Wind tunnel - a new innovation in the field of entertainment

Wind tunnel as a modern business idea

An aerodynamic machine has long ceased to be just a production tool and a simulator for parachutists.
Today this device can be found in the entertainment and attractions industry. A wind tunnel has a very simple design that provides a strong flow of air that holds an object or person. This feature allows it to be widely used in various areas of business and production. For example, the wind tunnel is very popular among fans of outlandish entertainment, which makes this type of business one of the most profitable. It is interesting that despite the popularity of the car, even in big cities there are few companies that are ready to offer the services of such an attraction, which means that there is little competition. Being one of the new American business ideas, it will bring you good income if you work hard at it.

Types of wind tunnels

Today there are a large number of vertical wind tunnels that are used for a variety of purposes - for entertainment, for training or as military training options. Among them there are several types:

Mobile wind tunnels - this option is open and is characterized by a strong air supply and a small diameter of the flight zone, which is about 2 m. Due to its small dimensions, it is often used for various public events as attractions. Among the features of such a design, it is worth highlighting the increased background noise, which in general can sometimes even be beneficial, since it creates a more realistic feeling of free flight.

Stationary - this type of wind tunnel is installed on a foundation and has a large diameter flight zone.

If we consider all types of wind tunnels, and not just the VAT (Vertical Wind Tunnel) for training parachutists, we can classify them as follows:

• subsonic;
• transonic;
• transonic;
• supersonic;
• hypersonic.

Here the classification method is the speed and direction of the flow in the working part of the wind tunnel.

Wind tunnel, equipment price - open a business

Despite the fact that the business is considered small, the expenses for its owner are by no means small. And an hour of entertainment in such a design costs about 8 thousand rubles. Moreover, this price includes not so much the cost of the equipment as the cost of powering the machine.

Wind tunnel cost

Today on the aerodynamic installations market you can purchase not only huge units, but also mobile ones, which is very convenient. Yes, and they are cheaper. However, it should be noted that the cheapest mobile design costs about 3-10 million rubles, depending on additional options. The most expensive wind tunnels with all the functions and wear resistance cost about 20-30 million rubles. The dimensions of these installations are also significantly larger than previous options. The most expensive among professional machines cost approximately 100 million rubles. Such wind tunnels are distinguished not only by their wear resistance and a huge number of useful options, but also by their low noise level and low energy consumption. However, the purchase often justifies itself, because it pays off relatively quickly.

Cost of operation and maintenance of a wind tunnel

Not only the device itself can be considered expensive, but also its operation and maintenance. The fact is that any of the proposed installations requires a lot of energy, regardless of whether it runs on electricity or diesel fuel. Electricity consumption starts from 250 kW/hour and ends with a huge 2-3 megawatts. The average figure, in particular for mobile installations, is approximately 350-500 kW/hour. But you also need to take into account the fact that any such structures have two modes: standard and reinforced. It all depends on the weight of the person who will use the unit and the desired quality of air flow.

Diesel units also have, as a rule, two operating options: medium and enhanced. And fuel consumption here fluctuates around 30-50 liters per hour. Thus, an hour of operation of the device will cost 1200-3000 rubles.

Advice: if you are planning to become a large entrepreneur and buy large and expensive wind tunnel installations, you may want to consider building a power plant to go with it. But it is worth remembering that there are few such units not only because they are expensive, but also because if you make a lot of them, this can lead to an energy crisis.

Cost of installing equipment and starting a business

In addition to the fact that the installation itself costs from 3 to 100 million rubles, it is worth thinking about where to attach it. In addition to the fact that you will have to build a special room and a power plant, if necessary, you will also need the services of a crane, since securing the equipment is not so easy. Plus, to all this, you will need to constantly buy additional parts and make repairs. It is much easier to create a cleaning company from scratch or organize a mini-production in a garage.

In addition to the installation itself, you will need equipment, namely: various helmets, gloves, overalls and masks. The cost of 10 sets will cost you approximately 100 thousand rubles. Advertising, documentation and other expenses will cost you an additional 100 thousand rubles. Inventory, various safety and sound insulation equipment - plus another 200 thousand rubles.

Classification

1. They are primarily classified according to a range of flow rates. Those. Aircraft can be subsonic, supersonic, transonic, and hypersonic.
2. The second classification takes into account the type and size of the working part. Those. A. t. can be open and closed.
3. The third classification takes into account such a characteristic as compression. It is calculated by the ratio of such quantities as the cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe nozzle and the prechamber.

In addition to this classification, three groups of A. are distinguished:

1. High temperature. She studies the influence of high temperatures and the phenomena associated with it. This is the dissociation and ionization of gases.
2. High-rise. It studies the flow of rarefied gas around models, i.e. flight at high altitude is simulated.
3. Aeroacoustic. She studies the influence of acoustic fields on the stability of a structure, the operation of various mechanisms, etc.

To study the characteristics of ship hull parts, duplicated models are used, this makes it possible to eliminate the flow of media on the separation surface. As an alternative, a special screen that simulates the surface of water can be used.

Income from the installation of a wind tunnel

Taking into account the fact that an hour of operation of a diesel or electric wind tunnel costs about 3 thousand rubles, and for clients 8-10 thousand rubles, there will not be a huge flow of people wanting to try interesting entertainment. However, it is worth considering the fact that even if you turn on the ADT for at least two hours a day, you will make a good profit. Plus, professional training skydivers spend huge amounts of money all the time, and if they make up the majority of your clients, you won't have to worry about income.

Tip: Investing in a wind tunnel is not a profitable investment without risk. Therefore, before you start working in this area, you need to economically calculate the demand and profitability in the area that you like to develop your business. The risk of not recouping the huge investment is too great, so do not skimp and ask for professional advice on this issue.

"Typical" experiments

Impeller (impeller) of the GUMRF wind tunnel Duplicated model of the surface part of the vessel in the GUMRF wind tunnel

Measuring pressure over the body surface

For research it is necessary to make a drained

body model - holes are made in the surface of the model, which are connected by hoses to pressure gauges.

In fluid mechanics, it has been proven that pressure is transmitted unchanged across the boundary layer, which makes it possible to calculate the pressure resistance of a body from the results of pressure measurements.

Measuring forces and moments acting on a body

For research it is necessary to hang

model on a multicomponent dynamometer (Aerodynamic balance) or on a system of stretch marks, which allows you to measure the tension of each stretch mark.

The recalculation of forces and moments acting on the body is carried out in accordance with the Reynolds similarity criterion.

Current visualization

To solve this problem, use woolen threads (silks) glued to the surface of the model or attached to a wire mesh. It is possible to set up an experiment with the supply of colored smoke to characteristic zones of the flow, but the duration of such an experiment (in pipes with repeated air circulation) is, as a rule, very short due to the general smoke pollution of the entire aerodynamic path.

Source

Where to buy a wind tunnel?

Since wind tunnel equipment is really expensive, it is necessary to analyze the market for such devices before purchasing. Where can you find competent suppliers? ADTs are produced not only abroad, but also in Russia. Be sure to look for reviews and advice from those who are involved in a similar business and understand its details.

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The wind tunnel business can hardly be called small due to the costs, although it is called as such. Those who plan to do this will have to invest a lot of money. Such a business is clearly not suitable for beginners, but experienced and wealthy entrepreneurs can invest in such a business. But they also need to be careful and carefully study the demand for such services.

Wind tunnel business: is the flight normal?

Even before the beginning of the “airplane” era, people dreamed of “flying like birds.” Today this is no longer so relevant. Everyone has the opportunity to “defeat gravity” in the increasingly popular wind tunnel attraction.

For many years, this device was intended to simulate the behavior of aircraft in air currents, but in 1981, engineer Gene Germain patented a vertical subsonic wind tunnel for training parachutists. Even then it was clear that this device could be used for commercial purposes, but it had a significant drawback - the prohibitive price.

By 2010, thanks to new technologies, it was possible to reduce the cost of the attraction to a level at which consumer demand appeared. As a result, many entrepreneurs have become interested in the new niche, especially since equipment manufacturers are convincing that the entertainment wind tunnel is a business that can make investors rich. But is this business idea really such a good idea?

Wind tunnel: an unusual way to learn to fly

A wind tunnel is a simulator thanks to which a person who has always dreamed of jumping with a parachute can fully experience all the sensations of free fall without risking his own life and without experiencing fear of heights. It consists of several large fans that force air into a long vertical pipe, thereby creating the effect of falling at high speed for all the bodies that are inside. The flight zone is demarcated by a metal mesh that prevents athletes from getting caught in the fan blades (I wonder if there is a horror movie where this happens?)

Vertical wind tunnels first appeared in the 60s in the United States as a training area to prepare airborne troops and officers for parachute jumps. Over time, such structures lost their exclusively military status and became a popular leisure activity for both professional parachutists and ordinary thrill-seekers.

“Popular Mechanics” visited the “Free Flight” sports and entertainment complex, where one of these simulators is located. We have already been to such an attraction and wrote an article about it, but believe me: every time it is a new sensation. Moreover, last time the material was prepared by a different editor. And there cannot be two identical perceptions of flight in a tube.

...allow everyone to watch the activities taking place inside the pipe

Most often, wind tunnels are built into existing structures, but here the pipe is made into a separate extension, and its design is monolithic, and no questions arise about the strength of the system. The inside is spacious: the pipe height is 7 meters and the diameter is 4 meters. It is currently one of the tallest vertical wind tunnels in the world, although increasingly taller structures are being built for this purpose every year. The average flow speed in the pipes ranges from 190 to 260 km/h, and the minimum flow speed for lifting off an adult in a “hoodie” is about 130 km/h. The operator monitoring the work area can timely increase and decrease the flow rate as needed (so, was there a horror movie on this topic?) Among other things, this is a closed-circuit pipe, so the ability to conduct training does not depend on weather conditions.

Forgotten Soviet stamps: “Uralets”

First person
The feeling of flying is very vivid, but it is quite difficult to convey it.
At first, it’s hard to believe that an air flow can not only lift a person off the ground, but also hold him in this position. But all doubts instantly evaporate when a tight stream of air grabs and literally pulls you inside the flight chamber under the loud roar of giant fans. When I first got here, I felt like a dry leaf, tossed about by the merciless autumn drafts. If it weren’t for the help of the instructor, who guided my flight and did not allow the air flow to throw me from side to side, I would not have gotten out of there on my own. No matter how scary it may be at first, once you get used to it, you will be overwhelmed with delight! The photo is from the official website, because our photographer blurred the last series of photos

Attending training takes place in full equipment: parachute suit, helmet, goggles and earplugs. Ordinary clothing can be damaged, and buttons and zippers can fly off. During the flight, there are also a number of simple but mandatory rules: you need to lie down on the flow with your chest, arching your back, keep your legs and arms in a slightly bent position. Of course, experienced athletes boldly perform tricks and somersaults in the air, but all a beginner can do is frantically cling to the instructor.

First-person perspective
Even an untrained person quickly masters the airspace.
For the first few seconds, you are suffocating, because a stream of air hits your face with such force that you feel like a viscous and dense substance is creeping into your mouth and eyes. Probably, a person who grew gills and dived into the depths for the first time would feel the same: at first you frantically try to breathe and only then realize that you don’t feel suffocated and oxygen flows perfectly into your lungs. The basic rule is to arch your back and keep your arms and legs slightly bent to lie flat in the air. Those who enter the pipe for the first time may feel slightly dizzy - only a metal mesh of thin rods separates them from the black hole of the shaft, where a huge rotor howls at the very bottom. Therefore, the most important rule is to always keep your head up and don’t look down. Children also willingly attend the pipe and train on an equal basis with adults.

To summarize, we can say: yes, this is a cool experience. An ideal solution for those who have dreamed of skydiving all their lives, but are afraid of heights. And no less ideal for those who have already jumped. Still, flight in a tube is distinguished by its safety and potential infinity. Because the earth is always close.

Wind tunnel: a brief overview of the market

Due to the high cost of the wind tunnel, entrepreneurs are afraid to install attractions in small towns, giving preference to shopping and entertainment centers in regional megacities. But even here, rare entrepreneurs can boast of good traffic. On forums you can find posts in which users write about their disappointment.

When asked “would you like to visit a wind tunnel,” about 15% of young people aged 18 to 30 said “yes.” He said that they dream of “defeating gravity,” even if they have to pay 5 thousand rubles for 10 minutes of flight. In relation to Russia, we are talking about an audience of potential clients of 3.6 million people who are ready to spend a total of 1.5 billion rubles a year on this type of entertainment.

In reality, the income of wind tunnel owners is much more modest. And it's not just the current economic crisis. Low demand indicates problems in promoting business in specific conditions. In other words, no matter how great the idea is, implementing it can be problematic.

How to start a wind tunnel business?

Others, on the contrary, insist on placing the wind tunnel indoors in shopping malls or fitness centers, for example, next to a rock climbing studio or in the foyer of a water park.

Thus, starting a wind tunnel business requires choosing a location, and it is better to stock up on several options. It must be taken into account that in addition to 20-25 sq. meters of area for the attraction itself and the operator's cabin, you will also need a locker room. This is plus 10 sq. meters at least.

The choice of location for the attraction can also be affected by the modification of the wind tunnel.

How much does it cost to open a wind tunnel?

After the entrepreneur has chosen a location and settled on a wind tunnel model, he needs to draw up a detailed business plan with cost estimates. And then strictly follow it.

Here are the main steps of a business plan:

After this, you can open the attraction.

Next, let’s look at what a businessman needs to pay special attention to.

Staff

For normal operation of the wind tunnel, at least 3 people will be required:

Marketing and advertising

Without active and systematic advertising, you can’t count on good traffic. In addition to the traditional PR campaign, which includes publications in the media and videos on local television, it is necessary to maintain pages on social networks, talking about interesting moments at the attraction. For example, the “Marriage in Heaven” campaign may be popular.

Risks of accidents

You need to understand that not everyone can visit a simulator of the effect of weightlessness or free fall. In particular, children or older people may experience breathing problems. This happens extremely rarely, however, you need to be prepared for it.

DIY wind tunnel - How to make a wind tunnel

A wind tunnel is a modern sports and entertainment facility that simulates a free fall, like during a skydive. Despite the fact that this entertainment is quite budget-friendly, it is nevertheless capable of bringing a huge amount of positive emotions, seasoned with a certain amount of extreme sports. Much of this popularity is due to the minimum of contraindications, as well as a large number of positive properties, including a beneficial effect on human health - the wind tunnel works in such a way that the soaring body is subjected to physical activity, due to which after the flight muscle fatigue is noted and a large number of calories are burned .

How safe is it to fly in a wind tunnel?

Beginners are interested in whether flying in wind tunnels is dangerous. As research and practical use show, free floating in a wind tunnel is absolutely safe due to its special design. The design of the wind tunnel allows the floating human body, even if the fan turns out to be faulty and suddenly turns off, to gently fall onto the mesh, primarily due to the air flow. Also, with such designs, there is always an instructor present who monitors the correct position of the person relative to the air flow and instructs him on the rules for staying and flying in a wind tunnel. According to those who have already tried such flights, immediately after the first three to four minutes, soaring in the air occurs absolutely naturally, and after several sessions people can already fly independently without an instructor.

If you liked this article, check out our flight programs Wind tunnel for children Flight for beginners Birthday organization Flights for professionals

How to make a wind tunnel

Translated by SaorY for mozgochiny.ru

Greetings to all brainiacs ! Today we will touch upon the entertaining world of physics, that is, we will create with our own hands to visualize the processes of flow physics.

This “airy” homemade product reveals the magic of aerodynamics, that is, everything that falls, flies, spins, etc. and can be an excellent visual aid for children in physics lessons. The design of the pipe is quite strong, so it can be used not only in a vertical position, but also in a horizontal one.

How does a wind tunnel work?

A wind tunnel is a special structure in the form of a spacious vertical tube, in the lower part of which a heavy-duty fan is mounted. Thanks to the latter, an air flow is created inside the pipe, the air speed of which is about 200 km/h. Although, in order to lift a person’s body into the air and hold it for a long time, an air flow speed of 160 km/h is enough. In addition, you can change the speed of falling by changing your posture. Fans of parachuting claim that this is exactly the feeling you experience in free fall, for example, when jumping with a parachute.

If we talk about materials, special glass is used for the construction of the wind tunnel, which guarantees the maximum feeling of free flight. In general, the wind tunnel is designed in such a way that it does not pose the slightest danger to humans, which is confirmed by both numerous scientific and practical tests.

Today, there are a large number of different types of wind tunnels, the type of which determines the size of the flight zone, that is, its height and diameter. If we talk about minimum values, then in this case the diameter of the open pipe should be at least 2.2 meters. In principle, such indicators are enough for a person of any parameters (even if we imagine that the height of the flyer is more than 2 m, then during the flight the human body takes a specific pose - the legs are bent at an angle of 45 degrees, and the arms are at 90, so there will be quite enough free space ). The height of the pipe also varies depending on the type of structure, in particular the minimum is 6 m. If we talk about more powerful structures, their diameter ranges from 2.5 to 3 m. In some cases, several people are allowed to fly in a wind tunnel at once, if we are talking about professional structures whose height reaches 9 meters. It is worth noting that for professional wind tunnels a much more powerful fan is used, and in general such an attraction will appeal to already experienced athletes who are able to perform various tricks in flight. For beginners, it is better to choose the most minimal indicators - this will make it much safer to develop flight skills before moving on to serious designs.

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