Accessible Britain

Southport Pier
105 Airkix Indoor Skydiving, Manchester
Address: 9 Trafford Way, Trafford Park, Manchester M41 7JA Web: www.airkix.com Tel: 0845 3316549
Hours: reception: daily 9am–9pm; flying: Mon–Fri 11am–11pm, from 9am during school hols; Sat, Sun
& bank hols 7am–11pm; check website for peak times Dates: closed 25 Dec Entry: from £29.99 off-peak
and when booked online; no concessions; multiple-flight packages and family flights available
Experience the thrill of “flying” in a vertical wind tunnel at this extraordinary indoor skydiving
venue, that is suitable for people of all abilities, including those with physical disabilities.
The activity takes place in a flight chamber, where a column of air (with wind speeds
of over 100mph) suspends you, allowing you to experience the sensation of freefall in a
totally safe environment. You’ll begin your “Learn to Fly” session with twenty minutes
in the classroom, where you’ll meet your instructor, watch an instructional DVD, get
briefed and kitted out in your flying suit. From here, you’ll enter the wind tunnel area.
When your turn comes, you simply lean into the wind towards your instructor and take
flight. Your instructor will help you master the basic moves: going up, down, forwards,
backwards and sideways.
Airkix welcomes visitors with physical disabilities, and staff are experienced at dealing
with disabled people; it is recommended, however, that disabled visitors contact the
centre in advance. It is also a good idea if you can book your session on a weekday, so
that extra time and attention can be allocated. There are three Blue Badge spaces in the
car park, near the entrance. The building is fully accessible, with good-sized lifts between
the different levels, and there are three accessible toilets at the venue. Note that a carer
is permitted to enter the flying zone with you (free of charge), though not the flight
chamber itself – but the instructor will be with you in the chamber at all times. Airkix
are in the process of adding signed subtitles to the instructional DVDs for visitors with
hearing impairments.
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