Showing posts with label indoor skydiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label indoor skydiving. Show all posts

Monday, April 11, 2016

ChiIL Mama's Adventures at iFLY Lincoln Park

Check out our photo feature 
on the press opening of the latest 
Chicagoland iFLY, 
indoor skydiving location



ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List 
My daughter, Sage, and her Pom Squad team mate and friend, Gaby (both 12), came with me to give indoor skydiving a try. My son and I tried it when iFLY first opened in Naperville and Rosemont a couple years back. Now we're elated to announce that they've opened a NEW location even closer to home, in Chicago's own Lincoln Park area, close to New City! 

We were some of the first to fly and the girls both loved it so much they waited around till everyone had a turn so they could go again... 3 times! By the evening's end they were hooked. They even asked how old you have to be to work there (and get free class credits) and were dismayed to hear they have to wait 6 years, till they turn 18! 

Disclosure: Thanks to iFLY for providing us with comped flight times for review purposes. We were not compensated in any other way or paid for this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

Check out our full slideshow right here:
More favorite photos are featured at the bottom of this post.



What we loved: 
This is a great activity for all ages and abilities. You don't need to be uber athletic to fly, though my pom kids/gymnasts had an edge with their core strength and flexibility. I can attest, it works for middle age moms too! 

Local press got a sweet demo on wind tunnel tech via teddy bear and bottled water.



ChiIL Mama's daughter, Sage, and her friend, Gaby (both 12) LOVED iFLY!


The instructor demos between groups of newbies were mind blowing, full of epic, super hero worthy moves!





Staff was friendly, helpful and enthusiastic! They took time to tell us their own stories and were all passionate about indoor skydiving, whether they were fairly new at it or seasoned pros who've been skydiving indoors and out for years. 



Looking for a group get together idea or a unique party plan? iFLY also books private groups and birthday parties. This is a stellar idea for the tween and teen market. Highly recommended.





Press Night:
The place was hoppin' with a live DJ and excellent food from The Warehouse Bar and Pizzeria. 






Worlds Collide Alert:
We do love it when our friends play well together. It was truly a treat to see the world’s foremost mentalist and purveyor of mind games, Marc Salem, flying and reading minds at the press opening of IFLY Chicago - Lincoln Park. His highly acclaimed and extended run of Marc Salem's Mind Over Chicago played at The Apollo from February through April 2016. 


This guy's obviously at home on stage, in his familiar set. Yet he was open to pushing the boundaries, not only mentally, but physically. He actually tried a wind tunnel at the press opening of the newest iFLY, the indoor sky diving phenomenon. We were impressed that Marc was willing to leave his comfort zone and take flight, then read minds! 








About iFLY Lincoln Park
:  iFLY Lincoln Park is the 19th and newest of the iFLY operations in the USA. Featuring a 12-foot diameter wind tunnel powered by four quiet and clean running electric motors. People of all ages can fly with us with few limitations. Those folks with shoulder, back or neck injuries should consult their doctor before attempting to fly with us. There is a standard weight limit of 250 pounds for most flyers, but depending on height and body type that number may be exceeded. All instructors at iFLY Lincoln Park are I.B.A. certified as the best-trained and safest instructors in the sport of indoor skydiving. iFLY Lincoln Park is located at 
800 West Scott Street off North Halstead Street.

About iFLY Indoor Skydiving: Austin-based iFLY Holdings, LLC is the world leader in design, manufacturing, sales and operations of wind tunnel systems for indoor skydiving. Under the brand names iFLY, SkyVenture, and Airkix, the Company has flown more than 7,000,000 people in a dozen countries since launching the modern vertical wind tunnel industry in 1998. iFLY has 37 facilities operating, 15 currently in construction and another 8 planned to start construction before the end of 2015. iFLY supports and utilizes the safety and training rules set out by the International Body Fight Association (IBA) to ensure safety and progression of the sport of indoor skydiving.

What is iFLY?

S.T.E.M. Education Program:

ChiIL Mama's iFLY Photo Favs:


Grrrl power!


ChiIL Mama ChiILin' at iFLY-Lincoln Park



So many ways to level up. The girls are counting the years till they can come work for iFLY and take classes for free!





Even the restrooms are flight themed!




Come check it out. iFLY is highly recommended for family friendly fun! 

Disclosure: Thanks to iFLY for providing us with comped flight times for review purposes. We were not compensated in any other way or paid for this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

Monday, July 28, 2014

iFLY INDOOR SKYDIVING NOW OPEN IN NAPERVILLE

ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama and Fly With iFLY
  
                                  
My 13 year old son, Dugan, are I are going flying today!  Check back like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often, for our photo filled recaps and reviews of our adventures! 


All ages can now enjoy the excitement of an aerial free-fall at iFLY, Chicago’s indoor skydiving experience. iFLY’s second Chicago area location at 1752 Freedom Drive in Naperville is now open for walk-in flights from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Beginning Friday, July 4, visitors can experience iFLY during its regular business hours, Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. 


Anyone who has ever wanted to feel the singular rush of skydiving, from age three to 103, can make their dream a reality at iFLY.  The experience perfectly replicates the adrenaline-charged sensation of a skydiving free-fall while eliminating the daunting leap out of an airplane. Following a brief training session, all fliers are outfitted in a flight suit, helmet and goggles before entering the wind tunnel. To begin their flight, patrons simply lean forward onto a cushion of air (toward their friendly, certified iFLY instructor) and the rushing air allows them to float. First-time flyers are given the opportunity to learn basic belly flying. Like any skilled sport, with additional training, flyers can progress to advanced aerial gymnastic maneuvers.  


  
“We wish iFLY a lot of success,” says Naperville Mayor George Pradel. “I am excited for people to fly and experience the thrills of iFLY and all of the other attractions that Naperville has to offer.”

The iFLY experience is made possible utilizing a technology called the “vertical wind tunnel,” which was historically used by the military and professional skydivers for training. Four powerful, high-efficiency axial fans are mounted at the top of the building, channeling air down the side tunnels into the basement, and then up through the floor of the 14-foot-wide circular flight chamber, creating a strong upward draft.  This upward draft, which ranges in speed from approximately 80 to 175 miles per hour (depending on the weight and expertise level of the flyer), creates a stable, safe, wall-to-wall airflow that gently pushes guests aloft and makes it possible for them to fly.
From first-time flyers to professional skydivers, different flight packages are available based on level of experience, number of people and preferred flight time. The basic, beginners-level package for an individual includes two flights, complete with a personalized flight certificate for $69.95. Each flight is 60 seconds in length—actually longer than the approximate 45-second free-fall descent experienced when jumping out of an airplane. Double-length flights are also available at a reduced rate. Flyers who return to iFLY within three months of their last session are classified as “Return Flyers” and offered discounted packages. Experienced flyers also have the opportunity to fly in groups with others of the same skill level in the tunnel. 

The new iFLY Indoor Skydiving facilities are located in Rosemont at MB Financial Park at 5520 Park Place Rosemont and in the Freedom Commons at 1752 Freedom Drive in Naperville More information can be found at iFLYworld.com. Guests can book flight reservations online at chicago.iFLYworld.com. Walk-in flights are also accepted.



About iFLY
Austin-based iFLY Holdings is the world leader in the manufacturing, sales and operations of wind tunnel systems for recreational indoor skydiving, competitive skydiver training and military training. Under the brand names iFLY, SkyVenture, Airkix, Paraclete and Freezone, the company has 30 facilities operating around the globe, with expansion plans rolling out over the next few years. www.iFLYworld.com.

Pinterest