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Wind tunnel training is an essential part for developing body-flight skills. Though tunnel-flying is a sport in its own right, tunnel training complements and accelerates the learning curve for skydivers as well.
AXIS Flight School has extensive experience training, competing, and coaching various disciplines in the tunnel environment. Having flown in tunnels all over the world, AXIS Coaches™ offer a unique training experience and learning opportunities for flyers of all skill levels.
Photo by Keith Fournier.
AXIS Coaches™ are eager to travel to tunnel installations world wide, sharing their expertise and show flyers a good time. They can be hired by teams, individuals, and tunnels to host camps and other events.
Collaborating with the IBA (International Bodyflight Association), AXIS helps train instructors and trainers to become more effective coaches. In addition, AXIS can also be seen making tutorial videos for the general public.
AXIS Coaches have stood on the podium of several indoor competitions in various disciplines (including 4-way FS and VFS), which sets them apart as coaches from less experienced instructors. To understand the difference, please read this article.
Please arrive 30 minutes to an hour prior to your scheduled flight time.
IBA Sign-offs and Ratings
Niklas Daniel is an IBA Trainer Level 4, who can officially sign off flyers on the IBA website.
- Flyer sign-offs Level 1 to PRO (Progressions: Formation Skydiving, Static, and Dynamic).
- IBA Coach Ratings (Coach Skills: Formation Skydiving, Static, and Dynamic).
- Flight Instructor Training Program (FITP).
- Instructor ratings up to and including Level I4.
- Trainer ratings up to and including Level T3.
Payment, Re-scheduling and Cancellation Policy
Payment is required no later than 72 hours prior to your scheduled flight time or AXIS Flight School will have to release your time-slot, as AXIS itself is bound by a tunnel's cancellation policy.
Prior to the 72-hour deadline you may
- re-schedule, or
- cancel your time with a full refund.
Once the 72-hour deadline has passed, your flight time is fixed and payment is non-refundable, whether you are present or not. You can, however, send a replacement in your stead (but you will need to make financial arrangements with that person yourself).
Available Merits
Tunnel Belly Flyer
Recipient has demonstrated the knowledge and skills of a proficient belly flyer in the wind tunnel.
How this Merit is Earned
Recipient has demonstrated the following to the satisfaction of an AXIS Coach™: a) Belly-fly Enter / Exit, b) Neutral/Stable Belly-flying Orientation, c) Belly-fly Left / Right Turn, d) Belly-fly Forward / Backward, e) Belly-fly Up / Down, f) Belly-fly Side Sliding, g) Grip taking, h) Belly In- / Out-face Carving, i) Belly Burble Hops
Tunnel Back Flyer
Recipient has demonstrated the knowledge and skills of a proficient back flyer in the wind tunnel.
How this Merit is Earned
Achieved prerequisite merit: Tunnel Belly Flyer.
In addition, recipient has demonstrated the following to the satisfaction of an AXIS Coach™: a) Back-fly Enter / Exit, b) Neutral/Stable Back-fly Orientation, c) Back-fly Left / Right Turn, d) Back-fly Forward / Backward, e) Back-fly Up / Down, f) Back-fly Side Sliding, g) Grip Taking, h) Belly to Back Left / Right Half Barrel Roll Transition, i) Back to Belly Left / Right Half Barrel Roll Transition, j) Belly to Back Front- / Back-flip Transition, k) Back to Belly Front- / Back-flip Transition, l) 360° Left / Right Barrel Roll, m) Back Burble Hops, n) Back In- / Out-face Carving
Tunnel Head-up Flyer
Recipient has demonstrated the knowledge and skills of a proficient head-up flyer in the wind tunnel.
How this Merit is Earned
Achieved prerequisite merits: Tunnel Belly Flyer and Tunnel Back Flyer.
In addition, recipient has demonstrated the following to the satisfaction of an AXIS Coach™: a) Head-up Enter / Exit, b) Walking, c) Neutral / Stable Head-up Orientation, d) Head-up Left / Right Turn, e) Head-up Forward / Backward, f) Head-up Up / Down, g) Head-up Side Sliding, h) Grip Taking, i) Belly to Head-up Back-flip Transition, j) Head-up to Belly Front-flip Transition, k) Back to Head-up Front-flip Transition, l) Head-up to Back Back-flip Transition, m) Head-up 360° Front- / Back-flip, n) Head-up 360° Right / Left Cartwheel, o) Head-up In- / Out-face Carving, p) Head-up Burble Hops
Tunnel Head-down Flyer
Recipient has demonstrated the knowledge and skills of a proficient head-down flyer in the wind tunnel.
How this Merit is Earned
Achieved prerequisite merits: Tunnel Belly Flyer, Tunnel Back Flyer, and Tunnel Head-up Flyer.
In addition, recipient has demonstrated the following to the satisfaction of an AXIS Coach™: a) Head-down Transition Enter / Exit, b) Neutral/Stable Head-down Orientation, c) Head-down Up / Down, d) Head-down Left / Right Turn, e) Head-down Forward / Backward, f) Head-down Side Sliding, g) Grip Taking, h) Belly to Head-down Front-flip Transition, i) Head-down to Belly Back-flip Transition, j) Back to Head-down Back-flip Transition, k) Head-down to Back Front-flip Transition, l) Head-down to Head-up Front- / Back-flip Transition, m) Head-up to Head-down Front- / Back-flip Transition, n) Head-down 360° Front- / Back-flip, o) Head-down to Head-up Right / Left Cartwheel, p) Head-up to Head-down Right / Left Cartwheel, q) Head-down 360° Right / Left Cartwheel, r) Head-down In- / Out-face Carve, s) Head-down Burble Hops, t) Full Front / Back Layout
Tunnel NINJA
Recipient has demonstrated extraordinary flying ability and contributes to the sport of indoor skydiving by teaching others.
How this Merit is Earned
Achieved merits: Tunnel Belly Flyer, Tunnel Back Flyer, Tunnel Head-up Flyer, Tunnel Head-down Flyer.
Achieved IBA Coach Ratings: Static, Dynamic, and Formation.
In addition, recipient has demonstrated the following to the satisfaction of an AXIS Coach™: a) Neutral/Stable Left and Right Edge Flying Orientations, b) Front and Back Vertical Twists, c) Left and Right Horizontal Twists