Everyone can fly in Empuriabrava

Before entering the wind tunnel, an instructor gives instructions to a group of participants in wheelchairs. Everyone listens attentively. Picture by Windoor Empuriabrava.

The Empuriabrava Wind Tunnel has organised an adapted flight practice session for flyers with reduced mobility. The initiative is part of the European project #WindTunnelHandifly2021, which promotes adapted indoor flights among people with disabilities.

Around twenty members of MIFAS, an organisation from Girona that works for the social inclusion of people with physical, organic and sensory disabilities, took part in the session. They did so through MIFASXperience, a programme of inclusive experiences related to leisure, culture and sport that aims to enable all people with disabilities to share experiences and socialise.

Living the experience

Before entering the wind tunnel, the participants receive the necessary equipment: a flight suit, goggles, a helmet and earplugs. Afterwards, an instructor gives them a quick briefing on what to look out for during the flight. In this case, he also shows them some adapted prosthesis for flying provided by the French Parachuting Federation, which allow people with reduced mobility to experience indoor flying.

*In the room with direct access to the wind tunnel, an instructor attaches the prosthesis to one of the participants. Picture by Windoor Empuriabrava.*

This is a device that supports the users’ legs, helping them to maintain a stable posture during the flight. This stability allows the users to enjoy the activity 100%.

Once the users are equipped with the necessary equipment and instructions, everything is ready for the experience. During the flight, which takes place inside a transparent cylinder about 14 metres high, the wind speed ranges between 150 and 290 km/h. The activity reproduces the sensation of flying at an altitude of 4,000 metres. Two one-minute adrenaline-fuelled flights and a completely inclusive activity.

Inside the wind tunnel, a user, equipped with a flight suit, a helmet, a mask and the prosthesis that holds his legs in place to maintain stability, flies with the help of an instructor. Picture by Windoor Empuriabrava.

Windoor Empuriabrava opened 10 years ago. The facilities have an access ramp, a lift and an adapted toilet. Around the tunnel, there is a leisure area where companions and visitors can watch both beginners and professionals flying while they practice indoor flying.

Windoor Empuriabrava and Skydive Empuriabrava, located just a few metres from each other, have turned Empuriabrava into the flying centre of the Costa Brava. If you want to fly, you can do it in Empuriabrava. Are you up for it?