Made In Chicago: iFly Indoor Skydiving
Ever wanted to skydive but didn't have the guts? Now's your chance at the new iFly in Rosemont and in Naperville.
"It's a vertical wind tunnel so it basically simulates free fall. It's for the people who could never imagine themselves jumping out of a plane," said Hilary Bruce, General Manager, iFly Rosemont.
The experience is made possible utilizing technology used by the military and professional skydivers for training.
"The wind is directed down the side of the building and it comes up through this tube. Basically you lie belly to the ground and you are able to simulate what free fall would feel like if you jumped out of a plane."
But before you fly, you have to learn the technique. Instructor Rob Thompson shows a short video and then talks about the dos and don'ts once inside the wind tunnel.
"Body position is quite simple. It's like making a giant X with your body with a few modification. You want your feet parallel. Keep your hips forward like you're doing the limbo," said Thompson, who teaches some hand signals because once in the tunnel, it's impossible to talk to each other.
A little wardrobe change, and you're ready to fly.
With wind speeds of up to 175 miles per hour, it may take a little getting used to keep your back arched, and chin up helps you float higher.
"The minute you feel that wind blast, get your arms out, use your arms as wings to fly so you can get stable."
For first time flier Kyle Harkin, it's a rush beyond words.
"You basically getting pushed a lot, you gotta keep a really steady position and breath. Would you do it again? Absolutely. It was a lot of fun," said Harkin.
Bruce says it's a perfect attraction for thrill seekers looking to fly without the risk.
"A lot of people just want to keep doing it, it's quite addicting and it's lots and lots of fun," said Bruce.
The first iFly opened in Orlando in 1999. Now in dozens of locations across the world, it has flown more than six million people. iFly Rosemont and Naperville opened this summer.