• What is a Flying Coaster?

  Written by The Coaster Critic 8 Comments
  Last Updated: January 8, 2007

  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.

  Got a suggestion for Coasterology 101? Leave a comment below.

  

  Related Posts:

  1. Knoebels Flying Turns Construction Photos
  2. Carowinds to Close Flying Super Saturator
  3. Storm Runner’s Flying Snake Dive

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8 Comments

1. #1 Lucas says:
   September 17th, 2009 at 7:42 pm

   I remember riding the world’s first flying coaster. It was Stealth It was GREAT!!!

   Reply
   • #2 CFC says:
     March 18th, 2010 at 5:48 pm

     Isn’t that now Nighthawk/Borg at Carowinds?

     Reply
2. #3 Prof. BAM says:
   March 17th, 2010 at 3:53 pm

   The inversions that these coasters claim to have, I would’t count all of them. Like the Fly to Lie/Lie to Fly. That is the train itself inverting. I define an inversion on a roller coaster as the occupants in a fashion similar to standing on their heads. In the Fly to Lie/Lie to Fly-you jsut roll over. You don’t invert.

   Reply
   • #4 JaMeS says:
     March 17th, 2010 at 5:16 pm

     is the lie to fly a pretzel loop? because when you start heading down, you do feel like you are standing on your head

     Reply
     • #5 Prof. BAM says:
       March 18th, 2010 at 7:02 pm

       The Fly to Lie/Fly to Lie are reminiscent of barrel rolls

       Reply
3. #6 Prof. BAM says:
   April 5th, 2010 at 5:28 pm

   Am I the only one who has noticed that only Vekoma flyers are located at Cedar Fair parks? Six Flags has the B&Ms, so where and when is one going to fly to a Cedar Fair park. Personally, I believe that the first B&M flyer will land somewhare around Cedar Point’s property.

   Reply
4. #7 CFC says:
   April 5th, 2010 at 7:57 pm

   Prof. BAM, look at the article more closely. It says that B&M has already made six flyers. Vekoma has built three, Zamperla has built 5, and Wiegand has built one.

   Reply
5. #8 Tom says:
   April 7th, 2010 at 3:52 pm

   Flying roller coasters are my favorite type of roller coaster. I just love the feeling of being hung in midair with nothing but a seat belt holding you in, the G-forces you can get on one that you can’t get on any other type of roller coaster, and the feeling of your blood rushing to your head on the pretzel loop.

   Reply