Editing Flying roller coaster

{{Short description|Type of roller coaster}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox attraction model
| name                = Flying roller coaster
| logo                = <!--Use ONLY the filename, not a full [[Image:]] link-->
| logo_width          = <!--Default is 250px-->
| image               = Manta-SWO-Water.jpg
| imagedimensions     = 250px
| caption             = [[Manta (SeaWorld Orlando)|Manta]], a flying coaster at [[SeaWorld Orlando]]
| status              = in production
| first_produced      = 1997
| No. of installations= 26
| manufacturer2       = [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] (2002-), [[Vekoma]] (2000-), [[Zamperla]] (2002-)
| designer            = <!--Should be linked.-->
| height_ft           = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| height_m            = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_ft             = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| drop_m              = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_ft           = <!--Must be expressed in feet and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| length_m            = <!--Must be expressed in metres and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_mph           = <!--Must be expressed in miles per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| speed_km/h          = <!--Must be expressed in kilometres per hour and may contain only numeric characters.-->
| gforce              = 
| capacity            = <!--If number is known, include this parameter.-->
<!--Use only one of vehicles, rows, participants, or audience-->
| vehicle_type        = 
| vehicles            = 
| riders_per_vehicle  = <!--Only use if vehicles has been specified.-->
| rows                = 
| riders_per_row      = <!--Only use if rows has been specified.-->
| participants_per_group= <!--Only use if neither rows or vehicles is applicable.-->
| audience_capacity   = <!--For shows-->
| duration            = 
| restraint           = Over-the-shoulder (most common style)
| custom_label_1      = 
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|rcdb_number          =  <!--The number in the URL of the coaster's RCDB page. This parameter should only be used for roller coaster models.-->
}}

A '''flying roller coaster''' is a type of [[steel roller coaster]] meant to simulate the sensations of flight by harnessing riders in a prone position during the duration of the ride. The roller coaster cars are suspended below the track, with riders secured such that their backs are parallel to the track.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

==History==
The flying roller coaster is a relatively new concept. The world's first flying roller coaster was ''[[Skytrak]]'', built in [[Manchester, United Kingdom]] at the [[Granada Studios Tour]] in 1997.<ref name="Skytrak">{{cite web|url=http://rcdb.com/id2380.htm|title=Skytrak|work=www.rcdb.com|access-date=2008-08-21}}</ref> The ''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.<ref name="Skytrak"/> The park, and ''Skytrak'' itself, were short-lived; both closed in 1998.

==Design==

===Vekoma===
[[Image:VekomaFlyer.jpg|right|thumb|Coaster train on the now-defunct [[Firehawk (roller coaster)|Firehawk]] at [[Kings Island]] in reclined position prior to leaving station. The train's direction of travel is to the right.]]
[[Netherlands|Dutch]] roller coaster manufacturer [[Vekoma]] constructed the first large-scale flying roller coaster, ''[[Nighthawk (roller coaster)|Stealth]]'', for [[California's Great America]] in 2000. Nicknamed the 'Flying Dutchman' by Vekoma, ''Stealth'' featured a higher-capacity train with four-across seating. Riders load the trains in an upright sitting position, facing the rear of the train. After the train is fully loaded, a mechanism in the station lower the seats to the track, with the riders on their backs facing the ceiling. After cresting the lift hill, the track twists 180 degrees to flip the riders into the flying position for the rest of the ride. Just prior to reaching the roller coaster's [[Roller coaster elements#Brake run|final brake run]], the track twists again, such that riders are lying on their backs facing upward. After reaching the station, the seats are raised back to loading position.[[File:Flyingrollercoaster.jpg|right|400px|thumb|Diagram showing the difference between a Vekoma Flying Dutchman and Bolliger & Mabillard Flying roller coaster]]
The harness system for the Vekoma flying roller coaster consists of two main elements: the lap bar and the chest harness. After being seated, the operator pulls down the lap bar, which is hinged on the floor of the train. The bar locks into slots in the sides of the seat and secures the waist. Halfway up the bar is a pair of leg restraints, which hold the legs in place during the ride. The rider then fastens the buckles to close the chest harness and secure the upper body. Hand grips are placed at the ends of the arm rests of each seat.

Vekoma would expand upon the 'Flying Dutchman' prototype with two other installations in 2001, ''[[Batwing (roller coaster)|Batwing]]'' for [[Six Flags America]] and ''[[Firehawk (roller coaster)|X-Flight]]'' for [[Geauga Lake]]. Of the three Vekoma Flying Dutchmans, only [[Batwing (roller coaster)|''Batwing'']] remains operating. ''Stealth'' was relocated to [[Carowinds]] where it operated as ''BORG Assimilator'' from 2004 to 2007, and later as ''Nighthawk'' until its closure in 2024, while ''X-Flight'' operated at [[Kings Island]] as [[Firehawk (roller coaster)|''Firehawk'']] until its closure on October 28, 2018.

In 2009, Vekoma debuted a new, more compact flying roller coaster model nicknamed the 'Stingray' which used the same seating configuration as the original Flying Dutchman, but with Vekoma's new track style as well as a vertical lift hill. Its first installation is at the Suzhou Giant Wheel Park in [[Suzhou, Jiangsu|Suzhou]], [[China]], which opened on August 18, 2009. The ride was removed in 2018.<ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Stingray|location=Giant Wheel Park of Suzhou|rcdb_number=4124|access-date=July 20, 2015}}</ref>

In 2014, [[Phantasialand]] in [[Brühl, Germany]] contracted [[Vekoma]] to design and build a new flying roller coaster to be the center piece of a new immersive themed area of the park which would also include the park's third hotel. Noting previous design limitations and issues with other flying coaster models, particularly in regard to capacity as loading procedures were slow and complex. Phantasialand pursued two objectives for the design of their new flying coaster; a simplified and streamlined loading process, and custom layout designed to fit in the limited space (100m by 75m) available as well as height restrictions imposed upon the park. Vekoma spent the next few years designing and testing a prototype system at its factory in Vlodrop, with construction on the new coaster beginning in 2016 and finishing in 2019. In 2019, Phantasialand began a teaser campaign for the new coaster, announcing the name [[F.L.Y. (roller coaster)|F.L.Y.]] (Flying Launch Coaster). On September 17, 2020, F.L.Y. officially opened to the public.

F.L.Y. features a completely brand new loading procedure never before seen on any flying coaster model. Upon entering the station, the track and trains rotate from a prone position 90 degrees onto the side, while the seats, which are two abreast, rotate at the same time so that the passengers move from a prone "flying" position to an upright position. The passengers load into a standard seated position and pull down the over-the-shoulder vest harness. Once secure, the train is dispatched out of the station and proceeds in the upright position through a short dark ride section before the track, train, and seats rotate into the prone flying position.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baldwin |first=Tim |date=November 2020 |title=Phantasialand astounds guests with record-breaking coaster, Rookburgh |url=https://amusementtoday.com/issues/2020/202011-I/assets/downloads/AT-NOV-I-2020i.pdf}}</ref>

In addition to the new loading procedure, F.L.Y. is also the first flying roller coaster to utilize a launch system rather than a lift system. F.L.Y. features two separate [[Linear Synchronous Motor|LSM]] launches that launches trains up to a top speed of 48.5&nbsp;mph (78.1&nbsp;km/h) over 4,055.1 feet (1,236.0 m) of track making it the world's longest flying coaster.<ref>{{Cite web |title=F.L.Y. - Phantasialand (Brühl, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) |url=https://rcdb.com/15201.htm |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=rcdb.com}}</ref>

Since opening, F.L.Y. has been met with overwhelmingly positive reception for its innovative design, riding experience, operations, capacity, and theming that have won the coaster several industry awards.

Vekoma's flying roller coasters have a 54-inch minimum-height requirement.

=== Bolliger & Mabillard ===
[[File:Air (Alton Towers) 01.jpg|right|thumb|[[Galactica (roller coaster)|Galactica]] (''Air'' from 2002 to 2015) at [[Alton Towers]], Bolliger & Mabillard's first flying coaster]]
[[Switzerland|Swiss]] manufacturer [[Bolliger & Mabillard|B&M]] debuted their flying coaster model [[Galactica (roller coaster)|Air]] in 2002, jointly developed with ride designer [[John Wardley]].
Riders take a seating position like on a regular inverted coaster with a chest harness and leglocks. They are then tilted 90° so they assume a frontwards lying position

=== Zamperla ===
[[Image:TheFlyingCoaster.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A [[Zamperla]] flying coaster, [[Soarin' Eagle]], when it operated as ''Flying Coaster'' at [[Elitch Gardens (Amusement Park)|Elitch Gardens]]]]
[[Italy|Italy's]] [[Zamperla]] produces a flying roller coaster model dubbed 'Volare' (Italian for ''"to fly"''). Riders lie down in the cars, which hang from an upper rail at a 45-degree angle. The car is then lifted up into a flying position while holding the riders inside. This model is very compact and affordable (estimated to be US$6 million) and comes with a unique spiral lift hill in which a tall spinning column with two vertical poles connected to it push the cars up the spiral track. The minimum rider height requirement is {{convert|50|inch|cm|sigfig=3}}.

The first Volare debuted as a prototype in 2002 as [[Flying Coaster (Elitch Gardens)|Flying Coaster]] at [[Elitch Gardens Theme Park|Elitch Gardens]], where it operated until 2007. It faced numerous technical issues that were corrected on subsequent models produced by Zamperla. After closing, Flying Coaster was returned to Zamperla, where it was refurbished and installed at [[Coney Island]] as [[Soarin' Eagle]].

Notably, the Volare model is often not met with particularly positive reviews. Roller coaster enthusiasts often describe the model as uncomfortable or rough due to the 'claustrophobic' cage-like nature of the restraint system.

== Installations ==
[[Image:GL-X-Flight.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A former [[Vekoma]] flying roller coaster, [[X-Flight (Geauga Lake)|X-Flight]] formerly at [[Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom|Geauga Lake]]]]
[[Image:Superman- Ultimate Flight.jpg|200px|thumb|A [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] roller coaster, [[Superman: Ultimate Flight]] at [[Six Flags Over Georgia]]]]
[[Image:FLY-Phantasialand-1.jpg|200px|thumb|A [[Vekoma]] launched flying roller coaster, [[F.L.Y. (roller coaster)|F.L.Y.]] at [[Phantasialand]]]]

{| class= "wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name !! Park !! Manufacturer !! Opened !! Status !! class="unsortable" | Ref(s)
|-
| Skytrak || Granada Studios || Skytrak International || 1997 || Removed || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Skytrak|location=Granada Studios|rcdb_number=2380|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| Komet || Encounter Zone || Select Contracts || 1998 || Removed || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Komet|location=Encounter Zone|rcdb_number=2390|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Batwing (roller coaster)|Batwing]] || [[Six Flags America]] || [[Vekoma]] || 2001 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Batwing|location=Six Flags America|rcdb_number=1089|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Galactica (roller coaster)|Galactica]]<br/><small>Formerly ''Air''</small>|| [[Alton Towers]] || [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] || 2002 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Galactica|location=Alton Towers|rcdb_number=1458|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Superman: Ultimate Flight]] || [[Six Flags Over Georgia]] || [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] || 2002 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Superman: Ultimate Flight|location=Six Flags Over Georgia|rcdb_number=1568|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Superman: Ultimate Flight]] || [[Six Flags Great Adventure]] || [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] || 2003 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Superman: Ultimate Flight|location=Six Flags Great Adventure|rcdb_number=1976|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Superman: Ultimate Flight]] || [[Six Flags Great America]] || [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] || 2003 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Superman: Ultimate Flight|location=Six Flags Great America|rcdb_number=1977|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| Hexenbesen || Erlebniswelt Seilbahnen Thale || Wiegand || 2003 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Hexenbesen|location=Erlebniswelt Seilbahnen Thale|rcdb_number=3050|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Nighthawk (roller coaster)|Nighthawk]]<br/><small>Formerly ''BORG Assimilator''</small><br/><small>Formerly ''Stealth''</small>|| [[Carowinds]]<br/><small>[[California's Great America]]</small> || [[Vekoma]]<br/><br/> || 2004<br/><small>2000</small> || Removed<br/><small>Closed 2003</small> || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Nighthawk|location=Carowinds|rcdb_number=2514|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Stealth|location=California's Great America|rcdb_number=583|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| Super Flight || [[Playland (New York)|Playland]] || [[Zamperla]] || 2004 || Removed || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Super Flight|location=Playland|rcdb_number=2561|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Time Warp (roller coaster)|Time Warp]] || [[Canada's Wonderland]] || [[Zamperla]] || 2004 || Removed <ref>{{cite news|last1= Papuckoski|first1=Spiro|title=Canada's Wonderland permanently closes Time Warp roller coaster|url= https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/canadas-wonderland-permanently-closes-time-warp-roller-coaster#:~:text=Canada's%2520Wonderland%2520permanently%2520closes%2520Time%2520Warp%2520roller%2520coaster%2520Back%2520to%2520video&text=A%2520spokesperson%2520for%2520the%2520amusement,the%2520park%2520opens%2520in%2520May.%E2%80%9D|accessdate=March 13, 2025|newspaper=The Toronto Sun|date=March 13, 2025|archiveurl=https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/canadas-wonderland-permanently-closes-time-warp-roller-coaster#:~:text=Canada's%2520Wonderland%2520permanently%2520closes%2520Time%2520Warp%2520roller%2520coaster%2520Back%2520to%2520video&text=A%2520spokesperson%2520for%2520the%2520amusement,the%2520park%2520opens%2520in%2520May.%E2%80%9D|archivedate=March 13, 2025}}</ref>  || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Time Warp|location=Canada's Wonderland|rcdb_number=2516|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| Volare || Wiener Prater || [[Zamperla]] || 2004 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Volare|location=Wiener Prater|rcdb_number=2199|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Trombi (roller coaster)|Trombi]] || [[Särkänniemi]] || [[Zamperla]] || 2005 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Trombi|location=Särkänniemi|rcdb_number=2827|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Tatsu]] || [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]] || [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] || 2006 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Tatsu|location=Six Flags Magic Mountain|rcdb_number=3305|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Crystal Wing]] || [[Happy Valley (amusement parks)|Happy Valley Beijing]] || [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] || 2006 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Crystal Wing|location=Happy Valley|rcdb_number=3141|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Firehawk (roller coaster)|Firehawk]]<br/><small>Formerly ''X-Flight''</small> || [[Kings Island]]<br/><small>[[Geauga Lake]]</small> || [[Vekoma]]<br/><br/> || 2007<br/><small>2001</small> || Removed <br/><small>Closed 2006</small>||<ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Firehawk|location=Kings Island|rcdb_number=3793|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=X-Flight|location=Geauga Lake|rcdb_number=920|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BsOZ8P3hsck/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BsOZ8P3hsck |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Lv.35 Boss on Instagram: "#firehawk #kingsisland #ripfirehawk #itsbigitsgone #demolition #rip #rollercoaster"|website=Instagram|access-date=21 January 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
| [[Manta (SeaWorld Orlando)|Manta]] || [[Sea World Orlando]] || [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] || 2009 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Manta|location=Sea World Orlando|rcdb_number=4190|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| Stingray || Suzhou Giant Wheel Park || [[Vekoma]] || 2009 || Removed || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Stingray|location=Suzhou Giant Wheel Park|rcdb_number=4124|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| Inertia Airplane Car || [[Kaeson Youth Park]] || [[Zamperla]] || 2010 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Inertia Airplane Car|location=Kaeson Youth Park|rcdb_number=9205|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Sky Scrapper]] || World Joyland || [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] || 2011 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Sky Scrapper|location=World Joyland|rcdb_number=8983|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Soarin' Eagle]]<br/><small>Formerly ''Flying Coaster''</small>||[[Luna Park, Coney Island (2010)|Luna Park, Coney Island]] <br/><small>[[Elitch Gardens (Amusement Park)|Elitch Gardens]]</small> || [[Zamperla]] || 2011<br/><small>2002</small> || Operating<br/><small>Closed 2003</small> || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Soarin' Eagle|location=Scream Zone|rcdb_number=9515|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Flying Coaster|location=Elitch Gardens|rcdb_number=1711|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| Hero || [[Flamingo Land Resort]] || [[Zamperla]] || 2013 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Hero|location=Flamingo Land Resort|rcdb_number=11436|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Acrobat (roller coaster)|Acrobat]] || [[Nagashima Spa Land]] || [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] || 2015 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Acrobat|location=Nagashima Spa Land|rcdb_number=12272|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[Harpy (Xishuangbanna Theme Park)|Harpy]] ||Xishuangbanna Theme Park || [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] || 2015 || SBNO || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Harpy|location=Xishuangbanna Theme Park|rcdb_number=11930|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
| [[The Flying Dinosaur]] || [[Universal Studios Japan]] || [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] || 2016 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=The Flying Dinosaur|location=Universal Studios Japan|rcdb_number=12959|access-date=4 December 2015}}</ref>
|-
| Super Glider<br/><small>Formerly ''Flying Coaster''</small>|| Skytropolis Funland<br/><small>Genting Theme Park</small> || [[Zamperla]] || 2019<br/><small>2004</small> || Operating<br/><small>Closed 2013</small> || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Flying Coaster|location=Genting Theme Park|rcdb_number=2945|access-date=30 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| Volare Hiz Kizagi || [[Wonderland Eurasia]] || [[Zamperla]] || 2019 || SBNO || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Volare Hiz Kizagi|location=Wonderland Eurasia|rcdb_number=12020|access-date=17 September 2020}}</ref>
|-
| [[F.L.Y. (roller coaster)|F.L.Y.]] || [[Phantasialand]] || [[Vekoma]] || 2020 || Operating || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=F.L.Y.|location=Phantasialand|rcdb_number=15201|access-date=17 September 2020}}</ref>
|-
| Aurora Flying Coaster || Silk Road Paradise || Jinma Rides ||2023 ||Operating ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aurora Flying Coaster - Silk Road Paradise (Qindu, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China) |url=https://rcdb.com/20164.htm |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=rcdb.com}}</ref>
|}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{commons category|Flying roller coasters}}

{{Rollercoaster tracks}}
{{Bolliger & Mabillard}}
{{Vekoma}}

[[Category:Flying roller coasters| ]]
[[Category:Types of roller coaster]]