Hangfast constructs Europe’s first adrenaline-fuelled Flight Tower

AN investment of £250,000 will see Hangfast Adventure Engineering’s instalation of Europe’s first Flight Tower in Lancaster.

The new facility will test the nerves of adrenaline-junkies as they leap from ‘The Drop’, a 21-metre apex, when it opens in mid-December.

Based at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre as part of a £5m regeneration project co-ordinated by Alliance Leisure, Gravity will give visitors the opportunity to abseil, zip line or free-fall and experience a diverse range of thrills.

Since exhibiting at the Euro Attraction Show (EAS) in Barcelona in September, Gravity has already gained interest from four or five different schemes.

Center Parcs, other local authorities and even the Oman Tourist Board have enquired about installing a flight tower to entertain their visitors.

The steel structure, which weighs over nine tonnes, is accessible for all abilities, meaning adults and children over four-years-old can enjoy it.

Clients can opt to use different add-ons with Gravity so the product price ranges from £250,000 to £350,000.

John Beers, founder of Hangfast, said: “We wanted to combine all the different products into one structure.

“The tower is modular in its design and we can take this product anywhere, to any country.

“The model itself, the design, can be take anywhere.”

The company specialises not only in construction but consultancy, working with organisations to discuss their needs and adapting the product to meet them.

This installation is part of a wider craze which has seen the interest in adrenaline-packed sports take off.

Beers added: “This product is the only one of its type that is adrenaline-fuelled.

“Similar activities can be done on a regular basis but this is the only one where you can experience a bit more of a theme park attraction product.

Different to bungee-jumping products, the harness lowers the user fully to the ground.

“The device is a little bit like a seatbelt but these don’t lock.

“They let you drop at a free-fall speed then towards half way it will slow you down gradually and eventually you can put your feet down and walk away.”

The new installation is expected to create up to six jobs as additionally supervisors will be trained to use the product and help visitors enjoy their experience as fully as possible.

Hangfast was founded by Beers in 2001 when he decided to go self-employed.

Now he employs a team of 25 staff and last year had a turnover of £2.7m.

The firm creates other adventure products including the XHeight wall, artificial caves and high rope courses.

As part of the regeneration project of Salt Ayre Leisure Centre, Hangfast has also created an indoor climbing wall for the facility.

To officially open to the Gravity Flight Tower, the centre will be embracing festivities by inviting Santa Claus to take the first dive.