iFly The Skydiving Simulator @ Sentosa

What's next after the worlds biggest ferries wheel - Singapore Flyer? For those who crave a more adrenalin-inducing vertical experience, a skydiving simulator is set to debut in Singapore next year.

iFly Singapore on Sentosa will send participants - first-time adventure seekers and skydiving enthusiasts alike - some 17 metres, or approximately five storeys high in a transparent wind tunnel, for a realistic free fall experience. Built right next to the Beach Train Station, the simulator will offer flyers panoramic views of the South China Sea, Siloso Beach, and a nightly fireworks treat from the "Songs of the Sea" attraction.

The S$16 million project - developed by SkyVenture Singapore - was officially announced on 15 May, and is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2009. SkyVenture Singapore is a franchise of Skyventure, a US-based vertical wind tunnel manufacturer with 15 facilities currently in operation and another 17 undergoing construction around the world.

iFly Singapore Manager Director Lawrence Koh expects the simulator to be a hit with locals and tourists alike, and he estimates that 100,000 people will try out the simulator in its first year of operation. As the public has no access to a parachute drop zone in Singapore, iFly Singapore will offer anyone from amateurs to professionals the chance to skydive in a safe, realistic and affordable indoor setting.

Besides thrill seekers, iFly Singapore will also feature an educational component - schools can use the innovative wind tunnel technology and free fall experience to explain physics concepts and body physiology to students.

The iFly experience will cost no more than S$40 and will last approximately 30 minutes. Fees include gear rental and professional coaching from certified instructors.