Airflow Controller
Overview
An airflow controller must demonstrate that they can control the airflow, identify unsafe situations, communicate with the tunnel instructor and be able to manage time.
Pre-requisites
Being able to control the wind tunnel airflow is a key component to the daily running of a facility and requires well trained and focused individuals. Although you do not have to be an instructor to be an airflow controller, the training to complete the checkbox is thorough and requires individuals to pinpoint their attention during flight operations. It is recommended that airflow controllers are at least 16 years of age.
Objectives
The primary objective is for you to be able to control the wind tunnel airflow during normal operations with customers flying. You must also possess the knowledge and demonstrate the correct procedures when encountering abnormal operations. Most often as part of a standard daily working rotation, instructors will serve their time controlling the wind speed, but there are many times and certain facility types that see the need for non-instructor staff members to fill this role.
Preparation
Understanding how the basics of body flight will be a huge asset for you prior to learning the skill of controlling the airflow. Understanding what variables will alter the speed of the wind based upon a students position or the size of the jumpsuit that they are wearing. Communication methods will take some time to master, especially with different instructors, so learning how to communicate wind speed changes, basic converation regarding flight time and other basic requests early on will assist in learning how to be a safe controller. Managing time and operating the flight control system panel along with the media systems will all be part of your learning and managing your efforts and time between each aspect will be a key component to your sign off.