Vegas Indoor Skydiving

Located just east of the Las Vegas Strip, Vegas Indoor Skydiving gives patrons the thrill of skydiving without having to jump out of an airplane. There are other benefits too. Jumping out of an airplane results in about a 30 to 45 second free fall. The indoor method gives patrons more time in the air, and you'll never have to worry about weather conditions or having to face any fear of extreme heights.

Training for the indoor method is also much less involved than what skydiving entails. After signing up, everyone is divided into a group. From there an instructor escorts you to the training room. Training consists of a five-minute video that explains the proper landing technique, how to position your body during flight and simple hand gestures that you instructor will use to help improve your balance once you have your feet off the ground. The landing technique is an easy tuck and roll that consists of crossing your hands and arms over your chest and pulling your knees to your chest. You'll get a chance to practice this technique before you fly. All the rules and hand gestures may sound like a lot to absorb, but the most important thing to remember is to relax and have fun.

The video also explains the flying facility. Instead of having to land on the ground, here you have a padded room. The floor is made of wire netting that acts as a barrier between you and a DC-3 propeller that can generate winds up to 120 miles per hour. The thought of being lifted off the ground by a giant fan can be a little intimidating at first, but first-time flyers are always within reach of their instructor. For thrill seekers, this is the perfect recipe for a good time. Move over Scarlett, you're about to be gone with the wind.

After the video everyone flying is required to sign a waiver. Then it's time to suit up. Your flying gear consists of the aforementioned suit, ear plugs, safety goggles, a helmet and gloves. The suits are made of a thin light-weight material. They come in varying sizes and are meant to be baggy so that they catch the air and help you fly. Everyone is required to wear shoes with a back, which means no slip-ons like flip flops. If you don't have the proper footwear, the facility can provide some.

Once everyone is suited up, it's time for the group to enter the flying chamber. Groups that enter the chamber consist of five people plus the instructor. If you have family and/or friends waiting for you who aren't flying, they can see all the action from a viewing area located a level up from where you'll be flying.

Inside the flying room everyone has a chance to practice their tuck and roll before flying. The wire netting on the floor of the room is much like a trampoline. It's fun to jump up and down and then bounce to a tuck and roll on one of the cushions lining the wire net. The cushions are soft and springy. There's no pain associated with landing as long as you remember to stay loose while also curling yourself into a ball as you land. The instructor explains that trying to put out your arm or leg to brace your fall isn't necessary and can result in injury. With tuck and rolls ready to go, the instructor puts everyone in their flying order and calls the first person to the center of the room. Your guide is there to instruct your every move. The most important thing to remember is to relax.

Each person in your group gets three turns to fly. When you're not in the air, it's fun to watch other people in your group take flight. This is also a good time for you to see what not to do on your next turn. Your first turn flying is all about getting used to being propelled into the air by warm gusts of wind. The instructor is right next to you to guide you along the way. Once you're in the air, the feeling is sensational. If you happen to lose balance, the instructor will guide you to one of the cushions surrounding the wire netting. This is where your tuck and roll position comes into play.

With only five people in the group, the wait between each of your turns to fly is short. During the next two turns the instructor may let you fly higher in the air or even grab on and fly with you, depending upon how well you're doing. The total flight time is about three minutes per person.

After your experience you'll probably be a little hot and wind-blown, but getting a chance to experience weightlessness is totally worth it. Once out of the flying chamber you can remove your flight gear and head back to the lobby area. Photos, DVDS and flash drives of your flight are available for purchase.

Get ready to get your feet off the ground and say goodbye to gravity. Vegas Indoor Skydiving is about to take your vacation to new heights.

-- Review by Caroline Fontein

Note: First six photos are courtesy of Vegas Indoor Skydiving.