Flying Turns Update

Eliminating oil from the chain is one thing, but what about the casters? No oil there? Just curious. The water thing is interesting.

The green runway lights look AWESOME! I was very surprised at how quiet the ride is. I thought the sound would be rather amplified by all that trough, but it's very stealthy.

Anyone notice what looked to be an awesome pop of airtime as the train leaves the helix and hops onto the second lifthill? :)

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Rob Ascough said:From what I've seen of the trains, they are really something special. I'd say I can't wait for this ride to debut but that's like saying the sun is hot.

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Agreed 1000%, and even more agreed?

Climbing into the station, I almost caught myself genuflecting. Just plain wow... :):):):):)

Normally, I'd consider that emoticon-overkill, but this is the TURNS...

P.S. Was it me, or were both Phoenix AND Twister running VERY well. I mean, it's Knoebels and PPP, and it's always a phabulous time...but I was kinda thinking that with KFT coming down to the wire like that that Phoenix might be a little sluggish, or Twister slightly out of gauge...neither was even REMOTELY close to happening. Airtime on Phoenix was as strong as ever (gotta LOVE that Schmeck seat) and Twister was as smooth as I've experienced in years of visits...

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rollergator said:

Airtime on Phoenix was as strong as ever (gotta LOVE that Schmeck seat)

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Yes, I noticed. Did they have to pry you outathere at 10:00? :)

^I K'never leave K'noebels... ;)

Finally got two days' worth this year...PPPlanning on doing the same next year... :)

The trains on Turns? Well, as a noted train enthusiast, the last time I was this happy was sitting in the last row of CI's Cyclone... ;)

Standing on the platform, watching the train go up the lift brought tears to my eyes.

Even though the trains are really cool, I was disappointed that they're not like the original trains and they're missing the famous FT wings. (at least for now)

Mike

The Turns is definitely a beautiful ride, even more than I ever imagined. I love the lighting and that station is exceptional. The coaster scores on visuals alone, and that's before Dick gets to ride the thing.

Phoenix seems to be a model of consistency. I can't ever remember a time when it felt anything less than perfect, and this past seaosn was no exception. As for Twister, there was a short section near the end of the helix that didn't feel 100%, but it wasn't close to being bad. Twister is one of those rides that continues to grow on me, even though it's almost a decade old. No doubt it's still one of my favorites and Knoebels makes sure it remains so.

I have some pictures from the Flying Turns in my PPP gallery at http://www.pbase.com/jim_shaffer/ppp07

Acoustic Viscosity: I had heard that there would be a speed bump after the exit from the helix, but I completely forgot to look for it at PPP.

Rollergator: There was lots of new wood on Twister, much of it installed in just the last two weeks (pretty much in the spots where, three weeks ago, I said "gee, they're going to need new wood there soon.")

Now a possible down note: I shot some video of one of the test runs of the Flying Turns. From the time it enters the main section after the second lift to the time it enters the brake run, it's only about 25 seconds. Granted, it will be the weirdest 25 seconds in coasterdom, but it's still 25 seconds. I didn't time the helix, but I'm sure it'll be shorter.

The ride will be short. I rode the CI Bobsled (which this is a mirror image of with some differences) and it was over before you knew it, but the ride leaves an impression...guarantee.

Perhaps with three trains and a super short time the line won't be that long to work your way through. I will be interested in the Helix section (which was not on the CI design or Riverview FT) and I am sure this ride will be a winning point in Knoebels continued sucess.

Perhaps with this ride rebuilt and being popular could it be a Virginia Reel or Top Coaster may make a return as well? *** Edited 10/9/2007 11:12:37 PM UTC by OlympicParkFan***

And perhaps a park with a lot of 'coaster credibility' and integrity... like say uh... HOLIDAYWORLD will build one :)

That's one of the few places that could do it right...

^I was thinking about that too. Could fit in the Christmas section somewhere?

This ride looks great. Hopefully capacity is not an issue.

I think capacity will be a big issue when an enthusiast event is being held at the park.

I don't know, if they can dispatch a train of 10 people every 30-40 seconds-- which they're going to have to do to keep 3 trains going continuously, that capacity isn't too bad.

Quick math: 1 train (10 ppl) per minute = 600 pph Every 45 seconds = 800 pph Every 40 seconds = 900 pph

RGB,

From what they were saying at the park though, they are hoping to get about 300pph. Not too bad for a normal operating day, but for PPP, not so much.

I still can't wait to go back next year and ride this thing. My wife missed out this year and I made it mandatory that she attends next year.

~Rob Willi

I heard 500pph was their target figure. It doesn't matter. I'll wait as long as it takes.

The more people waiting for KFT the less waiting for Phoenix! ;)

I think 300 is a bit conservative. If you think about it, that's one full train every 2 minutes (30 trains per hour). That's not 2 minutes to cycle, unload, reload and dispatch. That's Train 1 leaves, then 2 minutes later Train 2 leaves.

When I asked about dispatching, one of the crew told me they could have 3 trains out on the course continuously. I mentioned that didn't sound like much time between trains, and the guy just shrugged.

Can you imagine riding FT in total darkness?

*** Edited 10/10/2007 9:07:02 PM UTC by RatherGoodBear***

The three lift hills will certainly create a nice separation between each train, provided they are all moving at the same time... which is unlikely.

I realize this is a few weeks late, but I just got around to uploading my pics from Phoenix Phall Phunfest. I'm working on peicing all the video I got from the test runs tha day as well. I'll post it ASAP.

What is this?

http://rollercoasterfreak.com/2007_ACE_Events/Phoenix_Phall_Phunfest/Image_IMGP5880.JPG

^Looks like the top of a silo. Or a really big hat!