Flying Coasters - Head-to-Head-to Head

Well, I've gotten back from D.C., and have now experienced all three Vekoma flying coasters. So here's my assessment: Stealth - the original, gets points for being the first, but it gets docked a little for short ride time/track length. X-Flight, second in operation, gets points for double-training during the week (a lot of points in comparison to Batwing at SFA). But that doesn't really affect the ride, only my rating. X-Flight has the nice helix and all the good Flying coaster elements, but I have to give the nod to Batwing as the best ride. The high-banked turns, the view of the park, etc., I preferred over the other Vekoma flyers. Given the operating policies of the parks, X-Flight's reduced wait is a big plus, however.

-------------
rollergator - intent on improving the "guest experience" - coming soon to a park near you

How can you judge X-Flight and Batwing when they have the same elements. I can see why you like Batwing because the view of the park but they are same ride.

-------------
Current Favorite Coasters:
1)Raging Bull 2)Millennium Force 3)Medusa (SFMW) 4)Vertical Velocity (SFGAm) 5)Dueling Dragons (Ice)

I thought the view from X-Flight was more of the parking lot and the ground below, whereas on Batwing I saw more of the park. Just makes it a little better ride for me, but I certainly loved all of them.

-------------
rollergator - intent on improving the "guest experience" - coming soon to a park near you

It's like comparing B:TR to Great White, or B:TR to B:TR. It's like comparing Raptor to Orochi. Comparing Shockwave to GASM (or maybe even Viper.) It all depends on themeing. When they are clones, you like them better if they are themed better and have a better view. Thats why it's simple to compare clones. The one I want to ride most if X-Flight, just because that park has a number of rides I want to go on, even if the theming isn't as good as Batwing's.


-------------
Do your own homework!

Okay so GW I only have one question: Are the inline twists better than the corkscrews? I do not like the inlines on Bat-Flight and think the on your back corkscrew would be better (as the on your back loop is my favorite part). Your thoughts?
jeremy

-------------
"Nobody writes about the planes that land." Steve Salerno Washington Times 7-10-01

I rode Stealth back in June and highly prefer the inline twists over the on-your-back corkscrews. All the corkscrews feel like are elongated in line twists that offer pretty much little thrill.

X Factor

-------------
SFWoA: An Unofficial Guide
http://sfohio.tripod.com

stealth has a nice view also.. and with the sunset.. all good and gravy

-------------
Kinetic Zero's homepage ~~~~ www.kineticzero.com

Personally I think Stealth is the best. It's the first ever, and I think it's the best ever. The G's you pull on the loop are amazing. The waits arent bad either (When I go).