Adrenaline experiences are becoming increasingly popular - many people are looking for ways to push their limits and try something new. Tandem skydiving and wind tunnel flying are two popular adrenaline activities that offer adventure combined with the feeling of free fall. And while the principle is similar, the experiences are quite different.
Is a wind tunnel flight like jumping out of an airplane?
Wind tunnel flight takes place in an enclosed space that simulates free-fall conditions. A strong current of air blowing at speeds of up to 270 km/h blows you from below. The sensations of freefall are completely authentic and you can try out different tricks because you don't have an instructor strapped to your back, only in the flight chamber with you. Only you walk into the tunnel on your own and you don't fly the plane to an altitude of around 4,000 metres beforehand.
When you jump out of the plane, you plummet to the ground at a speed of around 200 km/h and the whole experience is in the hands of the instructor, who takes care of opening the parachute and then crawling to the ground. You won't experience the slow descent in the open chamber, but the free fall takes much longer than the jump. Depending on the altitude, the most common free fall from the plane is about 40-60 seconds, and in the wind tunnel you will glide several times in 1.5 minute segments.
And if you'd like the wind tunnel free-fall to be even more authentic, we recommend getting a voucher for flying in a wind tunnel with virtual reality. But before that, be sure to study everything you've ever wanted to know about wind tunnels.
Free fall for kids, or just for adults?
For tandem skydiving, the age limit depends on the arrangement with the instructor. Generally, adventurers 8 years of age and older will jump. However, children as young as 5 years of age can go on a free fall adventure in the wind tunnel. A much wider range of people can enjoy the adrenaline rush of the air.
As for the upper limit, there is no upper limit for either experience. The oldest skydiver is 104 (and didn't start jumping until she was 100). For indoor skydiving, there is no such information to be found. But that doesn't mean you can't go out with your grandparents and hunt down such a record.
You can jump out of a plane almost anywhere, you can only fly in a tunnel in Prague
In terms of the breadth of locations, tandem skydiving, which you can jump in virtually any region, leads the pack. All you need is an airport and trained instructors. There is only one wind tunnel or free fall simulator in the Czech Republic, the Hurricane Factory in Prague Letňany.
So whether you type Brno, Ostrava or Olomouc wind tunnel into Google, it will always take you to the one in Prague. At least for now. On the other hand, it's close to Prague from almost every corner of the country, and the trip is definitely worth the experience. Check out the review, where you can read how great the Adropac team enjoyed flying.
Wind tunnel and skydiving price comparison
We have a clear winner for the prize, and that's the wind tunnel, where you can fly from 1 429 CZK. The price of tandem skydiving varies from airport to airport. At Adrop you will find the cheapest jump from 3 999 CZK crowns.
Which experience is better enjoyed as a couple or in a group?
Wind tunnel for two, or tandem jump in tandem? Sharing the experience with friends or a loved one is easier with the wind tunnel, where it works out cheaper and you can also take turns in the flight chamber with each other as the other gathers strength for the next entry. When skydiving, you each fly with your own instructor and meet back on the ground.
But if you just want spectators to cheer you on, you'll do better in the tunnel - the flight chamber is transparent and can be seen throughout the experience. The escorts have to wait on the ground for the jumpers from the plane.
TIP: If you'd like to go as a pair, try tandem paragliding for 2.
You won't get a free fall, but you'll be treated to some perfectly romantic views!
How about the safety of both experiences?
While jumping out of a plane seems like the more dangerous experience, it's actually not. In fact, both experiences are very safe. While in the wind tunnel, if you don't follow the instructor's advice, the most you can do is spank yourself on the glass of the flight chamber, the most you can risk in the tandem jump is a bounced ankle on a not-so-soft landing.
So now you know if freefalling in a wind tunnel is the attraction you're looking for, or are you more drawn to the more adrenaline-pumping jump out of an airplane?
