Too scared to jump out of a plane but still want to fly? iFly is here to help you

So you want to skydive, but there’s no way you’re ever jumping out of a plane. We don’t blame you. We’re nervous about that whole plummeting idea, too.

But there’s no reason to be anxious about checking out iFly Indoor Skydiving range in Davie. Located right off I-595 at 11690 W. State Road 84 in Davie, the giant vertical wind tunnel allows you to experience free fall without all the added stress of worrying your parachute may not open.

The sensation is eerily like the real thing, we hear.

“It’s very similar,” flight instructor manager Chris Dixon says. “Once you get in free fall, it’s the same thing.” 

There are few restrictions on who can participate. The age limit ranges from 3 to 103 (general manager Jim Braun says a recent family group included a 3-year-old and his 87-year-old great grandfather). 

You can’t fly if you’re pregnant or weigh more than 300 pounds (and if you’re over 260 pounds, you need to alert the staff). If you have recent back, neck or heart problems, check with a doctor before signing up, and definitely skip it if you’ve had a dislocated shoulder. The force of the wind could dislocate it all over again.

Disabled thrillseekers soar at this indoor skydiving range 

Also, don’t be shy: Everybody sits around the wind tunnel watching you fly. But don’t worry. The group is usually supportive and friendly, especially from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month, when iFly hosts All Abilities Night for disabled patrons at a discounted rate ($39.95).

Otherwise, packages start at $69.95, depending on how many flights you want to make. If you want to get as good as the instructors – who perform breathtaking tricks between sessions – you are going to need quite a few of them.

So. Should you do it?

“If you have that inkling of wanting to do it, do it,” says Kattah, who has jumped out of an actual plane twice before and plans to do it again. “Don’t let fear guide you. In the end you’re going to be so happy you did it.”

This story was originally published July 24, 2017 at 3:07 AM.