On Saturday, the 22nd of March cadets were deployed at 12:00 hours to the iFly indoor skydiving centre in Milton Keynes, supervised by the SSI and Lt Scott. After carefully watching the safety induction and suiting up into a streamlined suit, and protective gear, they were ready to fly.
Writes Isar S (Divs):
After watching an experienced Lt Scott put on a fantastic show, the rest of us shortly followed. From the safety video, we were educated on certain visual instructions, such as the importance of relaxing and straightening or bending our legs. The instructor established how he could communicate with us non-verbally, to combat the loud environment directed from the sheer speed of the wind at almost 100mph! As I waited anxiously for my turn, it was at this moment the feeling struck me; I was about to defy gravity!
Stepping into the wind tunnel was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. The weightlessness was certainly satisfying, unlike anything I had felt before, and floating on the powerful airflow was surreal. The technique was tough on the first go, however the reassurance from the instructor (communicated via hand signals) helped me stay calm and remain focused. Our ticket allowed us two ‘jumps,’ and each jump was completely different.
The first jump was simply floating and being carried by the wind. However, the second jump was called a ‘High-Fly.’ This meant that the instructor would take a grasp on our limbs, and the wind speed would accelerate, propelling us up through the wind tunnel and then decelerate to bring us back down in a smooth and controlled motion. This process would then be repeated once more. It was an indescribable feeling – almost like flying in a dream. After my two unbelievable flights, I then spectated the rest of the cadets, seeing everyone feel the endorphin rush from the experience.
Overall, it was a trip unlike any other and the return coach journey was full of positive reviews. The trip was about giving us a taste of what it feels like to skydive without jumping from a plane. The indoor skydiving facility at iFly provided the perfect environment to experience free-fall in a controlled and safe setting, and I would highly recommend everyone to have a go. I would also like to give a special thanks to the SSI and Lt Scott for giving up their free time to provide us with an unforgettable activity.
