What is a Flying Coaster?
Wilbur and Orville Wright had the right idea, but if you really want to experience flight first-hand look no further than one of the ten flying coasters in the U.S. Flying coasters are steel roller coasters where riders are secured in a face down flying position with the track overhead.
There are several different designers and the loading is done in a variety of ways. Currently, Vekoma(3), Bolliger & Mabillard(6), Zamperla (5), and Wiegand (1) have built flying coasters.
As with most early designs, the first few installations were nearly
identical clones. Vekoma started the new trend when they debuted Stealth at Paramount’s Great America in Santa Clara, CA in 2000. In 2003, it was removed and sent to sister park Carowinds. It was reborn as Nighthawk in 2004. (Pictured right.)
Air at Alton Towers in the UK was B&M’s first flying roller coaster. Then, B&M built several Superman Ultimate Flight coasters for Six Flags starting with this one at Six Flags Over Georgia in 2002. In 2006, Tatsu was opened at Six Flags Magic Mountain. It easily broke the mold as the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest flying coaster because the early designs were so small and safe.
Find the nearest flying coaster to you: Complete List of Flying Coasters
Think you’re ready to fly? Check out this onride roller coaster video of the massive Tatsu at Six Flags Magic Mountain:
Note – This video was filmed by a professional with permission from the park.
For safety reason, please DO NOT take a camera on a roller coaster.
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