Dave McMahan is fearless. Always has been. And as the head of business development for Vegas Indoor Skydiving, the first indoor skydiving facility in the U.S., he gets to play with what he calls “the coolest toy ever.”
Earplugs are necessary when watching McMahan climb into the wind tunnel that holds the propeller from a DC-3 airplane and subsequently float in the air. It’s quite loud once turned on full blast, creating winds up to 120 mph.
Fearless comes with the territory, as many VIS employees have clocked too many flights in the tunnel to even count. “Here, it simulates the free fall aspect of skydiving,” McMahan said. “It’s two different things that are exactly the same—skydiving is a lot of preparation, a lot of commitment, as opposed to this.”
McMahan has been working as an instructor since 1998. He briefly left to pursue his rock ’n’ roll dream, playing drums in a local band, Clockwise. “The two main passions in my life: music and flying,” said the Las Vegas native. While the drumsticks have been put away, McMahan couldn’t be happier at VIS. “I get to meet people from every corner of the world working here. I learn so much about cultures. I get to see every shape, size and accent in the world.”
His second favorite part of working at VIS: “I really enjoy taking (the disabled) in there,” he said. “Wounded warriors, vets, it brings joy to them; it changes their life.”
Vegas Indoor Skydiving mementos
VIS brings joy to McMahan’s life, too. “Laughter is the only thing that will make this world right. And everyone that works here is funny, goofy, open and welcoming,” he said. “Coming here to fly, interacting with us, it’s one party, something people won’t forget. It makes any Vegas trip unforgettable.”
Vegas Indoor Skydiving mementos
Don’t leave without a memento from your time at Vegas Indoor Skydiving. After the nearly two-hour experience at the venue, which includes a 20-minute educational class on how to handle flying in the wind tunnel, guests can take a piece of the party home. Choose from baseball caps, coffee mugs, shot glasses, water bottles, T-shirts, hoodies and more. You can also capture your moment inside the wind tunnel by purchasing photos or a DVD of your flight.
