Inclined wind tunnel technology

Banana WS — the inclined wind tunnel for wingsuit flight

A single-loop inclined circuit, model TT54 WS, engineered to simulate true forward-glide flight — not the vertical freefall of a conventional skydiving tunnel.

Built on the same fan, glass and duct engineering already operating in TunnelTech's vertical TT-PRO tunnels, and delivered royalty-free, FOB, to your nearest international seaport.

Discuss your projectSee the full specification
Banana WS inclined wind tunnel — 3D render of the complete circuit: fan section, ducting, turning vanes and the inclined glass flight chamber

Why inclined, not vertical

Forward-glide flight, not vertical freefall

A wingsuit pilot in flight glides forward, trading altitude for horizontal distance — a trajectory a vertical skydiving tunnel, built to hold a flyer stationary in a column of rising air, cannot reproduce. TunnelTech's inclined circuit tilts and curves the entire flight chamber to match that forward-glide path.

Product lineBanana WS

Single-loop inclined circuit, model TT54 WS

01 / Top airspeed
270km/h

Standard configuration; extendable through Advanced Power and Beast Mode.

02 / Flight chamber
12m

12 m as standard, extendable to 16 m with the Extended Glide Ratio option.

Two circuit configurations

One flight-chamber platform, two circuit geometries

Configuration / 01

Single-loop — Banana WS

Top airspeed270km/h
Flight chamber12 m
Footprint900 m² / 30.5 × 29.5 m
Engineering drawing of the Banana WS single-loop inclined wind tunnel circuit, plan and elevation views
Designed for
  • Flagship inclined-tunnel installations
  • Facilities pairing wingsuit flight with an entertainment or tourism programme
  • Sites with a single dedicated building footprint

Pilots enter through an antechamber and airlock, accelerate along the curved chamber, and fly beneath a frameless 54 mm chemically strengthened glass roof. Standard glide ratio range: 1.25–3.0.

Configuration / 02

Glide 4.0 — extended closed circuit

Top airspeed270km/h
Flight chamberup to 16 m
FootprintSized per project
Engineering drawing of the Glide 4.0 closed-loop inclined wind tunnel circuit, isometric and plan views
Designed for
  • Extended-airtime training for licensed pilots
  • National teams and structured proflyer progression
  • Programmes prioritising continuous circulating flight over antechamber turnaround

The Extended Glide Ratio 4.0 option lengthens the flight chamber to 16 m and raises the achievable glide ratio to 4.0. The circuit closes into a continuous loop, drawn on its own sheet in the Banana WS documentation.

Indicative engineering envelope, not a catalogue specification. Final chamber geometry, angle, power configuration and options are confirmed during project engineering.

Technical specification

The complete engineering datasheet

Full dimensional, power and flight-chamber specification for the Banana WS single-loop configuration.

EVG
Axial fansØ3.5 m, low-rpm, with carbon-fibre composite blades
Max. speed
270 km/h
standard configuration
Chamber glass
54 mm
chemically strengthened, 3-layer, non-shattering
Noise emissions
60 dB(A)
Xtra Silent package, 140 km/h, 1 m from the glass

Flight chamber12 mextended to 16 m with Glide 4.0

Cutaway render of the Banana WS single-loop circuit: fan section, air ducts, turning vanes and the inclined flight chamber
Average power consumption
≈320 kW
at 150 km/h
Power capacity
1,600 kW
4 × 400 kW motors
Technology height
21.5 m
plus 8 m optimal underground
Footprint
900 m²
30.5 × 29.5 m
  • FRP air ducts — streamlined noise-absorbing composite with an additional honeycomb layer
  • 2× waiting zones — for professional and beginner fliers
  • Cooling through the hollow turning vanes as standard — no turbulence, no flow penalty

General specification

Dimensions (L / W / H)
30.5 / 29.5 / 21.5 mSingle-loop configuration.
Power capacity
1,600 kW4 × 400 kW motors. Advanced Power 2,000 kW and Beast Mode 2,520 kW available.
Max. speed
Standard 270 km/hAdvanced 280 km/h, Beast Mode 300 km/h.
Noise emissions (estimated)
60 dB(A)With the Xtra Silent package, @ 140 km/h, 1 m from the glass.
Average power consumption (estimated)
320 kW@ 150 km/h.
Cooling capacity (recommended)
1,200 kWChiller electric capacity ≈400 kW.
Glide ratios
1.25–3.0Extended Glide Ratio option: 4.0.
Optimal underground depth
8 mBelow flight-chamber level — drives the excavation allowance in early site planning.

Flight chamber

Flight chamber (inner dimensions)
5 × 4 m
Flight area
20 m²Perpendicular to the airflow.
Flight chamber length
12 mExtended option: 16 m.
Glass type
Chemically strengthened, 3-layer, non-shattering, 54 mmDoesn't shatter in case of cracks, unlike tempered glass.
Safety net
With near-wall deflection
Staging room
2× with pressurising airlockFor higher and lower glide ratios, equipped with automated doors.

Core technology

Every component specified for continuous, high-utilisation operation

The fans, ducts and controls behind the Banana WS circuit are the same core technology already operating in TunnelTech's vertical TT-PRO tunnels.

EVG Lufttechnik axial fans
Low-rpm, Ø3.5 m, 4×Located in the return airduct, at maximum distance from the flight chamber.
Fan blades
Carbon fibreSuperior energy efficiency compared with any metal blade.
Fan sensors
Vibration, airspeed, pressure (S&D), temperatureFor preventive maintenance.
Fan lubrication
AutomaticMinimises maintenance.
VFD input voltage
380–415 / 480 / 690 VHigher voltages may be charged additionally.
Turning vanes
X-large, 50 cm airfoilChord-to-spacing ratio 3:1+ for maximum energy efficiency.
Air ducts
Streamlined FRPImproved aerodynamics, energy efficiency and reduced noise.
Vibration control
200+ 3D dampers
Twin axial fans installed inside a TunnelTech wind tunnel duct, built by EVG Lufttechnik

TunnelTech + EVG Lufttechnik

Wind-tunnel engineering backed by industrial fan manufacturing

TunnelTech is a shareholder in EVG Lufttechnik GmbH, our long-standing strategic partner. EVG has worked in industrial fan engineering since 1977 and has manufactured axial fans since 1987.

Since 1977Industrial fan engineering
Since 1987Axial fan manufacturing
StuttgartEngineering and production

Options & upgrades

Configure the platform to your programme

Standard upgrade path

  • Assembly by TT engineersProfessional rope-access installation team — streamlines the process and minimises expenses and risk.
  • Robotic arm safety deviceOptional high-speed recovery system for the flight chamber.
  • Advanced Power — 280 km/hUpgraded drive power for a higher top airspeed.
  • Beast Mode — 300 km/hMaximum drive power configuration.
  • Passive noise cancellationIncluded as standard.
  • Integrated Active CoolingIncluded as standard. Evenly cools the whole volume of circulating air through the hollow turning vanes, with no turbulence or flow penalty — external water chillers and building piping are not included.
  • Photo & video systemComplete multi-cam hardware and software for HiRes photo and video production — an additional revenue and marketing tool for events and competitions.
  • ERP & booking systemIT tools for flawless operations, from clients and staff to management and investors.

Project-specific options

  • Harmonic filtersReduce peak load on the electric network — may be required by the power supplier.
  • Extended Glide Ratio 4.0Flight chamber extension up to 16 m.
  • Advanced control tablePrecision-machined metal control unit — a motorised version is available.
  • LED stripsBetween the flight-chamber glass panels.
  • Service lightsIntegrated lighting in all service areas.
  • Service floorsAround the fans, air-jet and upper airduct level — required for safe maintenance access.

Support & warranty

Built for a ten-year operating life

Spare parts
Glass panelEliminates delay from damage during installation.
Hardware controls
Main desk + flight-chamber knob
Remote control
Wireless tabletFull functionality of the main control desk.
Support
24/7 telemetry monitoringBy TunnelTech's support team; may be disconnected on customer request if safety concerns are raised.
Warranty
3 yearsFrom technical launch.
Expected lifetime
10+ years
Fan bearing expected lifetime
40,000 hoursManufacturer-declared, under normal running conditions.

Scope of supply

What's in the package, and what your local team provides

The Banana WS package is royalty-free and delivered FOB — you pick up at your nearest international seaport. TunnelTech manages logistics, packaging and domestic transport of the equipment.

Included

  • Project preparation
  • FOB shipping & logistics management
  • Installation supervision
  • Staff training
  • Core equipment — fans & motors, air ducts & diffusers, turning vanes, flight chamber & safety net, antechamber & airlock, ventilation louvers
  • Electronic equipment — VFDs & logic controllers, dashboard & remote controls, automation equipment, climate controls, server & sensor equipment
  • Specialised maintenance tools & documentation

Not included

  • Concrete & load-bearing structure (drawings provided by TunnelTech; finalised by your local engineer)
  • Electrical utility systems — transformers, internal cabling, network equipment
  • Chillers, piping & HVAC (piping requirements provided if the active-cooling option is taken)
  • Accommodation & transport for TunnelTech personnel
  • Site handling & unloading
  • Heavy machinery — cranes, forklifts, lifting tools
  • Legal expenses, taxes & customs
  • Fasteners, drainage, interior works & translation costs
  • Substation-to-VFD cabling and VFD-to-fan disconnect cables
  • Service ladders, flooring and access paths to the motor compartment and other service areas
  • TV screens, computers and office equipment — unless supplied for tunnel controls, booking or the photo & video system
  • Harmonic filters — can be purchased and delivered on your behalf

Shipped in roughly 44 standard containers (34× 40 ft high-cube, 10× 40 ft) — a useful reference point for freight planning.

Single-point project responsibility

From site concept to first flight

  1. 1

    Site & concept engineering

    Building integration, circuit orientation and sizing against your site constraints — project provision runs roughly four months.

  2. 2

    Aerodynamic & structural design

    Chamber geometry, fan selection, glass and duct engineering for the Banana WS or Glide 4.0 layout.

  3. 3

    Manufacturing

    Fans, ducting, glass and controls fabricated in Stuttgart — roughly nine months from order confirmation.

  4. 4

    FOB shipping & logistics

    TunnelTech manages packaging and freight to your nearest international seaport.

  5. 5

    Installation & commissioning

    On-site assembly, systems start-up and acceptance testing — roughly four months on site.

  6. 6

    Training & operational handover

    Instructor and technical staff training before the facility opens to customers.

About seventeen months from contract to first flight: roughly four months of project provision, nine of equipment production and four on site. Placing the order immediately after contract signing shortens production; construction permits and local approvals sit with your side. Project preparation, installation supervision and staff training are included — single-point responsibility from concept to first flight.

One investment, two markets

One flight chamber. Two disciplines. Two customer bases.

The Banana WS chamber wasn't built around a single sport. The same curved glass circuit, overhead safety rigging and coaching infrastructure that train wingsuit pilots train ski jumpers just as directly — and for an operator, that isn't an incidental feature. It's a second addressable training market and a second revenue stream from one capital investment, not two separate builds.

A ski jumper in the aerial flight position inside the Banana WS flight chamber, seen from behind with skis in the V-style
Discipline 01Wingsuit flight

First-time flyers, VR customers, licensed sport pilots and national teams — the primary audience this platform is built around.

Discipline 02Ski jumping — aerial phase

National ski federations and academies training take-off position and flight symmetry, year-round, independent of snow season.

A jumper flies in full ski-jump kit, suspended from an overhead safety line, while a coach reviews body position from the viewing deck and camera footage is captured for frame-by-frame review — the same real-time coaching approach used throughout the facility.

Ski jumper flying inside the inclined flight chamber while a coaching team reviews footage from a viewing platform
Wide view of the inclined wind tunnel structure with a ski jumper in flight, filmed by a videographer on the stairs

Concept renderings only. Shown here as an illustration of the training configuration, not a built installation.

Start with your site

Tell us about your building and your market.

Our engineering team will translate your site constraints and target audience into an initial Banana WS facility concept.

Discuss your wingsuit tunnel project