Flight in a Wind Tunnel

Mirosławiec near Wrocław (Poland)

I heard about the new extreme sport of flights in a wind tunnel by chance on television. I immediately liked the idea of floating in the air and decided to learn more about it. I watched several videos on youtube.pl and concluded that there should be no contraindications for disabled people to enjoy this attraction. I also checked online to see where the nearest tunnel is to my city, and it turned out to be at the airport in Mirosławiec, in the Sobótka municipality, about 60 km away from me.

During conversations with friends, I mentioned that I dreamed of a flight in a wind tunnel, and one of my friends informed me that her husband had flown there and would find out if there would be any issues for me to take part in such an attraction. Despite initial skepticism, the SpeedFly instructor agreed to such a flight and scheduled it for May 1st.

How to prepare for a flight in a wind tunnel

According to the recommendations, you need to arrive at the center at least 45 minutes before the scheduled flight. The building is modern, equipped with an elevator, and free of architectural barriers. I don't know how the restrooms are adapted, as I did not use that part of the facility.

First, I registered at the reception, and then I met with the instructor for a brief training session, where I was explained the ins and outs of flying in the tunnel and the basic safety rules. I was also asked if I had any breathing problems in strong winds. I answered affirmatively, and the instructor advised me to try to breathe through my nose and not to open my mouth. With the help of friends and the instructor, I changed into a jumpsuit, and I received a helmet, goggles, and earplugs.

Problems during the flight in the wind tunnel

The first entry into the wind tunnel turned out to be a failure. After a few seconds, I made the agreed sign that I couldn't continue, and they took me out of the tunnel. I was devastated, thinking that it was all over and that floating in the wind tunnel was not for me. I informed the instructors that I couldn't breathe. Fortunately, the instructor gave me a different helmet that covered my entire face, protecting my nose and mouth from direct airflow. The next two entries were complete successes, although during the first few seconds, I felt discomfort due to concerns about breathing and getting used to the airflow blowing at over 180 km/h. However, this discomfort quickly passed, and the following seconds more than compensated for the initial unpleasantness.

Impressions from the flight in the wind tunnel

Floating in the wind tunnel is an incredible feeling, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to experience something extraordinary. It was beautiful to fly at a height of several meters and to experience something that, in natural conditions, is reserved only for birds. In total, I was in the air for about 4 minutes, and although it's not a very long time, it's a moment I will certainly remember for the rest of my life. It was great to experience something that provided so many positive emotions. I am also satisfied with the fact that I was the first disabled person with quadriplegia to experience floating in the air at this location. So, I can confidently say that I broke certain barriers in the minds of at least a dozen people present there.