Essential Information
Glossary – Indoor Skydiving Terminology
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Wind Tunnel Related Terms
For commonly asked questions see our Indoor Skydiving FAQ’s
Recirculating – Referring to a wind tunnel where the air is re-used by passing through a closed circular system.
Open Flow – Referring to a wind tunnel where the air passes through an open system, pulling in outside air.
Air Straightener – A constructed ‘waffle like’ structure that air passes through in order to provide a smoother flying experience.
Flight Chamber – The chamber where the indoor skydiver flies. Depending on the type of tunnel, the flight chamber may be wall-to-wall or wall-less. Wall-to-wall tunnels normally have a flight chamber constructed of glass or Plexi.
Anti-Chamber – The chamber usually featuring a bench where flyers wait to fly. The anti-chamber is usually directly outside the tunnel with easy access to the tunnel door.
Air Lock – Referring to a small chamber that allows flyers to enter the anti-chamber while the tunnel is running.
Turning Vane – A series of curved guides designed to ‘turn’ the direction of airflow.
Net – Referring to the woven wire mesh along the bottom of the flight chamber. This net allows the air to pass through the flight chamber.
Wall-to-wall – Referring to a vertical wind tunnel which features a wall around the flight chamber. Most commonly referring to wall-to-wall airflow. This means that it is impossible for the flyer to fly out the side of the column of air.
Flight Related Terms
Block Time – Referring to a purchased amount of time in a wind tunnel. IE a 15 minute ‘block’.
Rotation – Referring to two people alternating turns in the wind tunnel to give breaks. A common situation would be two flyers with 15 minutes each rotating in a 30-minute block.
Belly Flying – Flying with the belly prominently exposed to the wind.
Back Flying – Flying with the back prominently exposed to the wind.
Sit Flying/Head Up – Flying in a vertical, right side up position.
Head Down – Flying in a vertical, upside-down position.
VFS – Short for Vertical Formation Skydiving. This is a structured competition style of freeflying utilizing vertical points.
FS – Formation Skydiving. This is a structured competition style of flying. Participants fly in a belly to earth position, creating multiple linked formations.
Freeflying – Referring to flying the body in all orientations including sit and head down.
Dynamic – Referring to a style of indoor skydiving. Dynamic flying is normally represented with a style of flying your body with constant motion through all orientations.
Static – Flying in a single orientation or set of orientations with little or no movement.
Burble – The area above a flyer in reference to the wind. This area is essentially a low-pressure area which gives a feeling of low/no-wind when flown through.
Grip – A point of contact between two skydivers or indoor skydivers. IE hand to foot, hand to hand.
Formation – A linked set of skydivers or indoor skydivers.
Dive Pool – A defined list of moves or points used to create a competition.
Point – A set of grips within a pre-defined formation.
Gear Related Terms
Cordura – A common type of material used on indoor skydiving flightsuits.
Jumpsuit/Flightsuit – A one-piece suit crafted for use in a vertical wind tunnel or skydiving environment. Most commonly custom tailored for each person.
Full Face/Open Face – Referring to the type of helmet. Helmets without visors, being an open face. Helmets with visors being full face.
Visor – The clear plastic cover on a full face helmet.
Goggles – Special goggles used to block the wind from the eyes while skydiving or indoor skydiving.
Published: April 7, 2014 | Last Updated: December 2, 2021
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