Indoor Skydiving – Is It Like The Real Thing?
Indoor skydiving has exploded in popularity across the Northeast. Wind tunnels make it possible to experience the sensation of flight year-round—from New York City to New Jersey and beyond. It’s fun, accessible, and a great introduction to the idea of freefall. But how close is indoor skydiving to the real thing?
The short answer: it’s a taste—not the full experience.
Indoor skydiving takes place in a vertical wind tunnel, where powerful air lifts you off the ground and simulates the feeling of falling. There’s no airplane, no altitude, and no parachute—just steady airflow in a controlled environment. It’s easy to try, requires very little training, and is perfect for beginners who want to get comfortable flying without stepping out of a plane.
What Real Skydiving Feels Like
Skydiving from an aircraft is an entirely different level of adventure.
At Skydive Sussex, your experience begins with a scenic climb to altitude—up to 14,500 feet above the Northeast landscape. On the ride up, your instructor can point out familiar landmarks, from rolling New Jersey countryside to distant views toward New York on clear days.
Then comes the moment you can’t recreate indoors: stepping out into real open sky.
You accelerate quickly, reaching freefall speeds of around 120 mph, feeling the rush of wind, the change in temperature, and the vastness of the air around you. It’s raw, exhilarating, and impossible to simulate in a tunnel. After nearly a full minute of freefall, your parachute opens and the intensity gives way to a peaceful, unforgettable glide back to the ground.
That mix of anticipation, adrenaline, awe, and accomplishment is what makes outdoor skydiving so powerful—and why landing feels like such a personal victory.
Ready to Go Beyond the Tunnel?
If you’ve tried indoor skydiving and are wondering what comes next, a tandem skydive is the real upgrade. At Skydive Sussex, our instructors specialize in first-time jumpers and bring decades of combined experience and thousands of skydives to every jump.
We’ll guide you through every step, from gearing up to landing safely—so you can focus on enjoying the moment.
Think you’re ready to experience the real thing? Learn more about trying a tandem skydive or check out our pricing and take the leap. Blue skies!
Book your jump today and enjoy the best views in the New York area—from 14,500 feet above it all. Blue skies!