LINCOLN PARK — Thrill-seekers will soon be able to experience flying without leaving the city.
iFLY, which bills itself as the world's largest indoor skydiving operation, is opening a new facility March 7 at 800 W. Scott St. near Stanton Park.
The sky diving company says it's the first facility of its kind to open in the city, which means sky divers won't have to travel to iFLY's suburban Naperville and Rosemont facilities for the adrenaline rush.
For the uninitiated, indoor sky diving simulates the outdoor experience by creating a wind tunnel that force sky divers into flight.
The Lincoln park location will have a 12-foot diameter wind tunnel powered by electric motors. A spokeswoman for the company said renderings of the facility were not yet available.
All sky divers must complete a training class with certified instructors before they take flight. Packages start at $76.25 for first-time fliers. Group packages start around $152.71.
There are no age limitations for sky diving, but people with shoulder, back or neck injuries are encouraged to consult a doctor before flying. The standard weight limit is 250 pounds, but that is subject to change depending on the sky diver's height and body type.
“Our mission is to deliver the dream of flight to everybody, whether you’re age 3 or 103,” said Matt Ryan, iFLY president and COO, in a prepared statement.
Since 1998, more than 7 million people have taken flight through iFLY, which runs 16 other facilities across the country.
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