Montgomery Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate

The most unusual part of this experience is also the simplest: you float in a column of air instead of jumping from an aircraft. At iFLY Montgomery, a powerful vertical wind tunnel sends air upward at speeds reaching 130 to 175 mph, giving you the sensation of human flight in a controlled indoor setting.

I like the fact that your two flights are one-on-one with an instructor, and that training and all flight gear are included in the $101 price. I also like the personalized certificate, which gives you something tangible to take home. The main consideration is physical eligibility: previous neck, back, heart, or shoulder problems, pregnancy, hard casts, and some weight ranges can prevent participation.

Key Points

• Two 60-second flights: You fly twice, one person at a time with your instructor.
• An 800-horsepower wind tunnel: Wall-to-wall airflow keeps you supported inside the chamber.
• Instruction comes first: Every first-time flyer takes a safety and body-position class.
• Suitable for ages 3 and up: There is no stated upper age limit, but a moderate fitness level is required.
• Wayne is one named instructor: The experience can include a fun, reassuring instructor such as Wayne, who was specifically praised for helping flyers feel safe.
• A certificate completes the experience: You receive a personalized flight certificate after your flights.

Floating in Air at iFLY Montgomery

At 9400 Gaither Road in Gaithersburg, iFLY Montgomery turns the basic idea of a parachute jump into an indoor activity. You do not leave a plane, step off a platform, or experience a drop. You enter a glass-sided flight chamber where air rises fast enough to support your body.

The tunnel uses fans above the chamber to pull air upward, redirect it down the sides, compress it, and send it back through the flight area. That design creates a smooth column of air rather than a rough blast from one direction. The airflow reaches speeds used by experienced flyers and professional skydivers, but your session is designed for a first-timer.

That distinction matters. You are not expected to know how to control your body before you arrive. Your instructor shows you how to hold your arms and legs, how to keep your body stable, and how to respond to simple hand signals. Once you enter the chamber, the operator gradually raises the air speed while your instructor remains close.

The result is an adrenaline rush without the sensation of falling. You feel wind on your face, much like leaning your head out of a moving car, but you can breathe normally through your nose or mouth.

What Happens During the 75 to 90 Minutes

The published timing is not perfectly consistent. The main description gives an overall duration of about 75 minutes, while the practical information allows about 90 minutes from start to finish. I would plan on roughly an hour and a half, even if the active session finishes sooner.

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Check-in matters because the session begins promptly, and arriving late could leave you scrambling through the preparation period. The meeting point is also the end point, so you arrange your own transportation to and from iFLY Montgomery.

Your session begins with gear and instruction. You put on a flight suit over your clothes, along with a helmet and goggles. The suit has handles that let the instructor guide or steady you if needed. You also receive a short training class with safety information and practice for the correct flying position.

A session may include several people, but that does not mean you are packed into the tunnel together. The supplied information gives two group-size figures, up to six people in one description and up to 12 in the frequently asked questions. The practical point is that the session is shared, while your actual flight is one-on-one with the instructor.

Each flight lasts 60 seconds. That may sound brief, but one minute in a strong vertical air column demands attention. You need to listen, hold your position, and make small adjustments rather than simply enjoy the view. You then return for a second one-minute flight, usually with a better sense of how your body responds.

Your Two Flights in the Wind Tunnel

The first flight is about getting stable. The operator raises the air speed until you lift from the floor, while the instructor helps you find the position that lets the airflow support you. You may feel wobbly at first. That is normal for a first session, and the instructor is there to correct your position.

The second flight gives you a chance to use what you learned. Some beginners can make turns or move around with guidance, but flips and tricks are reserved for people with more experience. I would treat the second flight as time to improve control, not as a promise of acrobatics.

The chamber’s wall-to-wall airflow is one of the most reassuring features. You are not balancing on a narrow stream of air or trying to avoid falling away from a platform. The air supports the full width of the chamber, while your instructor stays with you.

The tunnel can be loud, so instructions are communicated through signals and careful pre-flight teaching. You should pay close attention during training. The class is not filler before the fun begins. It teaches the body position and signals that make the flights work.

How Scary Is Indoor Flight?

For most first-timers, the experience is more strange than frightening. There is no jump and no sensation of dropping. You are enclosed, supported by air, and accompanied by an instructor throughout your time in the chamber.

The unusual part is the force of the wind. At speeds between 130 and 175 mph, you feel air pressing against your body and face. Breathing is not meant to be difficult, but you should expect a strong rush of air. Relaxing your shoulders and following instructions will help.

I would not call the activity completely effortless. You need enough body control to hold the taught position, and the experience requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Still, you do not need prior experience, and the instructor can help you make adjustments from inside the chamber.

The strongest praise attached to this experience centers on the instructor’s role. Wayne was specifically singled out for being fun, well-prepared, and reassuring. That is important here because good instruction changes the tone from being blasted by a giant fan to learning a new physical skill with someone watching your back.

Who Can Fly and Who Should Skip It

The minimum age is three, and there is no stated upper age limit. Children under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign the waiver. That makes this a possible family activity, though younger children still need to be comfortable with the helmet, suit, noise, and strong airflow.

You must not fly if you are pregnant, wearing a hard cast, or have certain previous or current health concerns. The restrictions include neck, back, and heart problems, as well as shoulder dislocations and injuries. If any of those apply to you, contact the location before booking rather than hoping the issue will be cleared on arrival.

Weight rules require extra care. People over 300 pounds cannot participate. Those between 260 and 300 pounds may need an additional evaluation by local staff, and other limits could apply. The current weight should be entered in the special requirements area when booking to help prevent delays.

There is no height restriction. Wear comfortable clothes beneath the suit, preferably pants and a shirt without a collar. Well-fitting lace-up sneakers or running shoes are recommended. Tie long hair into a braid and low bun.

Remove loose items before flying. That includes watches, rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, hair accessories, and anything in your pockets. Lockers are available, but I would leave valuable items at home. Glasses can be worn with larger goggles that fit over them.

Service animals are allowed. The experience is offered in English, and mobile ticketing makes the booking process simple.

Is $101 a Fair Price?

At $101 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend an hour. The actual flight time totals only two minutes, so the price may look high if you measure value by time inside the tunnel.

That is the wrong comparison, though. You are paying for a specialized facility, trained instruction, safety equipment, a training session, two individual flights, and the staff needed to operate the tunnel. Taxes, fees, and handling charges are included, so the listed price is a better guide to your final cost than a low headline rate with add-ons.

The certificate adds modest souvenir value. It will not replace a long day of sightseeing, but it gives a child, first-time flyer, or celebration group a physical reminder of the experience. The main value is the unusual nature of the activity. Few ordinary outings let you experience controlled human flight without aircraft, altitude, or parachute training.

You should also budget for your own food and drinks, since neither is included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided, so you make your own way to Gaithersburg. The activity ends at the same iFLY location.

Booking, Timing, and Cancellation

The experience is often booked about 14 days ahead. That is a useful planning guide, especially if you need a particular date or want to coordinate several people. Confirmation arrives at booking.

If you need to change the reservation, call the location directly. Date and time changes cannot be made through another method. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Within 24 hours, cancellations and changes are not accepted, and the payment is not refunded.

The listed maximum is 10 people, although the session information also describes smaller or larger group arrangements. If you are booking for a group, ask the location how your party will be placed in the session. You will still fly one at a time with the instructor.

Family and friends can come along to watch from the observation area. That works well if someone wants to share the outing without taking part, though only booked participants receive the training and flights.

Is This Experience Right for You?

Book it if you want a short, unusual activity that feels physical and memorable without the height of an aircraft jump. It is particularly well suited to families with older children, couples looking for something different, and first-timers who want a controlled introduction to human flight.

It also works well for someone who is curious about skydiving but not ready to leave a plane. You still get the wind, body control, instructor signals, and feeling of being airborne, but the flight chamber is enclosed and the instructor stays beside you.

Think twice if you dislike loud environments, strong airflow, or activities that require body control. Also check the medical and weight rules before paying. The experience is short, and those two one-minute flights go quickly, so it is best for people who value novelty and instruction more than a long activity.

At $101, I would book this as a special outing rather than a casual filler activity. The two guided flights, included equipment, careful preparation, and personalized certificate make the price reasonable for a purpose-built experience. Arrive early, wear the right shoes, leave loose jewelry at home, and listen closely during training. You will get more from the short flight time if you treat it as a skill to learn, not just a quick thrill.

FAQ

How does the Montgomery indoor flight experience work?

Fans pull air through the chamber, redirect it down the sides, compress it, and send it upward through the flight area. The resulting vertical column of air supports your body.

How long is each flight?

Each of the two flights lasts 60 seconds. The full first-time experience takes about 75 minutes according to the main description, while the practical information recommends allowing about 90 minutes.

Do I fly alone or with a group?

You take part in a shared session, but you fly one at a time in the chamber with your instructor. The session may include several other participants.

Is the experience suitable for children?

The minimum age is three. Anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian to sign the waiver.

Are there weight restrictions?

Participants over 300 pounds cannot fly. People between 260 and 300 pounds require an evaluation by local staff, and additional restrictions may apply.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing beneath the flight suit and well-fitting lace-up sneakers or running shoes. Avoid shirts with collars, and tie long hair into a braid and low bun.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.