Perry Sighting
Nov 8, 2007 16:11:25 GMT -5
Post by arden on Nov 8, 2007 16:11:25 GMT -5
www.fayobserver.com/article?id=277205
Hinder bandmates catch air in new wind tunnel
By Hilary Kraus
Staff writer
The Oklahoma City-based band Hinder was blown away in the Cape Fear region Wednesday afternoon.
But then again, being placed inside a vertical wind tunnel where winds can reach 185 mph is a rush few rock musicians have experienced.
“It was very, very fun, but I wasn’t very good at it,” said Hinder’s lead singer, Austin Winkler.
The band members, who later performed at the Crown Coliseum, were among a small group of guests invited to “fly” inside the wind tunnel in Hoke County.
The $9 million tunnel, visible to motorists traveling on U.S. 401, is scheduled to open Dec. 1.
Papa Roach, the opening act for Hinder, also was invited to participate as part of a promotion by radio station WRCQ-FM, Rock 103.
Band members, along with two contest winners, signed a liability waiver before they were given a quick lesson by instructors from the International BodyFlight Association.
For those who caught on quickly, it was up, up and away. Others dipped and bobbed around in the circular tube while spectators watched.
“It was probably the most intense thing I have ever done,” said Hinder guitarist Joe “Blower” Garvey. “That was pretty crazy.
“I was a little scared because I’m nervous of heights, but it really wasn’t that bad. But I don’t think I’ll be doing that out of a plane.”
The free-flying facility is the world’s biggest vertical wind tunnel —at 60 feet tall and 16 feet wide. By comparison, a skydiving training tunnel on Fort Bragg is 20 feet tall and 14 feet wide.
It’s not advertised as an amusement ride, but rather a place where people can experience flying or train for skydiving.
The wind tunnel has been operating for about a month for instructor training and evaluations.
But the tunnel already is becoming a destination spot because of curiosity.
Owner Tim D’Annunzio said 1980s rocker Steve Perry of Journey was driving past the building last week and stopped in. He was with his daughter, who lives in the region, and his grandchildren.
D’Annunzio said Perry did not climb into the wind tunnel because he’s recovering from an injury.
The young rockers in Hinder and Papa Roach couldn’t get enough of it, staying more than an hour.
“It’s a lot harder than it looks,” Winkler said. “Id like to be as good as those guys (the instructors.)”
Hinder bandmates catch air in new wind tunnel
By Hilary Kraus
Staff writer
The Oklahoma City-based band Hinder was blown away in the Cape Fear region Wednesday afternoon.
But then again, being placed inside a vertical wind tunnel where winds can reach 185 mph is a rush few rock musicians have experienced.
“It was very, very fun, but I wasn’t very good at it,” said Hinder’s lead singer, Austin Winkler.
The band members, who later performed at the Crown Coliseum, were among a small group of guests invited to “fly” inside the wind tunnel in Hoke County.
The $9 million tunnel, visible to motorists traveling on U.S. 401, is scheduled to open Dec. 1.
Papa Roach, the opening act for Hinder, also was invited to participate as part of a promotion by radio station WRCQ-FM, Rock 103.
Band members, along with two contest winners, signed a liability waiver before they were given a quick lesson by instructors from the International BodyFlight Association.
For those who caught on quickly, it was up, up and away. Others dipped and bobbed around in the circular tube while spectators watched.
“It was probably the most intense thing I have ever done,” said Hinder guitarist Joe “Blower” Garvey. “That was pretty crazy.
“I was a little scared because I’m nervous of heights, but it really wasn’t that bad. But I don’t think I’ll be doing that out of a plane.”
The free-flying facility is the world’s biggest vertical wind tunnel —at 60 feet tall and 16 feet wide. By comparison, a skydiving training tunnel on Fort Bragg is 20 feet tall and 14 feet wide.
It’s not advertised as an amusement ride, but rather a place where people can experience flying or train for skydiving.
The wind tunnel has been operating for about a month for instructor training and evaluations.
But the tunnel already is becoming a destination spot because of curiosity.
Owner Tim D’Annunzio said 1980s rocker Steve Perry of Journey was driving past the building last week and stopped in. He was with his daughter, who lives in the region, and his grandchildren.
D’Annunzio said Perry did not climb into the wind tunnel because he’s recovering from an injury.
The young rockers in Hinder and Papa Roach couldn’t get enough of it, staying more than an hour.
“It’s a lot harder than it looks,” Winkler said. “Id like to be as good as those guys (the instructors.)”
