Skydiving is every daredevil traveler’s must-do. While I can confidently say I’m adventurous, I’m not quite sure yet if I have the guts to jump off thousands of feet from the ground. But my recent discovery, iFly Singapore, offers a less daring but equally thrilling experience—indoor skydiving. On a trip to the Lion City, I was able to try it myself. Read more…
Indoor skydiving, otherwise known as bodyflight, is a simulated version of maneuvering across the skies. Whereas jumping off a plane involves several external factors as wind velocity, a vertical wind tunnel, the main contraption involved, provides a calculated environment, making it easier for enthusiasts and professionals to perform dives and tricks.
iFly Singapore built the world’s largest indoor skydiving wind tunnel, measuring 56.5ft by 16.5ft. It’s located in Sentosa Island; hence, it offers an unparalleled view of the South China Sea.
Each indoor skydive begins at iFly Singapore’s facility reminiscent of an airport terminal. Among the instructions listed in my confirmation is that I should arrive an hour before my ‘flight,’ but I regrettably arrived 20 minutes late thinking it was acceptable. I was wrong. They didn’t let me join the group because for my safety, I cannot skip any of the briefings.
Speaking of safety, iFly Singapore’s vertical wind tunnel was designed by SkyVenture, which has also done so for more than 20 others worldwide, and it has been certified by the International Bodyflight Association (IBA) since 2010. Their instructors, meanwhile, have been trained rigorously under IBA regulations and have clocked more than 50 hours in the tunnel.
After being rebooked to the next batch, I went into a briefing room, the Hangar, where a short orientation video was shown. And proving that flyers’ welfare is of utmost importance, we had to undergo a practical safety orientation in the Demo Room after. There, we were also taught the proper way of flying and the hand gestures our instructor may flash during bodyflight.
Adrenaline gradually building up, we were escorted to the main Skybase where we changed into special jumpsuits, and donned helmets and goggles from the Gear-Up Counter. We were likewise provided with earplugs as a precaution against the wind’s speed and sound.
As our batch was waiting for the previous one to finish, we finally saw how the entire process goes. While everything was as described during the briefing, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. Good thing, those who just got out of the chamber were all smiles, so my fears were allayed.
One-by-one, we later launched ourselves right into the flight chamber and flew following a belly-flying posture. Honestly, it wasn’t scary at all when inside, knowing that I was in a controlled environment, but the rapid sensation of flying and free fall was exhilarating, nonetheless.
I was uncontrollably smiling after my two skydives. All the action was truly unforgettable, and thankfully, at iFly Singapore, such an experience doesn’t break the bank.
IFLY SINGAPORE
Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Contact: +65 6571 0000
Website: www.iflysingapore.com
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, and #iflysingapore on Instagram
Notes: Advanced booking is recommended. Be sure to check preflight reminders on the website.
