Glossary - Indoor Skydiving Terminology

Wind Tunnel Related Terms
For commonly asked questions see our Indoor Skydiving FAQ's

Recirculating  - Referring to a wind tunnel where the air is re-used by passing through a closed circular system.

Open Flow - Referring to a wind tunnel where the air passes through an open system, pulling in outside air.

Air Straightener - A constructed 'waffle like' structure that air passes through in order to provide a smoother flying experience.

Flight Chamber - The chamber where the indoor skydiver flies. Depending on the type of tunnel, the flight chamber may be wall-to-wall or wall-less. Wall-to-wall tunnels normally have a flight chamber constructed of glass or Plexi.

Anti-Chamber - The chamber usually featuring a bench where flyers wait to fly. The anti-chamber is usually directly outside the tunnel with easy access to the tunnel door.

Air Lock - Referring to a small chamber that allows flyers to enter the anti-chamber while the tunnel is running.

Turning Vane - A series of curved guides designed to 'turn' the direction of airflow.

Net - Referring to the woven wire mesh along the bottom of the flight chamber. This net allows the air to pass through the flight chamber.

Wall-to-wall - Referring to a vertical wind tunnel which features a wall around the flight chamber. Most commonly referring to wall-to-wall airflow. This means that it is impossible for the flyer to fly out the side of the column of air.

Flight Related Terms

Block Time - Referring to a purchased amount of time in a wind tunnel. IE a 15 minute 'block'.

Rotation - Referring to two people alternating turns in the wind tunnel to give breaks. A common situation would be two flyers with 15 minutes each rotating in a 30-minute block.

Belly Flying - Flying with the belly prominently exposed to the wind.

Back Flying - Flying with the back prominently exposed to the wind.

Sit Flying/Head Up - Flying in a vertical, right side up position.

Head Down - Flying in a vertical, upside-down position.

VFS - Short for Vertical Formation Skydiving. This is a structured competition style of freeflying utilizing vertical points.

FS - Formation Skydiving. This is a structured competition style of flying. Participants fly in a belly to earth position, creating multiple linked formations.

Freeflying - Referring to flying the body in all orientations including sit and head down.

Dynamic - Referring to a style of indoor skydiving. Dynamic flying is normally represented with a style of flying your body with constant motion through all orientations.

Static - Flying in a single orientation or set of orientations with little or no movement.

Burble - The area above a flyer in reference to the wind. This area is essentially a low-pressure area which gives a feeling of low/no-wind when flown through.

Grip - A point of contact between two skydivers or indoor skydivers. IE hand to foot, hand to hand.

Formation - A linked set of skydivers or indoor skydivers.

Dive Pool - A defined list of moves or points used to create a competition.

Point - A set of grips within a pre-defined formation.

Gear Related Terms

Cordura - A common type of material used on indoor skydiving flightsuits.

Jumpsuit/Flightsuit - A one-piece suit crafted for use in a vertical wind tunnel or skydiving environment. Most commonly custom tailored for each person.

Full Face/Open Face - Referring to the type of helmet. Helmets without visors, being an open face. Helmets with visors being full face.

Visor - The clear plastic cover on a full face helmet.

Goggles - Special goggles used to block the wind from the eyes while skydiving or indoor skydiving.