Skycoaster

Skycoaster
A typical Skycoaster arch tower.
Ride statistics
ManufacturerRide Entertainment Group
DesignerWilliam Kitchen & Ken Bird
ModelSingle Swing
Dual Swing
Height100 ft – 300 ft
A typical Skycoaster's entire structure, including the lifting towers and the main arch
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 100–300 feet (30.5–91.4 m).[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 (found at several Six Flags parks) or Xtreme Skyflyer (found at several Cedar Fair parks).

  1. ^ "Skycoaster®". Ride Entertainment. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  2. ^ "The Experience". Ride Entertainment. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  3. ^ Rose, Mindy (24 May 1995). "Lagoon amuses patrons with 'Skycoaster' ride". The Signpost. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Famous Skycoasters". Ride Entertainment. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Skycoaster® Heads to Mexico". Ride Entertainment. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Skycoaster® Soars". Ride Entertainment. Retrieved 30 January 2020.