You either jump or you don't—with skydiving, there’s no in between. Unless, of course, you're at Skydive Paraclete XP. Here, guests can join the team of safety-oriented experts for a real-world dive or opt to free fall at the indoor skydiving facility.

Wait. What is indoor skydiving?

The key here is the facility's vertical tunnel, 51 feet tall and more than 16 feet in diameter. The industrial-strength fans at its base blast a column of air upward, which visitors can ride to experience the sensation of free fall.

Say that again?

Think of it like this—in the wind tunnel, you're really floating on air, and wind is rushing past you as if you were free falling, but you're hovering. You're not really plummeting towards the ground.

Is this good practice for real skydiving?

Yes. In fact, the tunnel is so big that military personnel have practiced eight-person skydiving formations in it.

What happens before and after I indoor skydive?

Before, you take a preflight course and don your flight gear: a one-piece suit and helmet, a sleek alternative to most skydivers' full-body pigeon costumes. Afterward, you receive a flight certificate. See more information on what to expect.