Brian Lee led thirteen courageous NSC fliers to an indoor skydiving in a vertical wind tunnel at Ifly.   Most of us arrived early before our lesson and took the opportunity to observe the people trying the indoor skydiving.  It looked fun but a little voice said it could be scary.  When I saw the kids having fun, now I am thinking why I should be afraid.  Now some of us wonder, maybe I should go to the restroom.  It would be very embarrassing to have an accident.

Before we flew, our instructor Randy showed us a short video of what to expect.  We were taught hand signals so Randy could communicate with us while flying.   Now does two fingers bent mean bend my legs or straighten my legs?  Oh well, here goes anything.  Randy took us to the next station to gear up with knee pads, helmet, goggles, jumpsuit, and even ear plugs.  We got busy dressing for the flight.  Thanks to Dick for taking our pictures with all of our cameras!

The big moment we all had been waiting for finally arrived.  David Tom was the first flier.  He got into position to enter the vertical wind tunnel where Randy was waiting to guide him. He did a great job.  Jason Ng was next.  Wow, did he have a lot of fun.  His response was "what a blast".  Now it was my turn.  I entered the wind tunnel and my reaction was wow!  It is amazing, look I'm flying like a bird.  Randy spun me around a few times which was a blast.  When my turn was over, all my fears went away.  Now I just can't wait for my next turn.  Randy was a great instructor who guided each one of us in the wind tunnel and gave each of us an awesome first flight.  The second round Randy took us higher in the tunnel.  What a sensation.  I got a chance to go spinning at the top about three times. 

Thanks to Brian for giving of all us a great time.  All our nerves went away and we had a big smile as we left Ifly.  Maybe Brian will repeat this event next year.  If he does, I would recommend signing up early, because you don't want to miss this great experience.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fly around Metropolis without a plane or a pair of wings? And only the thing that is holding you afloat is the wind? Then a visit to iFly is for you. Thirteen NSC members got that chance on a Saturday afternoon to experience this, thanks to NSC Board member, Brian Lee.

At iFly, located in Union City, they have a vertical wind tunnel which simulates sky diving. Its in an safe indoor environment and no parachute is needed. After arriving and checking in, we watched the group from a kid’s birthday party freefalling with the instructor. In a glass chamber, the size of a small room, you can see people in their jump suits floating in the air. It’s scary to watch the kids jump in. Due to their light weight, they take off toward the ceiling like a rocket! Inside the chamber, there is a monitor to show you how much flying time you have left and the wind speed. For most beginners, the wind speed is about 100 MPH (about hurricane strength). The most impressive part is at the end. They turn up the wind speed to about 160 MPH and the instructor gets his turn. Experienced flyers were able to do tricks and flips just like the movies.

When our scheduled time arrived, it was our turn. We went to a 15 minute instructional class to learn the basics. Among the things you learn are the hand signals to communicate with your instructor: “chin up”, “bend your legs”, and the most important signal of all, “stay relaxed”. We all got suited up for the ride: oversize jumpsuit, goggles and a set of ear plugs. The goggles fogged up even before you get into the chamber. So after I put on my equipment, I couldn’t hear or see. We gathered in a line around the chamber where there is only one entrance and one exit. Getting into the chamber was a leap of faith. You crossed your arms across your chest, and then fall face first into the 100 MPH wind and hope. Hope that you don’t end up hitting the floor face first. Right before you hit the floor; you spread your “wings” (arms) and catch the wind. I stopped just a few feet before hitting the floor. With the help of the instructor, you learn how to positions of arms and legs to keep you afloat. Eventually you get into a good position and then you are floating in the chamber. After your time is up, the instructor helps you towards the exit door. You just grab on to the side of the door and pull yourself out. We each got two — one minute jumps. On the second jump they turned up the wind and all our NSC members shot up to the top of the chamber. Up, up and away like Dorothy and Toto or Charlie and Grandpa Joe floating in the fizzy lifting room, all never to be seen again! Well for most of us, gravity eventually won out, and we returned back to earth.

Our in-door sky diving experience was pretty fun. Next adventure — a machine to show us what it’s like to be faster than a speeding locomotive.

May 31st marks the end of our 2008-09 membership year, another good year for our club. As a sampling: ski trips, picnics, hikes, and a bunco night all gave us a chance to have fun and socialize. I’m looking forward to many more events in the coming year such as our weeklong ski-trip planned for next January. If you would like to be among the first to know the details of this adventure, please come to the May 16th post-season party. President Joel Hayashida will be announcing the destination then and while I can’t say much right now, I’ll tell you that the location is exciting; it’s bound to be another sold-out trip. At our post-season party, AKA “Hawaiian Luau Potluck & Gaming Night”, there will also be food, games, music and a chance to sport your best Hawaiian attire. More details and signup forms are in the newsletter. I hope to see you there.

As the membership year ends soon, I’d like to extend an invitation to our present members to renew soon. Doing so has two benefits: keeping your current membership seamless and saving some money. Renewal applications postmarked by May 31 are entitled to a $5 discount off the already low $30, just $25 for the 2009-10 year.

Being a member also connects you in other ways. As a NSC member, you are automatically a member in the Bay Area Snow Sports Council (BAC) and the Far West Ski Association (FWSA). Both offer trips and discounts available to our members. We have web links to these organizations and others on the “ski trips” page of the NSC website. Membership forms are available on the “about us” page of our website. I’m looking forward to another year of fun and friends, and hope that you are too!!