iFLY Downunder fully operational in Penrith
Australia’s first indoor skydiving facility, iFLY Downunder, is already proving to be a huge success with over 500 hours of 'tunnel time' sold since opening at the end of April.
The Penrith-based attaction is now offering a school holiday program, the Junior iFLYER Taster Sessions, for youngsters aged six to 16.
Introducing the program, iFLY Downunder Chief Marketing Officer Brett Sheridan explains “these sessions are tailored to give kids an introduction into what our Junior iFLYER course -that run for 10 weeks throughout the school terms - would be like.
“It gives them a chance to jump in the tunnel; and try out flying!”
Acknowledging a high level of inquiries, Sheridan adds “we are getting more and more inquiries from parents asking about training and courses for their children who have seen it on TV and want to learn to fly.”
Since opening, iFLY Downunder has been a hit with children, adults and even celebrities with visits from Nitro Circus, the Penrith Panthers and even Beauty and the Geek.
iFLY Downunder Marketing and Sales Manager Becca O’Prey explains “we regularly get requests from media personalities and celebrities to come out and have a flight as well as TV shows wanting to film in the tunnel.
“We are thrilled with the reaction that it is getting; it really is a fantastic day out for anyone looking for something a little different!”
The iFLY Downunder indoor skydiving facility is a state of the art centre that delivers an exhilarating, thrilling and high energy experience that the whole family will want to share.
Sheridan adds “our facility will allow people to get a real experience of skydiving in a fully-controlled and safe environment.
“(It) is the biggest and most powerful vertical wind tunnel in the southern hemisphere.”
IFLY Downunders’ parent company, Indoor Skydive Australia Group Limited is headed up by ex SAS Soldiers Wayne Jones and Danny Hogan who hatched the idea to build the facility after experiencing similar facilities around the world.
Jones explains “while we were serving and training overseas we were exposed to these indoor skydiving facilities as part of our training.
“The simulation is so close to the real thing that military and skydivers have been training in these facilities around the world for a number of years - and now Australia can experience flight.
“It has been a huge journey from initial discussions to our doors opening but the reward (can be seen) on the faces of people flying for their first time”.
The facility can comfortably hold up to eight experienced flyers and is powered by 4 x 450 horse power fans that can achieve speeds of up to 250 kilometres per hour which is powerful enough to lift anyone into flight on a cushion of air.
The facility, located at 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith, has a 5 metre wide glass flight chamber which is one of the largest and most technically advanced in the world.
iFLY Downunder plan to open a second location in Queensland in 2015.
For more information www.iflydownunder.com.au or www.downunder.iflyworld.com
12th February 2014 - AUSTRALIA’S FIRST IFLY INDOOR SKYDIVING ATTRACTION SET TO OPEN IN PENRITH
19th November 2010 - FORGET LEISURE: FOCUS ON THE EXPERIENCE INDUSTRY
27th May 2009 - HIGH FLYING ATTRACTION FOR THE GOLD COAST
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