Air flow (wind) - directional movement of air masses with a certain speed.
1) Fans rotate and create wind.
2) Wind goes to the flight chamber via bottom circuit path and come back to the fans via upper circuit path.
We can adjust any fan power from 0% till 100% which is create a wind speed from 0 km/hour till 300 km/hour (0 mph till 186 mph).
For example:
- The fan power at 30% in wind tunnel №1 generates a wind speed of 90 km/h (55 mph).
- The fan power at 50% in wind tunnel №1 generates a wind speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).
- The fan power at 70% in wind tunnel №1 generates a wind speed of 210 km/h (130 mph).
- The fan power at 100% in wind tunnel №1 generates a wind speed of 300 km/h (186 mph).
In different windtunnels the fan power percentage are equal to different wind speeds.
For example:
- The fan power at 70% in wind tunnel №1 generates a wind speed of 210 km/h (130 mph).
- The fan power at 70% in wind tunnel №2 generates a wind speed of 225 km/h (140 mph).
There is such a concept as air density, which directly affects wind characteristics. Air density is determined by temperature and humidity.
In the context of windtunnels, air density influences lift upward and overall body control in the airflow.
For example:
- Cold air is denser, meaning it provides more resistance and stronger support during flight.
- Warm air is less dense, which can feel like a “thinner” airflow, making it harder to maintain balance.
- Humidity decreases air density since water vapor is lighter than dry air.
At the same wind speed, different humidity and temperature can change how the same element feels. Sometimes, the wind pressure may be too weak to complete the element, or too strong, making it impossible to perform!
Example 1:
From my personal experience while working and training in windtunnel FlyStation (Saint-Petersburg)!
I remember flying in both winter and summer, performing the same elements, but the sensations were completely different. Moreover, for some elements, I had to increase the wind speed by as much as 8%. For example, in winter, it was 60%, while in summer, I had to set it to 68%.
This was all because, in summer, the humidity in my city was very high, and the tunnel’s design allow external air to enter the airflow circuit.
Example 2:
While preparing my student Mate Feith for the Freestyle World Championship, we trained the free routine in Slovakia at the Hurricane Factory Tatralandia windtunnel at 66% power and a wind speed of 243 km/h (151 mph), but when we traveled to Belgium to train at the Airspace windtunnel, we needed 85% power and a wind speed of 280 km/h (174 mph).
Although we flew all the elements and the entire program exactly the same in both windtunnels.
Wind speed can be conditionally divided into main 3 categories:
1. Low wind speed - it’s comfortable* to fly in the
Flying Squirrel or Hammock positions.
1. Low wind speed - it’s comfortable* to fly in the
Flying Squirrel or Hammock positions.
*Comfortable to fly - is a state in which maintaining a static flying position or flying in a static mode requires the least amount of energy. In other words, at this wind speed, you can remain in a static position for the longest possible time. At the same time, you won’t feel pain or excessive strain - in general, you will feel the most comfortable.
*Comfortable to fly - is a state in which maintaining a static flying position or flying in a static mode requires the least amount of energy. In other words, at this wind speed, you can remain in a static position for the longest possible time. At the same time, you won’t feel pain or excessive strain - in general, you will feel the most comfortable.
2. Middle wind speed - it’s comfortable to fly in the
Wire (right side) or Wire (left side) positions.
2. Middle wind speed - it’s comfortable to fly in the
Wire (right side) or Wire (left side) positions.
3. High wind speed - it’s comfortable to fly in the
Soldier or Slingshot positions.
3. High wind speed - it’s comfortable to fly in the
Soldier or Slingshot positions.
Following these rules, one can also define additional wind speeds:
- Extra-low (very low) – before low
- Low-middle – between low and middle
- Middle-high – between middle and high
- Extra-high (very high) – after high
Following these rules, one can also define additional wind speeds:
- Extra-low (very low) – before low
- Low-middle – between low and middle
- Middle-high – between middle and high
- Extra-high (very high) – after high
For different people the same wind speed can feels different - depending body parameters!
For example:
The fan power at 70% in wind tunnel №1 generates a wind speed of 210 km/h (130 mph).
Two bodyflyers are flying simultaneously in the flight chamber:
- Green bodyflyer keeps Soldier position in a static mode and for him it is feels like a high wind speed!
- Peach bodyflyer keeps Flying Squirrel position in a static mode and for him it is feels like a low wind speed!
This is because the green bodyflyer is much lighter than the peach bodyflyer. Therefore, for the peach bodyflyer to fly in the Soldier position, he needs significantly more wind. Most likely, the green bodyflyer won’t even be able to be inside the chamber, as it would be dangerous for him.
for the average persons in concretely windtunnel
"Hurricane Factory Tatralandia".
- Belly neutral position
Low wind speed
190 km/h (118 mph) - Sit position
Middle wind speed
215 km/h (134 mph) - Bear position
High wind speed
245 km/h (152 mph)
It is fair to say that as your bodyflying skills improve, your perception of wind speed will change compared to the initial levels - the wind will feel softer and more pleasant!
You will find even more interesting information about the theory of bodyflying in this book:
