LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The new iFly store in Liberty Township promises all of the thrills of skydiving with no airplane required.
The international indoor skydiving franchise opened its first Greater Cincinnati location at 7100 Foundry Row in Liberty Center on Friday and plans to hold a grand opening celebration on May 30.
"It's convenient. It's safe. And it's super fun," said Johnny Cockrell, lead instructor for iFly Cincinnati.
As Cockrell explained, iFly offers more than just group and individual indoor skydiving lessons through the use of a recirculating body-lifting wind tunnel.
The facility teaches people how to fly, he said.
"Some people only like to fly on their belly and do some turns and fly with teams," Cockrell said. "Some people like to fly freestyle, learn how to fly on their feet, on their heads."
Wind speeds in iFly's tunnel range between 60 to 265 miles per hour. An operator sitting outside of the tunnel during flights adjusts winds speeds depending on the weight and experience of flyers, Cockrell said.
A single iFly session lasts between one to two hours and costs $69.95. The price includes a flight jumpsuit, helmet, shoes (if needed) and one-on-one training with a certified instructor like Cockrell. Basic training includes two flights inside iFly's wind tunnel.
Such grace. Such form. Really. This is not me. I don’t think the instructor ever felt comfortable enough with my flailing to let me go while I was in the iFly wind tunnel. pic.twitter.com/D53sS8xyuM
— Brian Mains (@BrianDMains) May 10, 2019
People can purchase discounted ticket package bundles for repeat visits, Cockrell said. iFly is also open to children as young as three years old with parent or guardian consent.
"We do offer flights for kids from three to 103 for us grown kids," he added.
Beyond basic flying lessons, iFly offers virtual reality flights. Participants can wear VR goggles to experience the sensations of an Alpine base jump or training a dragon.
There is also a Flight School program for children 4-16 years old; All Abilities events for those with unique physical needs; and instructor-led STEM demonstrations that align with Common Core K-12 and Next Generation Science Standards.
"They can expect to have one of the best times of their lives," Cockrell said of anyone who participates in an iFly session.
For more information about iFly, or to book a flight visit iflyworld.com.
