Indoor Skydiving With the Red Bull Air Force!

By Balachander Ramachandran on November 25, 2014

“For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return” – Leonardo da Vinci.

Ever since I read “Through a Dragon’s Eye,” chapter 22 of Eragon, I have always wanted to fly. Humans can experience something close to this thanks to the various forms of adventure sports. I got a chance to do this when the Falling Illini, the skydiving club at the University of Illinois, in association with the Red Bull Air Force, sponsored a trip to iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Rosemont, IL.

We were joined by some heavyweights. Sean Maccormac, Mike Swanson, Jeff Provenzano and Amy Chmelecki from the Red Bull Air Force team are more than just professionals skydivers. I was amazed by their 15,000 plus skydiving experience and  wowed when I learnt that they had done some of the amazing stunts in movies like “Transformers”, “Iron Man 3″ and “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara” to name a few.

All in all they were a fun gang to hang out and skydive with.

Indoor Skydiving With the Red Bull Air Force!

I got to do a total of two flights. Each flight consisted of three rounds of 1 minute 40 seconds in the wind tunnel. The experience kicks off with a simple tutorial that introduces all the hand signals used inside the tunnel and the simple movements that will help us fly. After gearing up, the Red Bull team gave us a few pointers to help us first timers get an idea of what to do when inside the tunnel. This added bonus did help later on. I eagerly waited for my time to let go and fly!

When the time finally came, I fell into the tunnel and was greeted with a blast of air. Immediately your mind is racing to even remember the simple instructions that you received earlier. Even the slightest of movements has such a large effect on your balance.

The iFLY instructor and one of the members from the Red Bull team constantly guided us. But once you found your balance, at that instant of time, lo and behold! you are actually flying. The pure bliss of actually floating in the air is a unique and enthralling experience that everyone must have the opportunity to enjoy at least once in their lives. It is so exhilarating that you find yourself waiting in line for your next turn.

And you can rise and fall just by using your hip! Every movement has a purpose. I learnt to let go and yet be firm. I thought my day was made when the iFLY instructor took me swirling and soaring up to the top of the tunnel and down again. But it was topped off when the Red Bull team finally showed off their skills. They are a sight to watch and admire; executing simple maneuvers with such ease. The chemistry of the team was easily seen by their synchronized efforts. You can watch them again and again and never be bored.

Thanks to the Falling Illini and the Red Bull team for giving me this amazing experience!

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