By Karen Olson House, August 2009
- Introduction
- From Tunnel Rats to Pro Skydivers
- Video of Carolina Country's Karen House Skydiving
- Download the full article as a
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If they were nervous, the men from 1stst Battalion, 321st Airborne, were good at hiding it. They methodically suited up, then lined up next to the wind tunnel’s door. As each man took his first flight, the others watched carefully. Despite the instructor’s help, a beginner can unknowing lift an arm or leg slightly and blow his balancing act, causing him to tilt, spin or flail about like an airborne clown.
Although none of these paratroopers had ever sky-dived, their static line-jumping experience helped, and all five did fine. After they peeled off their helmets, a couple said they appreciated “not being attached to anything.”
The men have just experienced bodyflight in the world’s largest vertical wind tunnel, located in laid-back Raeford in Hoke County. Its siren song has lured novelty-seekers, military personnel and skydiving professionals since it opened in late 2007.
It can be a lot of fun, but flying in a vertical wind tunnel is no breeze. Flyers wear earplugs, elbow and knee pads, goggles, helmets, Velcro windsuits, and sneakers, because slip-on shoes can fly off. To enter, you stand inside the tunnel’s narrow doorway and fall trustingly forward, where you are swooped up by a very strong vertical column of air. One wrong twist, and you can bounce against the mesh-grid floor or against the walls. But once you get the hang of working with the wind, it can be a real blast.
Late morning, a family from Apex arrive. Mom Stephanie Hughes clicked her camera while husband Todd, the children, and grandmother Maureen enthusiastically suited up. There are plenty of grins, and when Maureen finishes her second flight, loud clapping.
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