Flying | |
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Statistics | |
Description |
Riders are positioned in a face-down position underneath the track. |
First Installation |
Skytrak (1997) |
Oldest in Operation |
Batwing Coaster (2001) |
Newest Installation |
Starry Sky Ripper (2011) |
Manufacturers |
A flying roller coaster is a type of a steel roller coaster with cars designed to simulate the sensations of flight. The roller coaster cars are suspended below the track, with riders secured so that their backs are parallel to the track. Flying roller coasters come in a variety of sizes and designs depending on the intended demographic for the ride. Some flying roller coasters are intended for children and, thus, are relatively slow and gentle; others are meant for older children and adults and can be very fast and intense.
History[]
The world's first flying roller coaster was Skytrak, built in Manchester, United Kingdom at Granada Studios in 1997. 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. The park, and Skytrak itself, were short-lived, both closing in 1998, but nevertheless the ride was the first of its kind.
In 2000, flying coasters were taken to a completely new level and started a new stage of their life when Stealth (built by Vekoma) debuted in Paramount's Great America featuring not only a lay-down running but also a 6-car with rows of 4 pasenger train pasing through twisting inversions that featured both lay-up and lay-down segments. After its success this layout was later commercialized as Flying Dutchman.

Notable coasters[]
Roller Coaster Types | |
Track Materials | Hybrid • Steel • Wooden |
Train Configurations | 4th Dimension • Bobsled • Dive Coaster • Floorless • Flying • Inverted • Mine Train • Motorbike • Pipeline • Side Friction • Spinning • Stand-Up • Straddle • Suspended • Virginia Reel • Wing Coaster |
Track Layouts | Dueling • Figure 8 • Launched • Möbius Loop • Out & Back • Racing • Shuttle • Strata Coaster • Wild Mouse |