Xtreme Skyflyer

Xtreme Skyflyer
The "arch" in 2011 at Canada's Wonderland
Canada's Wonderland
Area	Grande World Exposition of 1890
Status	Removed
Opening date	1996 (1996)
Closing date	2023 (2023)
Replaced by	AlpenFury
California's Great America
Area	Celebration Plaza
Status	Operating
Opening date	March 15, 1997 (1997-03-15) [1]
Carowinds
Area	Thunder Road
Status	Operating
Opening date	June 30, 1995 (1995-06-30) [2]
Kings Dominion
Area	Candy Apple Grove
Status	Operating
Opening date	March 30, 1996 (1996-03-30) [3]
Kings Island
Area	Action Zone
Status	Removed
Opening date	1995 (1995)
Closing date	2024 (2024)
Ride statistics
Manufacturer	Skycoaster
Model	Dual Swing
Height	45.6 m (150 ft)
Drop	45.6 m (150 ft)
Participants per group	1 - 3
Duration	Varies (Anywhere around 3-5 minutes)
Height restriction	42 in (107 cm)
Single rider line available
This is a pay-per-use attraction

Xtreme Skyflyer, known as RipCord at Carowinds, ^[4] is a Skycoaster model located at several Six Flags parks. At each park, it is pay-per-ride attraction in which guests are required to pay an additional fee to ride, separate from park admission. The Carowinds and Kings Island installations opened in 1995, while the installations at Canada's Wonderland and Kings Dominion opened in 1996. California's Great America was the last location to open an Xtreme Skyflyer in 1997. ^{[5] [6]}

On February 8, 2024, it was announced that Xtreme Skyflyer would permanently shut down at Canada's Wonderland to make way for future park expansion. ^[7] Kings Island followed suit the following season, removing their installation after the 2024 season.^{[ citation needed ]}

Ride description

Structure

Xtreme Skyflyer's structure consists of several main elements, including an arch where the cables holding the riders are attached to. There are also two towers which hold the lift cables. Riders are lifted to the top of either tower and then can release by pulling a cable release. The ride also utilizes a scissor lift, which raises and lowers to assist riders with loading and unloading from the cable harness. ^[8]

Summary

Video of ride experience at California's Great America

Riders first step onto a scissor lift, where they are raised into loading position. Operators on the platform hook riders onto a cable that is directly connected to the arch above. Another cable is connected to one of the two rear towers. After the loading platform retracts, riders are raised up to the top of one tower, and then one rider is assigned the task of pulling the ripcord, which releases the tower cable's connection and begins the free-fall. Riders experience a brief moment of freefall before entering a swinging motion. After swinging back and forth for a short time, a ride operator will raise a cable loop attached to a metal pole for one rider to grab onto, helping to bring the swinging motion to a stop and positioning the riders back over the scissor lift platform. The previous riders are unloaded as any new riders waiting to ride are attached.

Prior to the ripcord being pulled, an operator will usually state the tower number and give instructions to pull the cord by saying, "Tower one (or two). 3, 2, 1, fly." One complete cycle can last anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes. ^{[9] [10]}

References

1. "Great America's newest attraction looks like it's going to be a real trip". Oakland Tribune. March 15, 1997. p. 23. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
2. Lowery, Jackie (July 1, 1995). "Free fallin': Carowinds unveils newest thrill ride". The Herald. p. 9. Retrieved January 10, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
3. "KINGS DOMINION SOARS WITH NEW SKYFLYER RIDE". March 30, 1996.
4. Herlad, Rock Hill (March 29, 2014). "2014 Carowinds season opens today". The State. Archived from the original on April 6, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
5. "Carowinds Xtreme Skyflyer". Carowinds. Archived from the original on November 7, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
6. "Kings Island Xtreme Skyflyer". Kings Island. Archived from the original on September 1, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
7. "Roller Coasters, Kiddie Ride & Family Attractions | Canadas Wonderland". www.canadaswonderland.com.
8. "Canada's Wonderland Xtreme Skyflyer Photo". JunSuk (Panoramio). Retrieved October 24, 2011.
9. "Canada's Wonderland Xtreme Skyflyer POV". adpxbluff (Youtube). June 8, 2009. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
10. "Canada's Wonderland Xtreme Skyflyer POV 2". kemchho2003 (YouTube). August 8, 2009. Retrieved October 24, 2011.