Skycoaster

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Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox attraction

File:Skycoaster (Full Structure).JPG
A typical Skycoaster's entire structure, including the lifting towers and the main arch
File:Arch tower of Skycoaster at Fun Spot USA, Kissimmee, Florida - 20081030.jpg
The A-frame tower of the world's tallest SkyCoaster in Kissimmee, Florida

Skycoaster is the name of a free-fall and flight-simulating amusement park attraction produced and managed by Skycoaster Company, LLC..[1] On the Skycoaster, riders in groups of 1 to 3 are harnessed in specialized Flight Suits (in a face-down, prone position), and are winched to the top of a launch tower; the riders then pull a ripcord to engage their “flight”, upon which they swing several times from a cable tether, back and forth, until finally brought to a rest.[2] The attraction is often compared to a combination of skydiving, bungee jumping, and hang gliding.[3]

There are currently over 80 Skycoasters in operation all around the world, ranging in heights from Script error: No such module "convert"..[4][5] The ride can be found on every continent but Antarctica.[6] Most locations operate as upcharge attractions with an additional fare charged to riders who have already paid general admission to the park.

Many installations use a variation of the "Skycoaster" model name, whereas others use a custom name like Dare Devil Dive or Xtreme Skyflyer (both found at several Six Flags parks).

History

William Kitchen, founder of Sky Fun 1 Inc., and Ken Bird originally came up with the idea of the Skycoaster in 1992.[7] They wanted to find a way to let others experience the thrill of jumping out of a plane or the thrills of bungee jumping, but with the safety factor of a merry-go-round. By January 1994, there were four portable models of the ride and 16 permanent fixtures in the United States.[8]

In 1998, Kitchen sold his patents for Skycoaster and most of the Sky Fun 1 Inc. company to ThrillTime Entertainment International Inc. for $12 million.[9][10][11] Skycoaster, Inc. was then sold to the Ride Entertainment Group in 2005.[10][6]

Ride Entertainment introduced Sky Sled in 2017, a new method of riding a Skycoaster.[12][13] The Sky Sled replaces the flying position with a sitting one. It was first introduced in 2018 at Fun Spot America in Kissimmee, Florida.[14]

Ride Entertainment has partnered with KCL Engineering to offer lighting systems for the Skycoasters and Kool Replay to offer automated video systems.[15][16]

Production

The company is based in Stevensville, Maryland. Parts are manufactured throughout the United States, with the attractions assembled on site.

The two most common types of Skycoasters are lattice and monopole. Lattice Skycoasters were manufactured in a variety of sizes, but the 53-meter (173 ft) dual arch and 31-meter (100 foot) single arch were the most common. Monopole Skycoasters were manufactured in a variety of sizes, 31-meter (100-foot) single or dual, 56-meter (180-foot) single or dual, and one 91-meter (300-foot) unit.[16] Earlier Skycoasters have some unique tower structures that do not fall within these categories.

Flight cables are made of Script error: No such module "convert". galvanized steel, which supports Script error: No such module "convert"., or stainless steel, which supports Script error: No such module "convert"..[2] However, the maximum weight for a flight is Script error: No such module "convert"., mainly due to the winch. The 3-ring release system used on the Skycoaster is the same kind used on parachutes. The flight suits worn are similar to hang gliding suits, and are made by a parachute company to support weight of up to Script error: No such module "convert"..

There are two types of Skycoaster loading systems:

  • Rolling boarding platform: A cart is rolled out to and from flight line in order to help the flyers on and off the ride.
  • Scissors lift: An elevator-like platform is raised up and down to allow flyers on and off the ride.

Skycoaster installations

Skycoaster name Park Location Height Opened Closed Details
Skycoaster Fun Spot America - Kissimmee Kissimmee, Florida Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 Open World's tallest Skycoaster.[17][18] Opened on Saturday, November 22, 1997, with an appearance by 82-year-old George A. Blair.[17]
Sydney Skycoaster Raging Waters Sydney (Formerly Wet'n'Wild Sydney) Sydney, Australia Script error: No such module "convert". 2013 Open World's second tallest Skycoaster. Dual Skycoaster and the first with a new design with less steel than other Skycoaster designs.[4][6][19] Second Skycoaster with the Village Roadshow group.
Skycoaster Fun Spot America - Orlando Orlando, Florida Script error: No such module "convert". 2013 Open Relocated from MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park.[20] Only uses one of two former towers.[21]
Sky Screamer MGM Grand Adventures Las Vegas Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 2001 Relocated to Fun Spot Orlando.[20][22] After closing to the public, the ride was originally retained on property and available for rent by companies.[23]
VertigoXtremo Parque de la Costa Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina Script error: No such module "convert". 1999 Opened [24]
Skycoaster Skyborne London Script error: No such module "convert". Open
Skycoaster The American Adventure Ilkeston, Derbyshire Script error: No such module "convert". Closed [25]
X-Flight Six Flags Mexico Mexico, Mexico City Script error: No such module "convert". 2015 Open Tallest Skycoaster in Mexico at over Script error: No such module "convert". tall.[26][5]
Skycoaster PlayCenter São Paulo Script error: No such module "convert". Closed [27]
RipCord Worlds of Fun Kansas City, Missouri Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Open [28][29]
Caribbean Swing Hurricane Harbor Arlington, Texas Script error: No such module "convert". 1995 2014
Skycoaster Kennywood West Mifflin, Pennsylvania Script error: No such module "convert". 1994 2019 Single Lattice A-Frame.[4] First permanent Skycoaster installation in an amusement park.[30][31]
SkyCoaster State Fair of Texas Dallas Script error: No such module "convert". Closed
RipCord Michigan's Adventure Muskegon, Michigan Script error: No such module "convert". 2002 Open [32]
SkyCoaster Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort New Braunfels, Texas Script error: No such module "convert". 2002 closed [33]
Skycoaster Lake Compounce Bristol, Connecticut Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Open [34]
RipCord Valleyfair Shakopee, Minnesota Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 2024 [4][35]
Geronimo Skycoaster Wild Adventures Valdosta, Georgia Script error: No such module "convert". 1999 closed [36]
Skycoaster Six Flags Darien Lake Darien, New York Script error: No such module "convert". 1995 Open Opened as "Skycoaster".[37]
Sky Coaster Six Flags Over Georgia Austell, Georgia Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 closed [38]
Ultimate Rush Grand Adventure Land Reno, Nevada Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Open [39]
Unknown United Entertainment & Tourism Company Shaab Park, Kuwait Script error: No such module "convert". Open
Skycoaster Kentucky Kingdom Louisville, Kentucky Script error: No such module "convert". 2001 2009 [40]
Screamin' Skycoaster Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio Script error: No such module "convert". 1995 2001 Relocated to Texas State Fair.
Skycoaster Six Flags New Orleans New Orleans Script error: No such module "convert". 2000 2005 Demolished in 2025.[41]
Skydiver Walibi Holland Biddinghuizen, Netherlands Script error: No such module "convert". 2002 Open
Dare Devil Dive Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor Queensbury, New York Script error: No such module "convert". 2001 Open [42]
Hadikali Hopi Hari Vinhedo, São Paulo, Brazil Script error: No such module "convert". Open [43]
Catapulte La Ronde Montreal, Quebec, Canada Script error: No such module "convert". 2008 open [44]
Skycoaster Opryland USA Nashville, Tennessee Script error: No such module "convert". 1995 1997 Originally opened in park's State Fair area before being relocated within park for 1997 season.[7] Park was closed and demolished following 1997 season.
Xtreme SkyFlyer Canada's Wonderland Vaughan, Ontario, Canada Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 2023 Dual Skycoaster.[4][45]
SKY-X Seoul Land Gwacheon, South Korea Script error: No such module "convert". 2000 Open [46]
Sky Coaster Superland Rishon LeZion, Israel Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Open [47]
SkyCoaster Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast Gold Coast, Australia Script error: No such module "convert". Closed [48]
XLR8R Elitch Gardens Denver Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Open [49]
Xtreme Skyflyer Kings Island Mason, Ohio Script error: No such module "convert". 1995 2024 Opened as "Drop Zone", named after Paramount movie Drop Zone.[50] Renamed in 1996 to "Xtreme Skyflyer".[51]
Dive Devil Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, California Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Open [52]
Xtreme SkyFlyer Kings Dominion Doswell, Virginia Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Open [53]
RipCord Carowinds Charlotte, North Carolina Script error: No such module "convert". 1995 Open Opened as "Skycoaster". Renamed in 1996 to "Xtreme Skyflyer".[54] Relocated next to Nighthawk in 2014.[55]
Xtreme SkyFlyer California's Great America Santa Clara, California Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 Open [56]
Dare Devil Dive Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, New Jersey Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 2024 [57]
Dive Bomber Alley Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Open [58]
Dragon's Wing Six Flags St. Louis Eureka, Missouri Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 2023 [59]
Barnstormer Six Flags AstroWorld Houston Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 2005 [60][61]
Sky Coaster Lagoon Amusement Park Farmington, Utah Script error: No such module "convert". 1995 Open [3][62]
Vertigo Oakwood Theme Park Pembrokeshire, Wales Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 2024 [4][63]
I-5 Sky Dive Wild Waves Theme Park Federal Way, Washington Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Open [64]
Dare Devil Dive Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Illinois Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 2023 [65]
Skycoaster Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Greensboro, North Carolina Script error: No such module "convert". Closed
Professor Delbert's Frontier Fling Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 2024 Originally opened as "Ripcord" in Cedar Point's Challenge Park.[66] Relocated in 2017 to Frontier Trail and renamed.[67]
Skycoaster South Pier, Blackpool Blackpool Script error: No such module "convert". 1994 Open [68]
Skycoaster Six Flags America Prince George's County, Maryland Script error: No such module "convert". 2001 2019 Removed to make way for Harley Quinn Spinsanity.
Sky Shark Magic Springs and Crystal Falls Hot Springs, Arkansas Script error: No such module "convert". 2014 Open [69]
Geronimo Skycoaster Frontier City Oklahoma City Script error: No such module "convert". 1995 2021 [70]
Dive Devil Bell's Amusement Park Tulsa, Oklahoma Script error: No such module "convert". Closed
Skycoaster The Track Family Fun Center Gulf Shores, Alabama Script error: No such module "convert". 1995 Open [71]
Skycoaster Zero Gravity Dallas Script error: No such module "convert". 1994 Open [72]
Sky Coaster Indiana Beach Monticello, Indiana Script error: No such module "convert". 1995 Open [73]
Skycoaster Big Kahuna's Destin, Florida Script error: No such module "convert". 1993 Open [74]
Skycoaster Tusenfryd Oslo, Norway Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Open [75]
Skycoaster Parque Mundo Aventura Bogotá D.C., Colombia Script error: No such module "convert". Open [76]
Skycoaster Six Flags New England Agawam, Massachusetts Script error: No such module "convert". 1995[77] 2013 Formerly known as "Taz's Daredevil Dive". Featured a unique curved tower.[78] Replaced with Star Flyer.[79]
Sky Coaster Funtown Pier Seaside Heights, New Jersey Script error: No such module "convert". 2007 2012 Demolished after Hurricane Sandy destroyed most of the pier.[80]
Boardwalk Flight Luna Park, Coney Island Coney Island, New York Script error: No such module "convert". 2012 2014 [81]
Skycoaster Casino Pier Seaside Heights, New Jersey Script error: No such module "convert". 2015 Open [82][83]
The Skycoaster El Rollo Waterpark Acapulco, Mexico Script error: No such module "convert". 2015 Closed Script error: No such module "convert". single tower.[5]
Skycoaster Broadway Grand Prix Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Open [84]
Skycoaster Ozark Mountain Skycoaster Branson, Missouri Script error: No such module "convert". Open [85]
Skycoaster Extreme World/Mt. Olympus Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Script error: No such module "convert". closed [86]
Skycoaster Andy Alligator's Fun Park and Water Park Norman, Oklahoma Script error: No such module "convert". 2016 2021
Sky Coaster Morey's Piers – Adventure Pier Wildwood, New Jersey Script error: No such module "convert". 1994 Open [87]
Sky Coaster Adventure Park USA Monrovia, Maryland Script error: No such module "convert". 2018 Open [88]
Royal Rush Skycoaster Royal Gorge Bridge and Park Royal Gorge, Colorado Script error: No such module "convert". 2003 Open Positioned over a Script error: No such module "convert". canyon.[4][89]
Sky Swing Seacoast Adventures North Windham, Maine Script error: No such module "convert". Open [90]
Skycoaster Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Vallejo, California Script error: No such module "convert". 2001 2021 [91]
Drop Zone Playland Vancouver, Canada Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 2023 [92]
Ripcord Geauga Lake Aurora, Ohio Script error: No such module "convert". 1999 2007 Sold at auction for $85,000, then put up for sale by third-party company ITAL International LLC for $105,000.[93]
The Slingshot Ratanga Junction Century City, Cape Town Script error: No such module "convert". 1999 Closed
Sky Coaster Joyland Park Wichita, Kansas Script error: No such module "convert". Closed
Sky Coaster Morey's Piers – Surfside Pier Wildwood, New Jersey Script error: No such module "convert". 2015
Skycoaster Kissimmee, Florida Kissimmee, Florida Script error: No such module "convert". 1994 Closed Located one mile east of Old Town (amusement park).
Parachute Drop Mitsui Greenland Arao-shi, Japan Script error: No such module "sort". Open
Flying Carpet Tokyo SummerLand Tokyo, Japan Script error: No such module "sort". Closed
Skycoaster Orlando, Florida Orlando, Florida Script error: No such module "sort". Closed Formerly known as "Bungee Mania".[94]

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  3. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b c d e f g Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  68. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
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  86. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
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  94. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

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