 | This article possibly contains original research. (October 2012) |
| American Eagle | |||
|---|---|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:American_Eagle_01.JPG) Blue side crests the hill | |||
| Six Flags Great America | |||
| Park section | County Fair | ||
| Coordinates | 42°21′53″N 87°56′01″W / 42.3646°N 87.9336°W | ||
| Status | Operating | ||
| Opening date | May 23, 1981 | ||
| Cost | $10 million | ||
| General Statistics | |||
| Type | Wood – Racing | ||
| Manufacturer | Intamin | ||
| Designer |
Curtis D. Summers James Figley Leonard Wright | ||
| Model | Wooden | ||
| Track layout | Out and back | ||
| Lift/launch system | Chain | ||
| Red | Blue | ||
| Height | 127 ft (38.7 m) | 127 ft (38.7 m) | |
| Drop | 147 ft (44.8 m) | 147 ft (44.8 m) | |
| Length | 4,650 ft (1,417.3 m) | 4,650 ft (1,417.3 m) | |
| Speed | 66 mph (106.2 km/h) | 66 mph (106.2 km/h) | |
| Inversions | 0 | 0 | |
| Duration | 2:23 | 2:23 | |
| Max vertical angle | 55° | 55° | |
| Capacity | 1800 riders per hour | ||
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) | ||
| Trains | 4 2-Blue 2-Red trains with 5 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 30 riders per train. | ||
 Must transfer from wheelchair | |||
|
American Eagle at RCDB Pictures of American Eagle at RCDB | |||
American Eagle is a wooden racing roller coaster located at Six Flags Great America theme park in Gurnee, Illinois. It was the first wooden roller coaster designed by Intamin of Switzerland and was built in 1981 by the contracting firm Figley-Wright at a cost of $10 million. While most of the records have since been broken, American Eagle had the longest drop and fastest speeds among wooden roller coasters when it debuted and is still recognized as a top racing coaster in the United States.