Flying roller coaster

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Flying roller coaster
Manta-SWO-Water.jpg
Manta, a flying coaster at SeaWorld Orlando
StatusIn production
First manufactured1997
No. of installations26
Manufacturers Bolliger & Mabillard (2002-), Vekoma (2000-), Zamperla (2002-)
Restraint StyleOver-the-shoulder (most common style)

A flying roller coaster is a type of roller coaster meant to simulate the sensations of flight by harnessing riders in a prone position during the duration of the ride. The roller coaster cars are suspended below the track, with riders secured such that their backs are parallel to the track.[ citation needed ]

Contents

History

The flying roller coaster is a relatively new concept. The world's first flying roller coaster was Skytrak , built in Manchester, United Kingdom at the Granada Studios Tour in 1997. [1] The Skytrak used a single-passenger car. Riders would climb into the car in much the same fashion as climbing a ladder, then the car would be raised up to the track before being dispatched. The single-passenger design kept the ride's capacity low, at only 240 riders per hour. [1] The park, and Skytrak itself, were short-lived; both closed in 1998.

Design

Vekoma

Coaster train on the now-defunct Firehawk at Kings Island in reclined position prior to leaving station. The train's direction of travel is to the right. VekomaFlyer.jpg
Coaster train on the now-defunct Firehawk at Kings Island in reclined position prior to leaving station. The train's direction of travel is to the right.

Dutch roller coaster manufacturer Vekoma constructed the first large-scale flying roller coaster, Stealth , for California's Great America in 2000. Nicknamed the 'Flying Dutchman' by Vekoma, Stealth featured a higher-capacity train with four-across seating. Riders load the trains in an upright sitting position, facing the rear of the train. After the train is fully loaded, a mechanism in the station lower the seats to the track, with the riders on their backs facing the ceiling. After cresting the lift hill, the track twists 180 degrees to flip the riders into the flying position for the rest of the ride. Just prior to reaching the roller coaster's final brake run, the track twists again, such that riders are lying on their backs facing upward. After reaching the station, the seats are raised back to loading position.

Diagram showing the difference between a Vekoma Flying Dutchman and Bolliger & Mabillard Flying roller coaster Flyingrollercoaster.jpg
Diagram showing the difference between a Vekoma Flying Dutchman and Bolliger & Mabillard Flying roller coaster

The harness system for the Vekoma flying roller coaster consists of two main elements: the lap bar and the chest harness. After being seated, the operator pulls down the lap bar, which is hinged on the floor of the train. The bar locks into slots in the sides of the seat and secures the waist. Halfway up the bar is a pair of leg restraints, which hold the legs in place during the ride. The rider then fastens the buckles to close the chest harness and secure the upper body. Hand grips are placed at the ends of the arm rests of each seat.

Vekoma would expand upon the 'Flying Dutchman' prototype with two other installations in 2001, Batwing for Six Flags America and X-Flight for Geauga Lake. Of the three Vekoma Flying Dutchmans, only Batwing remains operating. Stealth was relocated to Carowinds where it operated as BORG Assimilator from 2004 to 2007, and later as Nighthawk until its closure in 2024, while X-Flight operated at Kings Island as Firehawk until its closure on October 28, 2018.

In 2009, Vekoma debuted a new, more compact flying roller coaster model nicknamed the 'Stingray' which used the same seating configuration as the original Flying Dutchman, but with Vekoma's new track style as well as a vertical lift hill. Its first installation is at the Suzhou Giant Wheel Park in Suzhou, China, which opened on August 18, 2009. The ride was removed in 2018. [2]

In 2014, Phantasialand in Brühl, Germany contracted Vekoma to design and build a new flying roller coaster to be the center piece of a new immersive themed area of the park which would also include the park's third hotel. Noting previous design limitations and issues with other flying coaster models, particularly in regard to capacity as loading procedures were slow and complex. Phantasialand pursued two objectives for the design of their new flying coaster; a simplified and streamlined loading process, and custom layout designed to fit in the limited space (100m by 75m) available as well as height restrictions imposed upon the park. Vekoma spent the next few years designing and testing a prototype system at its factory in Vlodrop, with construction on the new coaster beginning in 2016 and finishing in 2019. In 2019, Phantasialand began a teaser campaign for the new coaster, announcing the name F.L.Y. (Flying Launch Coaster). On September 17, 2020, F.L.Y. officially opened to the public.

F.L.Y. features a completely brand new loading procedure never before seen on any flying coaster model. Upon entering the station, the track and trains rotate from a prone position 90 degrees onto the side, while the seats, which are two abreast, rotate at the same time so that the passengers move from a prone "flying" position to an upright position. The passengers load into a standard seated position and pull down the over-the-shoulder vest harness. Once secure, the train is dispatched out of the station and proceeds in the upright position through a short dark ride section before the track, train, and seats rotate into the prone flying position. [3]

In addition to the new loading procedure, F.L.Y. is also the first flying roller coaster to utilize a launch system rather than a lift system. F.L.Y. features two separate LSM launches that launches trains up to a top speed of 48.5 mph (78.1 km/h) over 4,055.1 feet (1,236.0 m) of track making it the world's longest flying coaster. [4]

Since opening, F.L.Y. has been met with overwhelmingly positive reception for its innovative design, riding experience, operations, capacity, and theming that have won the coaster several industry awards.

Vekoma's flying roller coasters have a 54-inch minimum-height requirement.

Bolliger & Mabillard

Galactica (Air from 2002 to 2015) at Alton Towers, Bolliger & Mabillard's first flying coaster Air (Alton Towers) 01.jpg
Galactica (Air from 2002 to 2015) at Alton Towers, Bolliger & Mabillard's first flying coaster

Swiss manufacturer B&M debuted their flying coaster model Air in 2002, jointly developed with ride designer John Wardley. Riders take a seating position like on a regular inverted coaster with a chest harness and leglocks. They are then tilted 90° so they assume a frontwards lying position

Zamperla

A Zamperla flying coaster, Soarin' Eagle, when it operated as Flying Coaster at Elitch Gardens TheFlyingCoaster.jpg
A Zamperla flying coaster, Soarin' Eagle, when it operated as Flying Coaster at Elitch Gardens

Italy's Zamperla produces a flying roller coaster model dubbed 'Volare' (Italian for "to fly"). Riders lie down in the cars, which hang from an upper rail at a 45-degree angle. The car is then lifted up into a flying position while holding the riders inside. This model is very compact and affordable (estimated to be US$6 million) and comes with a unique spiral lift hill in which a tall spinning column with two vertical poles connected to it push the cars up the spiral track. The minimum rider height requirement is 50 inches (127 cm).

The first Volare debuted as a prototype in 2002 as Flying Coaster at Elitch Gardens, where it operated until 2007. It faced numerous technical issues that were corrected on subsequent models produced by Zamperla. After closing, Flying Coaster was returned to Zamperla, where it was refurbished and installed at Coney Island as Soarin' Eagle.

Installations

A former Vekoma flying roller coaster, X-Flight formerly at Geauga Lake GL-X-Flight.jpg
A former Vekoma flying roller coaster, X-Flight formerly at Geauga Lake
A Bolliger & Mabillard roller coaster, Superman: Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Over Georgia Superman- Ultimate Flight.jpg
A Bolliger & Mabillard roller coaster, Superman: Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Over Georgia
A Vekoma launched flying roller coaster, F.L.Y. at Phantasialand FLY-Phantasialand-1.jpg
A Vekoma launched flying roller coaster, F.L.Y. at Phantasialand
NameParkManufacturerOpenedStatusRef(s)
SkytrakGranada StudiosSkytrak International1997Removed [5]
KometEncounter ZoneSelect Contracts1998Removed [6]
Batwing Six Flags America Vekoma 2001Operating [7]
Galactica
Formerly Air		 Alton Towers Bolliger & Mabillard 2002Operating [8]
Superman: Ultimate Flight Six Flags Over Georgia Bolliger & Mabillard 2002Operating [9]
Superman: Ultimate Flight Six Flags Great Adventure Bolliger & Mabillard 2003Operating [10]
Superman: Ultimate Flight Six Flags Great America Bolliger & Mabillard 2003Operating [11]
HexenbesenErlebniswelt Seilbahnen ThaleWiegand2003Operating [12]
Nighthawk
Formerly BORG Assimilator
Formerly Stealth		 Carowinds
California's Great America 		Vekoma

2004
2000		Removed
Closed 2003		 [13] [14]
Super Flight Playland Zamperla 2004Removed [15]
Time Warp Canada's Wonderland Zamperla 2004Operating [16]
VolareWiener Prater Zamperla 2004Operating [17]
Trombi Särkänniemi Zamperla 2005Operating [18]
Tatsu Six Flags Magic Mountain Bolliger & Mabillard 2006Operating [19]
Crystal Wing Happy Valley Beijing Bolliger & Mabillard 2006Operating [20]
Firehawk
Formerly X-Flight		 Kings Island
Geauga Lake 		Vekoma

2007
2001		Removed
Closed 2006		 [21] [22] [23]
Manta Sea World Orlando Bolliger & Mabillard 2009Operating [24]
StingraySuzhou Giant Wheel Park Vekoma 2009Removed [25]
Inertia Airplane Car Kaeson Youth Park Zamperla 2010Operating [26]
Sky Scrapper World Joyland Bolliger & Mabillard 2011Operating [27]
Soarin' Eagle
Formerly Flying Coaster		 Luna Park, Coney Island
Elitch Gardens 		Zamperla 2011
2002		Operating
Closed 2003		 [28] [29]
Hero Flamingo Land Resort Zamperla 2013Operating [30]
Acrobat Nagashima Spa Land Bolliger & Mabillard 2015Operating [31]
Harpy Xishuangbanna Theme Park Bolliger & Mabillard 2015SBNO [32]
The Flying Dinosaur Universal Studios Japan Bolliger & Mabillard 2016Operating [33]
Super Glider
Formerly Flying Coaster		Skytropolis Funland
Genting Theme Park		 Zamperla 2019
2004		Operating
Closed 2013		 [34]
Volare Hiz Kizagi Wonderland Eurasia Zamperla 2019SBNO [35]
F.L.Y. Phantasialand Vekoma 2020Operating [36]
Aurora Flying CoasterSilk Road ParadiseJinma Rides2023Operating [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vekoma</span> Dutch amusement ride manufacturer

Vekoma Rides Manufacturing is an amusement ride manufacturer. Vekoma is a syllabic abbreviation of Veld Koning Machinefabriek which was established in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld.

A steel roller coaster is a type of roller coaster classified by its steel track, which consists of long steel tubes that are run in pairs, supported by larger steel columns or beams. Trains running along the track typically rely on wheels made of polyurethane or nylon to keep each train car anchored to the track. The introduction of tubular steel drastically changed roller coaster innovation, allowing for greater speeds, higher drops, and more intense elements such as inversions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inverted roller coaster</span> Type of roller coaster

An inverted roller coaster is a type of steel roller coaster in which the train runs under the track with the seats directly attached to the wheel carriage. Riders are seated in open cars, letting their feet swing freely. The inverted coaster was pioneered by Swiss roller coaster manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard in the early 1990s with the development of Batman: The Ride, which opened at Six Flags Great America on May 9, 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boomerang (roller coaster)</span> Steel roller coaster

Boomerang is a model of roller coaster manufactured and designed by Vekoma, a Dutch manufacturer. The roller coaster model name is from the hunting implement based on the traditions of the Indigenous Australians. As of January 2023, there are 55 Boomerangs operating around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superman: Ultimate Flight</span> Roller coasters at three Six Flags parks

Superman: Ultimate Flight is the name of three flying roller coasters currently operating at three Six Flags amusement parks in the United States, those being Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags Great America. Each of these steel coasters were designed and built by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard and opened in 2002 and 2003. Since 2003, Six Flags has installed Superman: Ultimate Flight in three of their parks. Themed to the popular comic book character, Superman: Ultimate Flight simulates flying by positioning its passengers parallel to the track, supported by harnesses and facing the ground through most of the ride. In the station, riders board the train sitting down. After the train is locked and checked, the trains are raised into the flying position. After the ride, the seats are lowered back into the sitting position for the next round of riders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suspended Looping Coaster</span> Type of roller coaster

The Suspended Looping Coaster is a model of steel inverted roller coaster built by Dutch manufacturer Vekoma. There are at least 39 different installations across the world. The minimum rider height requirement is 130 centimetres. Vekoma is now marketing a Suspended Thrill Coaster as a successor to the Suspended Looping Coaster. The Odyssey is the largest, fastest and tallest SLC ever built at Fantasy Island in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galactica (roller coaster)</span> Flying coaster at Alton Towers

Galactica is a flying roller coaster located in the Forbidden Valley area of Alton Towers amusement park in Staffordshire, England. It originally opened as Air on 16 March 2002 and is the first flying coaster manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard. Guests ride in a prone position, meant to produce the feeling of flight, as the train passes close to the ground, under footpaths, and narrowly past trees and rocks. The ride was refurbished for the 2016 season and reopened as Galactica. It features an 840-metre-long (920 yd) track and reaches a maximum speed of 75 km/h.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nighthawk (roller coaster)</span> Steel roller coaster

Nighthawk is a retired steel flying roller coaster located at Carowinds. Constructed by Vekoma, it was located in the Thunder Road section of the park. The roller coaster originally opened as Stealth at California's Great America on April 1, 2000. In 2003, Paramount Parks decided to relocate the roller coaster to Carowinds. It reopened as Borg Assimilator – the first coaster in the world to be themed to Star Trek – on March 20, 2004. After Cedar Fair purchased Carowinds in 2006, the Paramount theming was soon removed from the park, and the ride was renamed Nighthawk. It was one of only two Flying Dutchman models still in existence from Vekoma, the other being Batwing at sister park Six Flags America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batwing (roller coaster)</span> Steel flying roller coaster

Batwing is a steel flying roller coaster built by Vekoma at Six Flags America in Prince George's County, Maryland. This is nearly identical to defunct Nighthawk at Carowinds, however that ride has a slightly different ending, and different paint scheme. The ride is a exact clone of the also now-defunct Firehawk at Kings Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zamperla</span> Italian-based steel coaster and flat rides manufacturer

Antonio Zamperla S.p.A. is an Italian design and manufacturing company founded in 1966. It is best known for creating family rides, thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin-operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soarin' Eagle</span> Steel roller coaster in New York City

Soarin' Eagle is a steel roller coaster located at the Scream Zone at Luna Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. The ride was the first ever Zamperla "Volare" roller coaster when it opened in 2002 at Elitch Gardens in Denver, Colorado, as the Flying Coaster. The Elitch Gardens ride was constructed by Martin & Vleminckx. The Volare, the cheapest option for a flying roller coaster, contains a compact layout with a distinctive spiral lift hill. In late 2010 the ride got dismantled and relocated to Luna Park in Coney Island, where it opened in April 2011 as the Soarin' Eagle. The ride has an identical sister, Hero, which opened in July 2013 at Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dive Coaster</span> Roller coaster model

The Dive Coaster is a steel roller coaster model developed and engineered by Bolliger & Mabillard. The design features one or more near-vertical drops that are approximately 90 degrees, which provide a moment of free-falling for passengers. The experience is enhanced by unique trains that seat up to ten riders per row, spanning only two or three rows total. Unlike traditional train design, this distinguishing aspect gives all passengers virtually the same experience throughout the course of the ride. Another defining characteristic of Dive Coasters is the holding brake at the top of the lift hill that holds the train momentarily right as it enters the first drop, suspending some passengers with a view looking straight down and releasing suddenly moments later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suspended Family Coaster</span> Roller coaster design by Vekoma

A Suspended Family Coaster is a steel inverted roller coaster built by Vekoma designed for families with no inversions. Just like all inverted roller coasters the train runs under the track with the seats directly attached to the wheel carriage. This latter attribute is what sets it apart from the older suspended swinging coaster, which runs under the track, but "swings" via a pivoting bar attached to the wheel carriage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorbike roller coaster</span> Type of steel roller coaster

A motorbike roller coaster or motorcycle roller coaster is a type of steel roller coaster designed with motorcycle type cars. Booster Bike at Toverland was the world's first motorbike roller coaster. Vekoma was the first company to design such a ride, although Intamin and Zamperla have since created similar designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Firehawk (roller coaster)</span> Former roller coaster at Kings Island

Firehawk was a flying roller coaster located at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. Manufactured by Vekoma, it originally opened as X-Flight at Six Flags Worlds of Adventure on May 26, 2001, billed as the Midwest's first and only flying roller coaster. Cedar Fair purchased Worlds of Adventure in 2004 and began efforts to downsize the park. X-Flight was relocated to Kings Island following the 2006 season, where it reopened as Firehawk on May 26, 2007.

Amusement rides and stunt shows themed to the Batman franchise its derivative elements are commonly found at Warner Bros. and Six Flags amusement parks across the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wing Coaster</span> Type of roller coaster

Wing Coaster is engineering firm Bolliger & Mabillard’s designation for its winged roller coaster designs. Winged roller coasters are a type of steel roller coaster where pairs of riders sit on either side of a roller coaster track in which nothing is above or below the riders. B&M began development on the first Wing Coaster between 2007 and 2008 leading to the opening of Raptor at Gardaland on 1 April 2011. There were eighteen B&M-designed Wing Coasters either under construction or operating worldwide as of 2024, with one more standing but not operating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sky Scrapper</span> Roller coaster

Sky Scrapper is a flying roller coaster at World Joyland in Wujin, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China. Sky Scrapper was one of World Joyland's opening day attractions, officially opening on April 30, 2011. The 2,805.1-foot-long (855.0 m) ride stands 131.3 feet (40.0 m) tall, and features a top speed of 54.7 mph (88.0 km/h). Designed by Swiss firm Bolliger & Mabillard, Sky Scrapper restrains riders in the prone position and features five inversions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">F.L.Y. (roller coaster)</span> Flying roller coaster at Phantasialand

F.L.Y. is a flying launched roller coaster at Phantasialand in Brühl, Germany. The coaster is the sole attraction of the Rookburgh area, a highly themed immersive Steampunk city, which was soft opened in September 2020 following several years of development and construction. During the ride, passengers sit in a prone position - facing the ground - while traversing two launches and navigating a heavily themed environment.

References

  1. 1 2 "Skytrak". www.rcdb.com. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  2. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Stingray  (Giant Wheel Park of Suzhou)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  3. ↑ Baldwin, Tim (November 2020). "Phantasialand astounds guests with record-breaking coaster, Rookburgh" (PDF).
  4. ↑ "F.L.Y. - Phantasialand (Brühl, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)". rcdb.com. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
  5. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Skytrak  (Granada Studios)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  6. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Komet  (Encounter Zone)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  7. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Batwing  (Six Flags America)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  8. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Galactica  (Alton Towers)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  9. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Superman: Ultimate Flight  (Six Flags Over Georgia)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  10. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Superman: Ultimate Flight  (Six Flags Great Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  11. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Superman: Ultimate Flight  (Six Flags Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  12. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Hexenbesen  (Erlebniswelt Seilbahnen Thale)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  13. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Nighthawk  (Carowinds)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  14. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Stealth  (California's Great America)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  15. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Super Flight  (Playland)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  16. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Time Warp  (Canada's Wonderland)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  17. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Volare  (Wiener Prater)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  18. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Trombi  (Särkänniemi)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  19. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Tatsu  (Six Flags Magic Mountain)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  20. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Crystal Wing  (Happy Valley)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  21. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Firehawk  (Kings Island)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  22. ↑ Marden, Duane. "X-Flight  (Geauga Lake)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  23. ↑ "Lv.35 Boss on Instagram: "#firehawk #kingsisland #ripfirehawk #itsbigitsgone #demolition #rip #rollercoaster"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  24. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Manta  (Sea World Orlando)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  25. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Stingray  (Suzhou Giant Wheel Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  26. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Inertia Airplane Car  (Kaeson Youth Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  27. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Sky Scrapper  (World Joyland)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  28. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Soarin' Eagle  (Scream Zone)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  29. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Flying Coaster  (Elitch Gardens)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  30. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Hero  (Flamingo Land Resort)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  31. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Acrobat  (Nagashima Spa Land)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  32. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Harpy  (Xishuangbanna Theme Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  33. ↑ Marden, Duane. "The Flying Dinosaur  (Universal Studios Japan)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  34. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Flying Coaster  (Genting Theme Park)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  35. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Volare Hiz Kizagi  (Wonderland Eurasia)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  36. ↑ Marden, Duane. "F.L.Y.  (Phantasialand)". Roller Coaster DataBase.
  37. ↑ "Aurora Flying Coaster - Silk Road Paradise (Qindu, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China)". rcdb.com. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
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