Peter Zaoralek is bringing human flight technology to the Pacific Northwest, which will allow participants to fly without wings, a jet pack or superpowers.

The Saanich resident recently announced plans for his new business, I Fly Vancouver, which will essentially be a 50-foot-tall, upright wind tunnel that will simulate flight.

"I was in Germany when I first saw the (free fall simulator) approximately 10 or 11 years ago. I came across it, I tried it and I was immediately bitten by the bug," he said. "It's an amazing sensation to be able to fly your body in a controlled environment."

Since that time, Zaoralek has travelled to 10 other free fall simulators around the world to train for and research the experience, to eventually bring it closer to home.

He said he's been looking seriously at opening a simulator in B.C. for the last three years, and he's thrilled to see his dream finally coming to fruition.

"I've spent the last 10 years watching the evolution of the sport. And it wasn't until recently that new technology came into play and I decided to really pursue this," he said. "Now you can build this in any city because the new technology makes them very quiet and very efficient."

And that's exactly what he's doing. Zaoralek has secured land in Richmond, across from the River Rock Casino and right at the foot of the new central Bridgeport Canada Line SkyTrain station.

The technology the Saanich resident plans to bring to the Lower Mainland is relatively new and state-of-the-art, when it comes to indoor flight.

The sustained lift will be provided by two recirculating wind tunnels on the outside of the building complete with downstream fans that draw air through to the five-storey centre chamber (where the flyer will experience flight).

"A lot of the older technologies would push the air through propellors, creating a lot turbulence," he said, adding that the new technology is relatively maintenance free because of the limited moving parts.

When the business opens, ideally in late 2010 or early 2011, the flight simulation can be used by anyone three years and older.

"I'm not a skydiver, so the reason I've really embraced this technology is because I see so many people that would never skydive. And also to be able to have children and families go in and actually have that experience in a controlled environment, it's amazing to see their excitement," he said.

Each flight will last around three minutes, which is equivalent to the amount of free fall time in four to six skydives, said Zaoralek. Instructors will work one-on-one with participants to help them sustain flight.

"They hold you down and teach you about body control. And once you learn to control your body and you're in a stable position ... the learning curve goes up dramatically. That's when you have the most fun."

Each session will run about an hour, and will also include a training session and flight gear fitting.

Zaoralek, a residential builder, said he's taking advantage of the economic downturn to build a facility that he hopes will draw tourists, residents, thrill-seekers and military training.

"I'm now feeling that we can truly build one of the best in the world. And as a builder, I've slowed down with work this year, so I really feel like now's a great opportunity to get going with something this unique," Zaoralek said. "I've worked on this for years to get to this point, so to actually have it out there, it's a really great reality check."

For more information on I Fly Vancouver, visit www.bodyflightcanada.com

kslavin@saanichnews.com