This Picture shows Appalachian Amusement Center at noon on 2-9-2006. This was the most snow we have seen since becomming operational on 12-11-03. There was six inches where the snow was in the shade. 

http://www.verticalwind.com/aac.html
Appalachian Amusement Center is home to the world's finest Vertical Wind Tunnel. Built by Vertical Wind Tunnel Corporation, this VWT is very wide, smooth, fast and quiet. Located in Western North Carolina just a few miles from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Appalachian Amusement Center features the finest Flight Instruction and environment.

 	

Physical Address:
	
	

Appalachian Amusement Center
49 Adventure Park
Waynesville, N.C. 28785
(828)926-WIND
               9463
	
			
	

Mailing Address:
	
	

Appalachian Amusement Center
P.O. Box 669
Lake Junaluska, N.C. 28745

 	

Q. What is a Vertical Wind Tunnel ?
Q. Why do people fly in VWT's ?
Q. How long does it take to learn to fly ?
Q. What is Body Flying ?
Q. What does Body Flying feel like ?
Q. What can a body flyer do ?
Q. Is Body Flight good for you ?
Q. Is it hard to breathe while body flying ?
Q. Can our group fly at the same time ?
Q. Why do skydivers use  VWT's ?
Q. What is Terminal Velocity ?
Q. What is Aerodynamic Drag ?
Q. How long does it take to learn advanced maneuvers ?
Q. What is RPDPVWTV1 ?
Q. How HIGH will I fly ?
Q. How should I dress for flight ?
Q. Where can I stay when visiting AAC ?

Q. What is a Vertical Wind Tunnel ?
A. A VWT is a machine that produces a vertical jet, or column of wind. If this jet is fast and large enough, a person can float. Experienced fliers can perform an unlimited sequence of motions which can be acrobatic, or dance like. Skydivers practice in Vertical Wind Tunnels, which are also known as Skydiving or Free Fall Simulators.

Q. Why do people fly in VWT's ?
A. Flying is incredibly fun. It is an action sport comparable to, in fact more fun than snow skiing or skating,

Q. How long does it take to learn to fly ?
A. Most people can master the basics of stable hovering in 5 to 10 minutes of actual flight time.

Q. What is Body Flying ?
A. Body Flying is the art and sport of controlled human flight in vertical wind.

Q. What does Body Flying feel like ?
A. Flying feels a little like swimming. Your arms can get tired after a while. The slightest change in your body position makes you move about. It feels like you're flying a helicopter, except you are the helicopter. It also feels like you're in a jacuzzi.

Q. What can a body flyer do ?
A. An experienced flyer can, at will, hover motionlessly , or zoom around rapidly, in an infinite range of body positions and orientations. Rapid rotations on various axis can be added. Multiple fliers can fly in formations. Flying can look like skating, dance, gymnastics and acrobatics.

Q. Is Body Flight good for you ?
A. Flying is an excellent form of exercise. It's non-impact, incredibly fun, doesn't feel like you're working, and hurts later if you fly enough. It works most of the body at the same time including muscles that are usually ignored. Depending on a persons physical condition, 6 minutes of actual flight time in a day might be a good beginners limit. Experienced fliers can fly hours per day.

Q. Is it hard to breathe while body flying ?
A. Breathing is completely normal.

Photos by Chris Landon taken 7-04  and Roxana Cox