymbor
How Does Indoor Skydiving Work?
Indoor skydiving works from fans and a wind tunnel that creates an airlift. Heavy-duty motors and fans circulate and generate air and gradually increase in speed. The wind speed can reach up to 180 miles per hour (290 kilometers per hour).
You wear a special wind suit that effectively inflates as the wind hits it. This lets you float to the top of the wind tunnel. When you reach the end of your 50 to 120-second flight, the fans will slow down as you slowly float back to the bottom surface or your guide will help you back to the entrance of the wind tunnel.
What to Expect at Your First Indoor Skydiving Session
There is no better way to have a great indoor skydiving experience than if you go into it as prepared as possible. Failure to prepare can leave you confused and ultimately unable to appreciate the experience as much as you would otherwise. Let’s look at what you can expect from the full indoor skydiving experience.
When You Should Show Up
Showing up on time can ensure that your indoor skydiving experience gets off to a great start. Many indoor skydiving facilities require you to show up one hour before your appointment. In some cases, they will tell you to show up 30-40 minutes before your appointment.
The extra time before your appointment is necessary because you need time to prepare. Depending on where you go, preparation can include payment, paperwork, gearing up, and taking the introduction class.
Gearing Up
Gearing up doesn’t take long if you show up in the right clothes. It isn’t recommended that you wear collared shirts or jewelry when you go indoor skydiving. Your wind suit won’t comfortably fit if you wear bulky clothes or collared shirts.
Jewelry can also pose a physical risk and it is strictly prohibited at most reputable skydiving locations. I recommend wearing comfortable tennis shoes, sweatpants, and a t-shirt. That way, you can easily put your wind suit on without reducing its aerodynamic nature.
Introduction Class and Training
The introduction class is the most important part of indoor skydiving. These classes take anywhere from 10-25 minutes or even longer depending on your group size and where you go. Instructors will tell you what to expect and how to carry your body in the wind tunnel.
It’s important to pay attention and ask questions if need be. They will tell you how to hold your body to maintain as much control as possible for such a weightless sensation. This will help ease any anxiety that you have and will also ensure that you can get the most out of the experience.
Your First Flight
Your first flight will likely be a short one. Most indoor skydiving services recommend that first-timers choose the shortest flight package. Many places, like iFLY, offer 60-second fights, and that is perfect if you are new to indoor skydiving.
Novice indoor skydivers are often worried about nausea and breathing. While nausea is possible, it is uncommon and manageable because of how short it lasts.
What Does Indoor Skydiving Feel Like?
Indoor skydiving creates a weightless feeling. You essentially float in the air and don’t feel tethered to the rules of physics that we are all used to. It feels similar to traditional skydiving, but it is much less intense.
That is because you aren’t freefalling even if it feels that way. It is also much more gradual than skydiving as the fans slowly increase at the beginning and decrease at the end of the flight.
How Does Indoor Skydiving Compare to Outdoor Skydiving?
Indoor skydiving is a fun and safe alternative to outdoor skydiving. You don’t have to worry about things like the weather and wind conditions with indoor skydiving. Conversely, your outdoor skydiving experience lives and dies by how windy it is and if there is rain falling from the sky.
Indoor skydiving does a great job of replicating the weightlessness of outdoor skydiving. However, it does this without requiring you to perfectly time your parachute pull. This removes some of the stress of skydiving and lets you enjoy the unique sensation.
You do miss out on the real freefall that is known for is exhilarating rush and beautiful views. Overall, these are still 2 very different experiences, but it’s the closest thing to get a “feel” for freefalling.
Here is a quick comparison of indoor vs outdoor skydiving.
Indoor Skydiving in a Wind Tunnel:
- Controlled environment
- Shorter duration
- Safer for beginners
- Less natural sensation of freefall
- Limited view of surroundings
- No weather unpredictability (always open)
Outdoor Skydiving from a Plane:
- Natural setting
- Longer duration (freefall times are similar, but then you have the 4-5 min parachute ride down)
- More thrilling
- Unpredictable due to weather conditions
- Large view of surroundings
- Higher altitude and feeling of being high up
Who Can Go Indoor Skydiving?
Indoor skydiving is accessible as the age and weight restrictions are lax. For example, places like iFLY accept people that are as young as 3 years old. However, a parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form in this case.
You can also go indoor skydiving if you are up to 100 years old. Reputable indoor skydiving facilities don’t recommend that people attempt it if they have serious heart problems or a respiratory condition. Indoor skydiving facilities like iFLY also turn away customers if they weigh over 300 pounds (136 kilograms) for their safety.
It’s also recommended that you don’t go indoor skydiving if you have neck and back problems. Floating can put your body in a strange position that can put a strain on your back and back even if you are healthy.
Read our related post “What is the Age Requirement for iFLY Indoor Skydiving?”
Read our related post “Does iFLY Indoor Skydiving Have a Weight Limit?”
Is Indoor Skydiving Difficult?
Indoor skydiving isn’t difficult as the fans and wind tunnel do most of the work for you. With that said, you can make the experience easier and more fun if you hold your body correctly. The best method is to arch your body to give yourself as much airlift as possible.
This will help keep your body even during your flight so that you don’t sway too much. Beginners can benefit from doing this as it helps eliminate unwanted side effects such as dizziness and nausea.
What’s the Difference Between a Pro and a Beginner?
The key difference between a pro and a beginner is that pros can more easily control the experience. Experienced indoor skydivers can easily move around the wind tunnel by shifting their position. This is quite difficult for beginners because it takes several flights to figure out how to hold your body to raise or lower yourself.
Pro indoor skydivers can perform tricks as well. While this isn’t recommended for beginners, many fun indoor skydiving tricks are worth learning. The “head down breaker” and “half eagle” are among the most popular indoor skydiving tricks for pros.
| Aspect | Beginner | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Very Limited | Very Advanced |
| Body Position | Basic Positions | Advanced |
| Tricks | None | Advanced Level Tricks (Half Eagle, Full Reverse Eagle, Head Up/Down Breakers) |
| Flight Time | Short | Extended |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Safety | Instructor required | Self-regulated |
What is Indoor Formation Skydiving?
Indoor Formation Skydiving involves a team of skydivers performing a choreographed routine of formations, transitions, and aerial maneuvers while flying indoors in the wind tunnel. The team works together to create a sequence of movements, with each skydiver taking on a specific role and position within the formation.
IFS is a popular discipline within the world of skydiving, as it allows teams to train and refine their skills in a controlled environment.
Indoor Formation Skydiving can be performed in teams of two, four, or eight, and the formations can range from simple geometric shapes to more complex designs and sequences. The sport requires a high degree of skill, teamwork, and communication, as the team must work together to maintain stability, precision, and timing in their movements.
Watch the Vertical Formation Skydiving video of the British Indoor Skydiving National from 2022:
Is Indoor Skydiving Dangerous?
Indoor skydiving isn’t dangerous, especially when you compare it to outdoor skydiving. Bruises are the most common indoor skydiving injuries. Bruises can occur if you accidentally bump into the walls in the wind tunnel. The risk of injury goes up significantly if you have preexisting neck and back problems.
What you want to avoid the most when indoor skydiving is going up high and falling quickly into the mesh flooring. It is possible to land on your head potentially hurting your neck. Beginners don’t have to worry about this as much since an instructor is holding you during your beginner flights to prevent such crashes.
When Was Indoor Skydiving Invented?
Indoor skydiving was invented in 1964. It was created by a Nasa scientist, and that makes sense when you consider how useful it is to future astronauts. Indoor skydiving served as a training exercise for astronauts and aerospace engineers for years.
It didn’t become a popular recreational activity until the late 1990s, however indoor skydiving has become a worldwide phenomenon since 1998 when companies like iFLY started. Today iFLY alone has nearly 40 locations in the world.
How Much Does Indoor Skydiving Cost?
Indoor skydiving costs an average of $80 per person, but it varies based on where you go. Rates typically vary between $60 and $100. Most facilities package two flights into a single appointment. Places like iFLY offer group rates and discounts based on how many flights you book.
Read our related post “How Much Is iFLY Indoor Skydiving Per Person?”
Is Indoor Skydiving Popular?
Indoor skydiving is wildly popular. Many companies, such as iFLY report over a million customers per year. This makes indoor skydiving more popular than outdoor skydiving, and that is likely due to how accessible it is.
Where are the Best Places to Go Indoor Skydiving in the US?
Pigeon Forge, Atlanta, Baltimore, Las Vegas, and Branson are the best places to go indoor skydiving in the US. These cities have incredible indoor skydiving facilities and are surrounded by many other fun attractions in the area. For example, Branson and Pigeon Forge have plenty of hiking trails and great local restaurants to explore after your indoor skydiving flight.
What is iFLY?
The world’s largest indoor skydiving company, iFLY has been around since 1998. They offer individual indoor skydiving appointments as well as corporate bookings, birthday parties, and military training exercises. They have nearly 40 locations throughout the world and cater to over 1 million people per year.
You can even rent out an iFLY location based on hourly or daily rates. They use state-of-the-art, high-end fans in their wind tunnels. The trampoline floor makes iFLY wind tunnels as safe as possible. Their impressive and comfortable wind suits make it easy to float through the air and even perform tricks.
Final Thoughts
Indoor skydiving is a safe outdoor skydiving alternative. Massive fans with powerful motors generate wind speeds as high as 180 miles per hour. While indoor skydiving is safer than outdoor skydiving, injuries are still possible as some people get bruises on the sides of the wind tunnel.
Millions of people go indoor skydiving each year. A standard appointment that includes two flights rarely costs more than $100, and it’s worth every penny.
Nick Durante is a professional writer that primarily focuses on extreme sports. Parasailing, paragliding, skydiving, and skateboarding are his particular areas of expertise. When he isn’t writing about extreme sports, he is catching up on the world of skateboarding and spending time outside.