posted Aug 12th, 2005 - The second part of the NSL News visit at SkyVenture Arizona brings the interview with three Airspeed Velocity members, Neal Houston, Andy Honigbaum and Dennis Rook. They took the time to meet with the NSL News in the morning, fly in the tunnel with Pete Allum as the fourth member and demonstrate how to train the whole dive pool in the new SkyVenture tunnel.

They also took the time after the flying session to provide additional information in an interview with the NSL News. The whole team had to leave Arizona the same day in the afternoon to travel to the World Freefall Convention for coaching and load organizing work.

NSL News: I thought that Pete Allum joined the Italian team. Why did you replace Kirk with Pete?

Neal Houston: His flashing was weak, he is too slow and brainlocks a lot (everybody laughs). Seriously, Kirk is working to train a group of special operations soldiers today.

NSL News: The SkyVenture Arizona wind tunnel seems to come at the right time for Airspeed, did you have to change your training plans?

Neal Houston: We cut down our actual jumping to train more in the tunnel.

NSL News: How much time have you spent in the new tunnel so far?

Neal Houston: Five hours this week. The tunnel has been open ealier for the training of the tunnel instructors, and we have been in there with some other teams before.

NSL News: You guys know the SkyVenture Orlando tunnel in and out. What are the major differences?

Neal Houston: Size obviously. In some places it is close to three feet bigger.

Andy Honigbaum: It is nice to not think much about where the formation sits. We can just build it and go.

Neal Houston: It is very powerful and efficient.

Andy Honigbaum: The outside wind conditions do not affect the tunnel wind because of the hole in the ground. The inlet sits underneath the ground level.

NSL News: I have seen you train the whole dive pool with Pete, are there any limitations?

Dennis Rook: The straight technique of Block 1, that's it.

NSL News: These days, exit and subterminal page seem to become more crucial than ever before. How do you deal with that?

Neal Houston: I would disagree with that. DeLand Majik was not as fast as Airspeed on the hill, but they beat us.

Dennis Rook: We are still planning on doing low altidue jumps with only exits and subterminal work, 25 jumps a day.

Neal Houston: Since tunnel teams put less emphasis on exit and subterminal work and more emphasis on the pages after that, it is even more about how they do on the flat wind. I still think the exits are important. However, most teams have not put that much focus on the exits, possibly with the exception of Fastrax...

Andy Honigbaum: ...and the Golden Knights.

NSL News: Are these the teams you see as the top contenders because of the extra training?

Dennis Rook: There are six contenders this year.

Neal Houston: Based on the Malevsky Cup, DeLand Fire has an inch...

Andy Honigbaum: ...and the Golden Knights probably, as well.

NSL News: The Golden Knights bring back their top guns for 8-way. Do you see them as a threat in 8-way?

Neal Houston: You should never underestimate anybody.

NSL News: Three of the six top 4-way contenders are doing 8-way, as well. Can you train 8-way in the North Carolina tunnel or here?

Dennis Rook: It is easier in North Carolina.

Andy Honigbaum: It is almost the same though, we can do a lot here.

NSL News: How much specific 8-way exercises are you doing in the tunnel, how much 4-way?

Dennis Rook: Almost 100% 4-way, that is because the two teams are hardly ever together.

NSL News: Where is Odyssey today?

Andy Honigbaum: They organize the first half of the Freefall Convention. We do the second half and fly out there today.

NSL News: Do you have only Airspeed 4-way and 8-way training on the agenda from here to the USPA Nationals after the reunion, or are there more other work commitments?

Dennis Rook: It will be Airspeed only for two full weeks, plus as much tunnel time as we can get.

NSL News: Can't you run it for 24 hours? Are there any limitations?

Neal Houston: There are no limitations except the physical ones. We can only fly for an hour with full steam and go through the whole dive pool. After a point it gets worthless. At the same time, it seems to be a new way of conditioning ourselves physically.

Andy Honigbaum: I feel physically better and stronger by the end of a training week. Stretching and the gym are still on the training agenda.

NSL News: How do you think the tunnel will change the general concept of 4-way training for teams you are coaching?

Andy Honigbaum: Jumping will still be important. Jumping from a plane is mentally very different. The stress of the actual jump cannot be imitated. Skydiving during the day, and tunnel training in the evening will be very valuable.

Neal Houston: As good as it gets, the tunnel training is still only a tool. However, there have been a lot of kids here, they are the future.

Andy Honigbaum: Kids can process amazing amounts of information.

Neal Houston: There is not much to do for kids and teenagers in this area. We will try to offer something for them.

NSL News: Thank you very much for the interview, Neal, Dennis, Andy.