A drone is operated by a sky diver. The drone is interfaced to a parachute pack worn by the sky diver. The sky diver has a device (e.g. smartphone, smartwatch) that communicates with the drone to initiate launch/lift and to release the sky diver. In some embodiments, after the sky diver is released, the drone maneuvers around the sky diver to capture pictures/video of the sky diver. In some embodiments, safety features are included to assure the drone has sufficient battery power to achieve a safe jump altitude above ground level and to assure the release is not made until the drone achieves that safe jump altitude.

Invention relates to vertical wind tunnels, especially to open vertical wind tunnels and its safety features.

A vertical wind tunnel for raising persons by use of air flow, comprising a flight platform (1), an air flow generating device (2) associated with the flight platform (1) and generating a vertical air flow through a channel (3) arranged in a middle of the flight platform (1). The flight platform (1) comprises a safety mattress (4) positioned around the channel (3); a net assembly (5) comprising a flexible net ring (6) and a net (7). The flexible net ring (6) is positioned around the channel (3) and above the safety mattress (4). The vertical wind tunnel further comprises an upholstery ring (8) arranged above the flexible net ring (6) for further absorption of impacts. The present invention increases a safety of its users effectively absorbing impacts of falling flyers.

An interactive modular sensor system for an indoor skydiving wind tunnel. The system comprises a plurality of nodes arranged around the flight chamber of the wind tunnel. The nodes have at least one sensor and at least one light source. The sensors are configured to detect user movement within the flight chamber. The light sources are configured to change appearance between at least two indicator states. A network connects the plurality of nodes. A program coordinates the activity of the nodes, whereby each of the nodes may be individually controlled. The program may include various modes with different user objectives and rules. Users are directed to perform or not perform actions by the light source indicator states of each node, and the sensor monitors for the occurrence of such actions. Information from multiple systems may be compiled in an inter-tunnel system. Other aspects of the system are also described.

This integrated skydiving safety/training system combines sensors, hardware and software technologies to improve skydiving for individuals and teams of 12 or more military or civilian skydivers. It dramatically improves skydivers' training and helps prevent the leading causes of skydiving deaths, including mid-air collisions and dangerous landings. The system offers innovative error-correction on low-cost trackers to collect flight data to improve debriefings after jumps for planeloads of jumpers and create an expert proprietary flight database with hundreds of jumps. This can be used for debriefings/accident investigations which can be done in minutes, where before it took months to analyze accidents. It plots this data into 3D Interactive Maps and the real-time radio version can track teams in the air or on the ground, and museums can use the interactive mapping option to display stunning tours of the earth and moon.

A drive train for a wind tunnel having a nacelle housing with a fan and a fan hub assembly. The drive train comprises: a ratio gear box directly connected to the fan; and a motor disposed remote from the nacelle for powering the fan via a jackshaft and the ratio gearbox. In an embodiment, the wind tunnel has a single fan and single hub assembly. The jackshaft operatively connects the motor and gearbox.

A drone is operated by a sky diver. The drone is interfaced to a parachute pack worn by the sky diver. The sky diver has a device (e.g. smartphone, smartwatch) that communicates with the drone to initiate launch/lift and to release the sky diver. In some embodiments, after the sky diver is released, the drone maneuvers around the sky diver to capture pictures/video of the sky diver. In some embodiments, safety features are included to assure the drone has sufficient battery power to achieve a safe jump altitude above ground level and to assure the release is not made until the drone achieves that safe jump altitude.

A vertical wind tunnel skydiving simulator including a flight chamber entrance that has a curved air deflector that extends into a waiting chamber, in which a convex surface of the curved air deflector faces across or towards the flight chamber entrance or into the flight chamber, and extends into the waiting chamber a sufficient distance to substantially reduce the flow of turbulent air into the waiting chamber. The curved surface is at the top of the entrance and can also be at the sides. The shape the curved surface takes is sufficient to minimize the flow of turbulent air into the waiting chamber; the effect is to make it more comfortable and less noisy for people in the waiting area. This also helps to preserves the laminar, non-turbulent flow of air in the flying chamber, even across the flight chamber entrance. This makes flying more comfortable and predictable.

A coiled coil geometry of modular concave LED/OLED panels or tiles can effectively display a simulated barreling wave. The structure of the coiled coil LED/OLED modules allows one or more users/participants to stand on and/or sit in a motion or non-motion seating platform to observe the simulation.

A wind tunnel for stable sustained human flight for research or recreation, including a tunnel including first and second portions having first and second central axes, respectively, and a fan to create an air flow in the test section. The second portion is a test section. The first and second central axes are arranged at a first angle with respect to each other. The second central axis is at a second angle of 5-85 with respect to a horizontal plane. A safety system for an inclined wind tunnel for stable sustained human flight is provided, including an inclined test section of the wind tunnel that is arranged at an angle of 5-85 with respect to a horizontal plane, a fan to create an air flow in the test section directed from an upstream end towards a downstream end thereof, and a delimiting arrangement arranged at the test section for preventing a person using the test section from leaving it.

A body flight simulator of quick and efficient assembly and operation, includes the ability of having multi-flight areas to facilitate the teaching and skill building of novice users, as well as the ability for performances of experienced users. In addition, it includes easy viewing by observers, noise reduction and minimized environmental impacts. Finally, the modular nature of the components, allow for the assembly of modular arena stages, capable of having elongated/widened body flight areas.