Does anyone like flying coasters

I counted Stealth/Borg as 2. ;P

DWeaver: We haven't established anything. You keep saying Vekoma layouts are boring and the two people who have responded to you have disagreed. I agree that a custom B&M would probably be better than a custom Vek (though I would miss the top half flip dearly), but that has no bearing on the current layouts being produced.

ActuallyI think I stated that it is the *B&M* versions that have boring layouts (re-read my post). What I was saying is that IMO, the Vekoma models are unispired as well, as well as a host of other problems.

Overall, these coasters could seriously benefit from custom layouts, with B&M coming out on top because they are just better designed.

Get it now? :) *** Edited 8/7/2004 4:06:22 AM UTC by DWeaver***

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ApolloAndy said:
What's uninteresting about a Vekoma flyer layout?

I think Jeff put it best. They really don't offer anything new, other than the gimmick. You throw in the Vekoma rattle, and low capacity and I'm sorry, that is not my idea of a good time. Let me make this clear however, I don't begrudge anyone else from knocking themselves out if they like em. :)

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B&M = blah

Vekoma = I'm not really enjoying this

Zamperla = GET ME THE HELL OFF

LOL Peabody!

Anyways, I agree that we need to see a new layout for a flyer. Someone also mentioned that the inlines on Vekoma's model hurt. I still don't understand why neither B&M nor Vekoma use Intamin's style of the zero-g roll on their flyers. Intead of having the trains go through the inversion, they seem to be whipped around the inversion. Shouldn't the center of gravity go right through your body?

Obviously I'm not an engineer so I have no clue what I'm talking about. However, I am an enthusiast and having ridden both X-Flight and S:UF I vote for B&M's version. Sure the layout might be boring, but the thrill of being in such an awkward position has never worn off for me...

^That's actually the first thing that did wear off for me. The first time I rode a flyer (Batwing), I loved it. It was a completely different experience the first time around. The second time, however, the novelty of riding in the flying position was already wearing thin.

So far Batwing is still my only flyer, and of course I'll ride the others when I have the chance. But when I have a season pass to SFA, you can count on me riding Batwing only once or twice a year.

Craig - I'm not sure about the answer to your question, but on the Intamin and B&M inverts and B&M sitdowns, the axis of roll is not anywhere near the riders' hearts.

http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forum.aspx?mode=thread&TopicID=34578

A random thought not based in any relatity at all: ;)
A spin through the center of the train would cause one side of the train to be headed down first. i.e. You'd be flying and then the seat would push you downwards first. I don't know why this is a bad thing, but maybe it'd smack you in the back of the head or you'd flop around in the restaints too much.

Someone needs to slap you in the back of the head, Andy...

:)

I like when people quote me and do not understand what I said. "Not to offend anyone, but the only people I hear complain about coasters "generally" are the enthusiasts and not the general public. You make it sound as if I said only the coaster enthusiasts complain. Nowhere in my post did I say this.

IF (big BIG if here) the Vekomas simply lost the "signature feature" (i.e., the rattle), and ran two trains efficiently and consistently, I think *I* would be one of those people waiting a half-hour to ride....routinely.

That being said, if the Beemas were *heavily themed* and....ENCLOSED....I think they could be VERY interesting rides....but they DO need something other than the pretzel loop.

Personally, I like Flyers, and do not think that they are a novelty ride that will die off soon like the stand-ups. However, that being said, none of the Flyers I've ridden are near the top of my coaster faves. They're good rides, not great (with the exception of the Zamperla Volares, which aren't even good).

The GP does "eat them up", and it is a very exciting concept to most people who ride them, looking for a new and unique experience on a coaster. I do have to say that if the layouts don't become more advanced, and terrain is better used to enhance the ride, they would suffer the same fate as the Stand-Ups. However, there is so much untapped potential in the way of theming and terrain use, that the future of Flyers could be very exciting indeed.

Only time will tell if parks start stepping up and getting custom layouts from B&M (I too feel that we probably won't see any more "new" Vekoma models), and take advantage of the possibilities. But if they do, I think that the GP, and even enthusiasts, will like the results. :)

The only flying coaster I've been was X-Flight and I thought it was awsome, although i'm willing to go and love just about every coaster out there! lol :) *** Edited 8/8/2004 2:35:15 PM UTC by DC2Beltz3***

Boy was Batwing running rough as hell yesterday with the traditional vekoma rattle,add to that single train op & you've got a rather bland ride experience.

The problem on the inlines is that you're being pulled up(if you're in the outside left seats) while being thrown around in the restraints too much.

Now onto the novelty comparison with stand ups,I think more flyers will be built,as can more standups...I think the problem with the stand up that led to it's demise was that the larger layouts(Mantis,Riddler,Chang) created higher G loads that the peeps just don't like,for some reason peeps like the smaller stand ups like SW or GS & will line up for hours to ride them.

Now compare that to the mega woodies & their unpopularity(MS,TG,SOB etc.) when you build too high with wood it just gets to darn rough & unbearable to ride.

Am I the only one who thinks the above post is very ironic?

I agree with Andy about the flip at the top of the Vekomas being great. I love all flying coasters, and never was uncomfortable at any time while riding. It seems as if some of you were 'trying' to not like them.

All I can really comment on is Batwing, but the first time I rode it, I found the flip at the top of the hill to be a revelatory experience, and the vertical loop popped every joint in my back at the same time (saving me a trip to a chiropractor). But I have never had another ride on it quite like that -- the flip only worked for me the first time I rode it, and I haven't gotten quite the same g-load in the loop for some reason (or maybe I've been riding in a slightly different position). Add to that the fact that I find the restraints uncomfortable (I see bruises on my shoulders the next day) and the capacity absolutely blows, and I don't bother anymore. Last year when I had a season pass to the park I could ride Batwing once and get bruises and little pleasure, or I could ride S:ROS like 4 or 6 times in the front seat in the same amount of time and get great airtime. Which do you think I chose? :-)

From what I hear, SFA is having capacity issues with S:ROS, so I haven't bothered with a season pass this year and haven't been there. Maybe things have changed. . . .

Well I don't mind flying coasters UNLESS you get stuck on them while in the flying position. That is really no fun, trust me... ;)

I don't think the bigger standups are too forceful. Mantis w/o trims was pretty intense, but Riddler's was like walking on a cloud. Bigger and faster don't neccesarily mean more intense.

Chang gives a slightly intense ride(I kind of dig it). I definately noticed force on my legs. I still think the smaller ones such as Iron Wolf are 'more' forcefull.

Prabe:what with S:ROS's capacity issues you can get on Batwing running single train op a helluva lot faster than on supes running two train op these days.