View source for Firehawk (roller coaster)

{{short description|Former roller coaster at Kings Island}}
{{About|the Vekoma flying roller coaster at Kings Island|the Bolliger & Mabillard wing coaster at Six Flags Great America|X-Flight}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox roller coaster
|name=Firehawk
|logo=                    <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full [[File:]] link-->
|logodimensions=          <!--Must be expressed in pixels (px); default is 250px-->
|image=Firehawk 5.jpg
|imagedimensions=250px
|caption=Firehawk in 2007
|previousnames=X-Flight at [[Geauga Lake|Six Flags Worlds of Adventure/Geauga Lake]] (2001–2006)
|location=Kings Island
|section=Coney Mall
|subsection=[[Kings Island#X-Base|X-Base]]
|coordinates={{Coord|39|20|33.84|N|84|15|45.82|W|display=title,inline|region:US-OH_type:landmark_source:dewiki}}
|status=Removed
|opened={{Start date|2007|5|26}}
|year=2007
|closed={{End date|2018|10|28}}
|cost=
|replacement=[[Orion (roller coaster)|Orion]]<ref name="Reveal-KI"/>
|extend={{Infobox roller coaster extend
|location=Geauga Lake
|coordinates={{Coord|41.3509|-81.3802|display=inline}}
|section=50's Midway
|subsection=<!--Should be linked.-->
|status=Relocated to Kings Island
|soft_opened=May 24, 2001
|opened={{Start date|2001|5|26}}
|year=2001
|closed={{End date|2006|9|17}} 
|cost=[[US$]]15 million
}}
|type=Steel
|type2=Flying
|manufacturer=Vekoma
|designer=
|model=Flying Dutchman (1018m)
|track=
|lift=Chain [[lift hill]]
|height_ft=115
|length_ft=3340
|speed_mph=50
|inversions=5
|duration=2:10
|angle=33
|capacity=520
|gforce=4.3
|restriction_in=54-80
|rcdb_number=3793
|trains=2
|carspertrain=6
|rowspercar=1
|ridersperrow=4
|virtual_queue_name =[[Fast Lane (Cedar Fair)|Fast Lane Plus]]
|virtual_queue_image = Cedar Fair Fast Lane Plus availability icon.svg
|virtual_queue_status = was available
|custom_label_1=
|custom_value_1=
}}

'''Firehawk''' was a [[flying roller coaster]] located at [[Kings Island]] in [[Mason, Ohio]]. Manufactured by [[Vekoma]], it originally opened as '''X-Flight''' at [[Geauga Lake|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.

The roller coaster's layout was identical to [[Batwing (roller coaster)|Batwing]], another Vekoma Flying Dutchman model, located at [[Six Flags America]]. Firehawk closed permanently on October 28, 2018, and was later demolished. On August 15, 2019, it was announced that Firehawk would be replaced by a new [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] coaster named [[Orion (roller coaster)|Orion]], a [[giga coaster]] that opened in 2020.<ref name="Reveal-KI">{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitkingsisland.com/explore/orion|title=Orion: Kings Island|publisher=Kings Island|access-date=August 16, 2019}}</ref>

==History==
===Six Flags Worlds of Adventure/Geauga Lake (2001–2006)===
When [[Geauga Lake]] was known as Six Flags Ohio, plans for a new roller coaster known as X-Flight were revealed on January 4, 2001.<ref name="A Blast from the Past">{{cite web|title=A Blast From The Past - Six Flags Worlds of Adventures X-Flight Pt. 2|url=http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2011/04/blast-from-past-six-flags-worlds-of_21.html|publisher=News Plus Notes|access-date=November 4, 2012|date=April 21, 2011}}</ref> Six days later, Six Flags purchased [[SeaWorld Ohio]] – next to Geauga Lake – and merged the two to create Six Flags Worlds of Adventure.<ref name="PR Newswire - SeaWorld purchase">{{cite news|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/six-flags-inc-purchases-seaworld-in-ohio-71007317.html|title=Six Flags, Inc. Purchases SeaWorld in Ohio|date=January 10, 2001|publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Six Flags buys SeaWorld">{{cite web|title=Six Flags Buys SeaWorld Ohio To Combine Parks|url=http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/january01/stories/011001_01.shtml|publisher=Ultimate Roller Coaster|access-date=November 4, 2012|date=January 10, 2001}}</ref> X-Flight was advertised as the first flying roller coaster in the Midwest, and it was the park's tenth roller coaster overall – the fifth added since 2000.<ref name="Announcement">{{cite web|title=X-Flight to Take Riders Flying at Six Flags Ohio|url=http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/january01/stories/010701_01.shtml|publisher=Ultimate Roller Coaster|access-date=November 4, 2012|date=January 7, 2001}}</ref> The new coaster was built on a former bus parking lot, and Geauga Lake Road had to be rerouted around the ride.<ref name="Geauga Lake Today" /> Regarding the design of the attraction, Jake Bateman, Vice President and General Manager of Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, said:<ref name=Announcement />

{{Centered pull quote|X-Flight will be so thrilling and so unique that a new category far above ultimate will have to be created to describe the experience. There is nothing to compare it to in Ohio or the Midwest, for that matter.|25px|25px}}

{{Stack|[[File:GL-X-Flight.jpg|thumb|X-Flight at Geauga Lake]]|float=right}}

Land clearing began on December 1, 2000, and construction on the footers began February 9, 2001. X-Flight was originally intended to open on May 5,<ref name="X-flight Press Release">{{cite news|url=http://rcdb.com/920.htm?dt=126&d=5 |title=Incredible flying coaster |date=January 4, 2001 |publisher=[[Roller Coaster Database]] |access-date=February 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020032011/http://www.rcdb.com/920.htm?dt=126 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 }}</ref> but due to technical difficulties, its opening was delayed.<ref name="A Blast from the Past" /> During testing, problems were discovered with several devices, including the reclining mechanism on the trains and their restraints.<ref name="A Blast from the Past" /> X-Flight's media day was eventually held on May 24, 2001, and the ride officially opened two days later on May 26.<ref name="R.I.P.">{{cite web|title=X-Flight R.I.P.|url=http://www.jeslive.com/coasters/xflight.html|publisher=Jesmedia|access-date=November 9, 2012}}</ref><ref name=RCDB />

Cedar Fair purchased the park from Six Flags in 2004 for $145 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://businessjournaldaily.com/cedar-fair-completes-purchase-six-flags-worlds-adventure-2004-4-9|title=Cedar Fair Completes Purchase of Six Flags Worlds of Adventure|date=April 9, 2004|publisher=The Business Journal|access-date=February 15, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130407212302/http://businessjournaldaily.com/cedar-fair-completes-purchase-six-flags-worlds-adventure-2004-4-9|archive-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref> They announced intentions of returning the park to its roots as a family-oriented amusement park.<ref name="Geauga Lake brand returns">{{cite news|url=http://amarillo.com/stories/031204/bus_sixflags.shtml|title=Cedar Fair buys Six Flags park near Cleveland|last=Seewer|first=John|date=March 12, 2004|publisher=The Associated Press|access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> The efforts to downsize the park eventually led to X-Flight's removal.<ref name="X-Flight's removal">{{cite news|url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20070205/REG/70202030/1004&template=printart|title=Geauga Lake's new twist|last=Booth|first=John|date=February 5, 2007|publisher=Crain's Cleveland Business|access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> On November 22, 2006, [[Geauga Lake]] park officials announced that X-Flight was being dismantled to be moved to another unspecified [[Cedar Fair]] property.<ref name="XF to takeoff from Geauga Lake">{{cite web|last=Olsen |first=David |title=X-Flight cleared for takeoff from Geauga Lake |url=http://www.coaster-net.com/news/770-x-flight-cleared-for-takeoff-from-geauga-lake/ |publisher=Coaster-Net |access-date=November 10, 2012 |date=November 22, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219112910/http://coaster-net.com/news/770-x-flight-cleared-for-takeoff-from-geauga-lake/ |archive-date=December 19, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="GL to relocate coater">{{cite news|title=Geauga Lake workers to relocated coaster|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=K1BIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AIIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2809,3738593&dq=x-flight+geauga+lake+closed&hl=en|access-date=November 10, 2012|newspaper=[[The Vindicator]]|date=November 23, 2006}}</ref> Moving the ride would take several months, as the final sections of track and supports wouldn't be removed until March 2007.<ref name="Geauga Lake Today">{{cite web|title=X-Flight (Geauga Lake Today)|url=http://www.geaugalaketoday.com/X-Flight.htm|publisher=Geauga Lake Today|access-date=November 9, 2012}}</ref>

===Kings Island (2007–2018)===
On January 22, 2007, green Vekoma track resembling the track of X-Flight was spotted at [[Kings Island]], a Cedar Fair park in [[Mason, Ohio]].<ref name="Track in PL">{{cite web|title=Parking Lot Staging Area|url=http://www.kicentral.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=180|publisher=Kings Island Central|access-date=February 15, 2013}}</ref> On February 5, 2007, Kings Island officially announced Firehawk as the former X-Flight roller coaster from Geauga Lake.<ref name="Relocation">{{cite web|title=X-Flight Gets Paint, New Name For Kings Island Move|url=http://www.wlwt.com/news/10932153/detail.html?treets=cin&tid=2652596645813&tml=cin_12pm&tmi=cin_12pm_1_11000302052007&ts=H|publisher=[[WLWT]]|access-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716221305/http://www.wlwt.com/news/10932153/detail.html?treets=cin&tid=2652596645813&tml=cin_12pm&tmi=cin_12pm_1_11000302052007&ts=H|archive-date=July 16, 2011|date=February 5, 2007}}</ref> Construction was scheduled to begin later that month, and the opening was set for [[Memorial Day]] weekend later that year.<ref name=Relocation /> X-Flight's neon green track and dark blue supports were re-painted red and steel gray, respectively. It was built in an area next to [[Flight of Fear]], creating a new area named [[Kings Island#X-Base|X-Base]] which connects to nearby area [[Kings Island#Coney Mall|Coney Mall]] via a walkway under [[Racer (Kings Island)|Racer]]'s lift hill.<ref name="Coaster-Net">{{cite web|title=Firehawk at Coaster-Net|url=http://www.coaster-net.com/ride-gallery/288-firehawk/|publisher=Coaster-Net|access-date=November 9, 2012}}</ref> Firehawk officially opened as scheduled on May 26, 2007. It was the first roller coaster to be introduced at the park since Cedar Fair purchased it from [[Paramount Parks]] in 2006. The first 2,500 riders received commemorative Firehawk t-shirts.<ref name="Go! Report">{{cite web|title=Firehawk ride set to open at Kings Island|url=http://www.swocol.com/search/content/oh/story/entertainment/events/2007/05/22/hjn052307KingsIslandBrief.html|publisher=Go!|access-date=February 9, 2013|date=May 22, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411224437/http://www.swocol.com/search/content/oh/story/entertainment/events/2007/05/22/hjn052307KingsIslandBrief.html |archive-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref>

On September 27, 2018, Kings Island announced that Firehawk would close permanently on October 28, 2018.<ref name="wcpo">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/farewell-firehawk-kings-island-announces-roller-coaster-will-come-down|title=Farewell, Firehawk: Kings Island announces roller coaster will come down|last2=Anstead|first2=Abby|last=Matarese|first=John|date=September 27, 2017|work=WCPO|access-date=September 27, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="2018Removal-PlainDealer">{{cite news|url=https://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2018/09/kings_island_removing_firehawk.html|title=Kings Island removing Firehawk roller coaster, a Geauga Lake hand-me-down|last=Glaser|first=Susan|date=September 27, 2018|work=The Plain Dealer|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> The ride was demolished prior to the 2019 season.<ref name="Demolition">{{cite web |title=Video: Kings Island's Firehawk roller coaster comes crashing down |url=https://www.wlwt.com/article/video-demolition-day-brings-kings-islands-firehawk-crashing-down/26098307 |publisher=WLWT.com |access-date=February 9, 2019 |date=January 31, 2019}}</ref> Firehawk's trains were shipped to [[Carowinds]] to be used as spare parts for [[Nighthawk (roller coaster)|Nighthawk]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stilwell|first1=Andrew|title=Carowinds Off-Season Maintenance Update|url=https://www.coaster101.com/2020/03/05/carowinds-off-season-maintenance-update/|website=Coaster101|access-date=November 29, 2020|date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> In 2020, Firehawk was replaced with a [[giga coaster]] named [[Orion (roller coaster)|Orion]].<ref name="Reveal-KI" /><ref>{{cite RCDB|rcdb_number=11437|coaster_name=Orion|location=Kings Island|access-date=August 21, 2019}}</ref> The former photo booth was reused as the new coaster's entrance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2020/july/kings-islands-orion-roller-coaster-a-story-driven-attraction|title=KINGS ISLAND'S ORION ROLLER COASTER A STORY-DRIVEN ATTRACTION|publisher=Kings Island}}</ref>

==Ride experience==

===Track===
[[File:Firehawk train in final helix.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Train in final helix]]
The steel track was {{Convert|3340|ft|adj=off}} in length, and the height of the lift hill was {{Convert|115|ft|adj=off}}.<ref name=RCDB /> There were approximately 300 sections of track colored red, with steel gray supports.<ref name=Coaster-Net /> When the ride operated at Geauga Lake, the track was neon green with dark blue supports.<ref name="Geauga Lake Today" />

Firehawk had a total of five inversions – one [[vertical loop]], two [[inline twist]]s, and four 180-degree inline twists that were each counted as a half inversion.<ref name="RCDB">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Firehawk|location=Kings Island|rcdb_number=3793|access-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> These 180-degree inline twists were also known as "Lie-to-Fly" and "Fly-to-Lie" elements, in which riders on their backs were flipped to face the ground or vice versa.<ref name="Lie to Fly">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Lie to Fly|location=|rcdb_number=8886|access-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Fly to Lie">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Fly to Lie|location=|rcdb_number=8880|access-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Flying Coasters">{{cite web|title=Flying Coasters |url=http://www.coasterforce.com/coasters-pages/coaster-types/flying-coasters |publisher=Coaster Force |access-date=November 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324070745/http://www.coasterforce.com/coasters-pages/coaster-types/flying-coasters |archive-date=March 24, 2013 }}</ref>

===Layout===
Once riders were seated and restrained, the [[train (roller coaster)|train]] was tilted backwards into a 'lay-down' position and dispatched. The train traveled backwards out of the [[station (roller coaster)|station]], turned left and traveled up the {{convert|115|ft|adj=on}} [[lift hill]] at a 33-degree angle. Once the train reached the top of the lift hill, it dipped down into a twist (called a "Lie-to-Fly") that turned the trains upside down into a flying position where riders faced the ground. After the twist, the train traveled down the first drop, reaching speeds of {{convert|51|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. Riders then proceeded through an [[overbanked turn|over banked]] horseshoe curve element, passing the queue area. Following the horseshoe, the train entered a "Fly-to-Lie" element that turned riders back to a lay-down position. After the banked turn, the ride entered the {{convert|66|ft|adj=on}} tall [[vertical loop]], where riders experience 4.3 Gs. The train then went into another "Lie-to-Fly" element. Following the loop, riders entered another turn and hit two consecutive [[inline twist]]s. Following the inline twists, the train entered the final helix followed by the final "Fly-to-Lie" element. Afterwards, the train was slowed to a stop on the [[brake run]] before returning to the station.<ref name=RCDB /><ref name="KI POV">{{cite web|title=Firehawk POV|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbWx6opIbk0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/xbWx6opIbk0 |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|publisher=Sharp Productions|access-date=November 7, 2012|date=September 21, 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="America Coasters">{{cite web|title=ACN review (X-Flight)|url=http://www.americacoasters.com/Reviews/?page=x-flight|publisher=America Coasters|access-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref>

===Station===
[[File:Firehawk red train in station.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Firehawk's red train in the station]]
The coaster featured a dual station which was connected to the main track using a switch track segment (similar to a [[railroad switch]]). Dual-station operation allowed for two trains to be loaded simultaneously for more efficient operation. This configuration has existed since the ride debuted at Geauga Lake.<ref name="A Blast from the Past" /><ref name="America Coasters" />

===Trains===
Firehawk operated with two trains. There were six cars with four seats in each row for a total of 24 riders per train.<ref name=RCDB /> There were three trains during the ride's first year at [[Geauga Lake]], however only two were used since. The third train became a parts [[Donation|donor]] for the first two.<ref name=RCDB /><ref name="Way Marking article">{{cite web|title=Firehawk - Kings Island|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMCGMG_Firehawk_Kings_Island_Cincinnati_Ohio|publisher=Way Marking|access-date=February 9, 2013}}</ref> Originally, riders reclined on the lift hill, rather than in the station, and returned to an upright position prior to re-entering the station.<ref name="X-flight Press Release" /><ref name="A Blast from the Past 1">{{cite web|title=A Blast From The Past - Six Flags Worlds of Adventures X-Flight Pt. 1|url=http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2011/04/blast-from-past-six-flags-worlds-of.html|publisher=News Plus Notes|access-date=November 9, 2012|date=April 14, 2011}}</ref> However, this was changed to occur in the station due to problems that arose during the ride's first season.<ref name="America Coasters" /> The trains featured the Firehawk logo on the front colored yellow and red. At Geauga Lake, the X-Flight logo was featured on the trains.<ref name="A Blast from the Past" />

==Incident==
On August 8, 2009, an adult male passenger was rushed to a hospital after he was found with breathing problems following the ride. He died the same evening. The Hamilton County Coroner's Office reported that a heart condition was the likely cause of death and ruled it a natural cause.<ref>{{cite news | title =Heart condition killed park rider | work =[[Toledo Blade]] | date =November 20, 2009 | url =http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2009/11/20/Heart-condition-killed-park-rider.html | access-date =November 8, 2012 }}</ref> The ride was re-opened at 12:10 pm on August 9, 2009, after an inspection by the Ohio Department of Agriculture – a division of the state government responsible for amusement park ride safety in Ohio. They determined the ride was operating within the manufacturer's specifications.<ref>{{cite news | title =Kings Island roller coaster reopened after Toledo-area man's death | newspaper =[[Springfield News-Sun]] | date =August 9, 2009 | url =http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/news/local/kings-island-roller-coaster-reopened-after-toled-1/nM3Y6/ | access-date =November 8, 2012 }}</ref>

==Gallery==
===Geauga Lake===
<gallery>
File:X-Flight (Geauga Lake) 1.jpg
File:X-Flight (Geauga Lake) 2.jpg
File:X-Flight (Geauga Lake) 3.jpg
</gallery>

===Kings Island===
<gallery>

File:Firehawk yellow train.jpg
File:Firehawk switch track.jpg
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Nighthawk (roller coaster)]], Vekoma Flying Dutchman at [[Carowinds]]
* [[Batwing (roller coaster)]], an identical version of ''Firehawk'' at [[Six Flags America]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category multi|Firehawk (Kings Island)|X-Flight (Geauga Lake)}}
*[http://www.visitkingsisland.com/rides/Thrill-Rides-12-14-11-44/Firehawk Official page of Firehawk]
* {{RCDB|3793|Firehawk}}
*[http://www.kicentral.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=187 Construction Photos at Kings Island Central] of Firehawk
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070520075157/http://www.kicentral.com/attractions/firehawk.php Kings Island Central information] - Alternate source of details and stats.

{{Kings Island}}
{{Geauga Lake}}

[[Category:Roller coasters operated by Cedar Fair]] <!--Leave; As the removed ride was operated by Cedar Fair before the merger-->
[[Category:Former roller coasters in Ohio]]
[[Category:Roller coasters operated by Six Flags|X-Flight (Worlds of Adventure)]]