Flying is not as hard as it looks. In Douglas Adams’ classic

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, he called flying a question

of “throwing yourself at the ground-and missing.” At Flyaway Indoor

Skydiving in Pigeon Forge, it’s even easier than that. The staff at

Flyaway leave the ground with hardly any effort at all.

Flyaway is a vertical wind tunnel. A giant fan in the floor of the

tunnel sends a constant blast of air toward the ceiling. The effect of

floating on this column of air simulates freefall. Beyond the training

aspects of this for practicing skydivers, it makes for a fun Saturday

afternoon, learning how to fly.

“It’s just a matter of balance,” says Flyaway manager Don Strickler.

“It’s just like riding a bicycle. The more you do it, the better you get at

it.”

All of the staff at Flyaway perform amazing feats of indoor skydiving.

Rugh, the coach instructing photographer John Philleo and me, entered the

tunnel in just a t-shirt and jeans. Hooking his t-shirt over his elbow as a

sort of sail, he flew immediately to the ceiling, about 35 feet in the

air. Like all of the Flyaway staff, Rugh seems to truly love his job.

Annette Fields, sophomore in accounting and a co-manager of the

facility, demonstrated mid-air “voguing.” She will give a presentation

Wednesday to several UT fraternity groups. Flyaway is offering special

group rates to fraternities and any other campus group of 11 people or

more. First flights at these rates are $12.25, and repeat flights are

$11.25. These rates are good any day but Saturday, when Flyaway is

busiest.

Regular rates are very reasonable. Adult price is $13.95 for the first

flight, $12.25 for repeat flights the same day. Children under 13 are

charged $12.25 for the first flight, and $11.25 for repeats.

A visit to Flyaway begins with a 25-minute training course. First, a

video illustrates the proper body position and safety procedures. This is

followed by review and further instruction from a trained staff member.

This coach will then take fliers through the suiting-up phase, and on to

the flight chamber. Fliers should expect to spend about an hour and a half

for instruction and flight.

The flight gear includes a one-piece nylon jump suit, worn over elbow

and knee pads, topped off with goggles and a helmet. The suits are

color-coded by weight, so the coach has a rough idea of how heavy the

flyers are. Both children and adults can enjoy Flyaway, though they do

have a minimum weight requirement of 40 pounds. Maximum weight restrictions

depend on height and gender of the prospective flyer.

One constant reminder at Flyaway is “Flying can be dangerous.” Elbow

and knee pads are worn under the jump suit. The wire mesh floor of the wind

tunnel is surrounded by a large, deep cushion. Fields assured us that

injuries are rare. “Someone might get their breath knocked out of them,”

she said. “Some people who are too out of shape might pull a muscle.”

Professional skydivers also frequent Flyaway to practice their skills

without having to actually jump out of an airplane. The company offers

special coaching packages for student and experienced skydivers.

Fields says the experience of flight is as rewarding as it is fun. “It’s

a personal challenge,” says Fields. “It offers self-fulfillment. You’re not

competing against anyone else.”

For reservations and more information on Flyaway, call (615)

453-7777.