Nobody can say I won’t soar to new heights for a good story, but for you, my dear readers, I summoned up all my courage and experienced IFly first-hand.
From outside the see-through wind tunnel I watched the flight instructors spin, leap, twirl and perform stunts that would make Neo from "The Matrix" look positively clumsy. With half a pound of turkey from Thanksgiving the night before inside me, I felt pretty sure I’d drop like a stone. The metal mesh floor looked secure, but knowing that a huge circulatory fan is somewhere underneath did little to quell my nerves.
I’m a terra-firma kind of gal, but after a few braver souls attempted IFly with perma-grins sealed to their faces, I had to see what all the fuss was about. Signing away any personal liability before I’ve had my morning coffee didn’t exactly inspire my confidence. I had no doubt that IFly was perfectly safe, but I’ve been known to trip over my feet while standing still. Human flight to me is for the birds.
The staff of IFly Hollywood led me immediately into a room where an instructor teaches the basics of free-fall flight as if it were the most natural thing in the world. It’s pretty simple. Cross your arms and relax into the wind rushing at you with speeds around 85 M.P.H. "Relax, feel the wind," they say. As a Texan who has seen more tornadoes than Helen Hunt in "Twister" the one thing you can never do is relax.
A brief video shows happy flyers suspended in mid-air, illustrating further instructions on hand signals and proper body position. Keep your head up at all times, extend your arms in front of you and have your legs shoulder length apart, all while arching your back. I look around the room filled with photographs of adrenaline junkies soaring from planes. All I can think is at least they get a parachute.
It’s time to gear up. I’m outfitted in a snazzy blue and black flight suit, goggles and a helmet. After jamming my ears with provided and of course, disposable ear plugs, the idea of free-falling suddenly hits me. I try not to think about jet engines sucking birds into its blades. I block out that "King of the Hill" episode where Peggy’s parachute doesn’t open. I recite a few, calming mantras and step inside the chamber. It’s been my experience that nothing good comes from being inside a chamber, but again that may just be Texan thing.
Thankfully, I’m not first up. I watch as a guest does as instructed, falling into the wind tunnel with his arms crossed and his head held high. After a few seconds, he seems to find his groove. This buoys my spirits, but only a little as I realize this is a spectator sport.
What makes IFly Hollywood so different from other indoor sky-diving facilities is that it is made of thick, clear acrylic so guests can see all around them as they fly. It also means strangers wandering past can stop and watch you. A gruesome death or fantastic injury pales in comparison to public humiliation.
I opt to let another take flight. Beside me is a certified instructor, controlling the wind speed inside the chamber. I lean in and try to get a look at how fast this thing is going. It’s impossible to tell so I ask him. I can’t make out what he said, but the translation is pretty darn fast. Oh boy.
I’m up. My flight instructor, Kris Snyder, waves me over. I’m smiling. Keep smiling is all I tell myself as I cross my arms and prepare to fall into the wind tunnel. I couldn’t have been in better hands as Kris had enough enthusiastic confidence for the both of us.
It happens very fast. The brief moment of falling is followed by the rush of wind carrying you up. The trick is to move as little as possible. No problems there. But my legs are too bent, a job hazard from sitting all day typing away for you, dear readers. Nice, slow movements are key, but with the wind blasting away it’s hard to even feel your body, let along control your limbs.
I figure it out, and the floating sensation overwhelms me. This is just too cool. I feel weightless against the force of air rolling under me. There are smiling faces of spectators outside watching me as I naturally spin with the air. I smile back.
Every guest experiences flight for only a couple of minutes. This may be to keep your body from becoming exhausted by the propulsion of air. And the flight experience lasts for a couple of rounds. By watching others do it, and getting over the initial shock the first time around, the experience becomes much easier. I was pumped and ready by the second round. By the third I kept trying to fly past Kris’s head. It’s easy to get over your fears once you give it a try.
Our instructor, Kris, was fantastic. Always supervising from within the tunnel, Kris guides with those all-important hand signals, instructing any adjustments that will make the flying experience even better. Staying close, and usually keeping a grip on your arms or legs until you get the hang of it, Kris is always there to catch or readjust should you need help.
I’m not much for flying. In all my years I’ve never even so much as racked up frequent flyer miles with any airline. And the jury is still out on whether I’ll ever tandem jump in an open-air sky-dive, but IFly Hollywood indoor sky-diving is one of the most exhilarating experiences, even for the molest groundhog like me.
Kris kept saying "There’s nothing like it!" He’s right, there isn’t.
IFly Hollywood is located at Universal Citywalk, across from Cafe Tu Tu Tango, and next to Jillian’s.
IFly Hollywood
818-985-IFLY (4359)
www.Iflyhollywood.com
Hi! Glad that you had a great time doing this, thanks for posting about it! I’m thinking about getting one for my husband for his Birthday. How long do they last? With the training beforehand, how long does the whole experience take?
Thanks in advance!