Technical Specifications & Documentation L1 Stationary Vertical Wind Tunnel

The following technical information presented is considered "general information". Sensitive information about the design & construction of the L1 Vertical Wind Tunnel will be released to Pre-Qualified Buyers after signing a Nondisclosure Agreement with Vertical Wind Tunnel Corporation.

Site Size in Feet: approx 110 - 170L X 50W X 20T The overall shape of the site is rectangular, and the tunnel itself can be mostly buried. Length varies depending on the configuration you choose for your application.
Air Column Nozzle: 12.8 foot diameter Expansion of the column has been officially measured at 13 feet Motor & Control Systems Manufactured by General Electric 5 year Warrantee Included from GE Custom Order- Lead Time 12 months

More Specifications

Airspeed Readings (Averages)550 rpms = 110 mph
575 rpms = 115 mph
600 rpms = 120 mph (our most commonly requested speed)
650 rpms = 125 mph
675 rpms = 128 mph
700 rpms = TBA
720 rpms Max RPMs = TBA/+-140 mph expected
Average airspeeds must be calculated as the temperature & density of the outside air can dramatically affect the air column in regards to speed.

Power Specifiations

Power Consumption
550 rpms = 45.1 % 
575 rpms = 50.6 % (Half Power)
600 rpms = 57.1 %
650 rpms = 66 %
675 rpms = 70%
700 rpms = TBA
720 rpms Max RPMs = TBA/+-140 mph expected

Available in a variety of configurations

Diameter- Diameters range from 1 to 16 feet
Airspeed- Speeds greater than 135 m.p.h. are attainable
Power Source- A variety of power sources can be used in lieu of the the Electric Motor used with the working prototype tunnel, including diesel engines or surplus equipment.
Construction- L-1 can be produced from wood, fiberglass or steel if preferred, however additional engineering will be required to outfit the installation in this way. The current prototype utilizes steel, concrete & fiberglass in it's construction.
Maintenance- L-1 wind tunnels are considered virtually maintenance free, built for running 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. During construction of the prototype, forms and tooling were produced to make the fiberglass parts. Detailed plans were prepared for every part assuring accurate, stable reproduction.
Options/Features- There were several options built into the design that you may utilize on your project. Built in lighting, theatrical lighting, audio systems, access doors, spectator seating, and video systems for example.
Hybrid or Outdoor- Our prototype is configured as an outdoor unit with an open jet, your L-1 can be configured as an Hybrid VWT exhausting it's air through a hole in the roof. Additionally, the jet can be enclosed in a transparent tube of Lexan or comparable materials.

Sound/Noise Specifications

Sound Measurements
Exit from 35 ft away:
-500 rpms under 80 db
-650 rpms under 95 db
Exit from 2 ft away:
-500 rpms 110db
-650 rpms 115db
Inside Motor Room:
-500 rpms 90db peak/80db average
-650 rpms 90db peak/85db average
Spectator Area: 66 ft away
-500 rpms 78 db
-650 rpms 83 db (quiet enough to carry on a cellphone conversation)

L1 Cost Analysis

Because L1 is not a franchise, VWTC requires only a 1 time payment at the time of Purchase Agreement.

Site License-($1,000,000 paid directly to VWTC at time of agreement.) This grants you permission to build & operate a VWTC L1. You are provided access to all necessary blueprints & technical papers required to construct the tunnel.  Our Lead Engineer will oversee and assist with the construction of your facility and is available to you to make the necessary modifications that will make your facility a unique part of your corporate identity.

Construction & Labor - ($1.5 - $3,000,000+paid directly to your own contractors, engineers & crew throughout construction these amounts are paid to your own crew of contractors.) This is an ideal way for you to control costs & truly create a unique facility catered to your own needs. It is estimated at this time that duplication of our current prototype in a similar location, would cost approximately $2 million dollars; there are more than a variety of ways where you can save money or even accumulate more costs through modifications made to the original unit. Additionally it is vital to note that materials such as steel & concrete vary in price frequently reflecting the condition of the economy and/or the geographic location of the construction project.

Efficientcy Specifications

Efficiency is the measure of how much energy goes in, compared to the work that is done. To a VWT operator it is how much fuel is used to produce the jet (flight area). A wider or faster jet has more energy and so requires more power to produce. Basically, if the jet has 1000 kW of energy, and the VWT is 70 % efficient, a 1300 kW motor is required. A less efficient VWT will require a larger motor and so costs more to operate per hour. This L-1 is at it's highest efficiency at it's design speed of 120 MPH, which is more than adequate for flyers at all stages. L1 can be adjusted to optimal efficiency at other airspeeds depending on your application.