Sky Lab at PKI - CoasterBuzz

Why was it taken out. I remember that when it was, someone told us they couldn't get a part from a German manufacturer. I don't know if this has been asked before, and I know it's OLD, but it came up today while we were at PKI. Anyone know?

Eric

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That is alllll........

The ride was manufactured by HUSS of Germany. They could have gotten the part if they wanted, if that IS the truth. Personally, I believe the ride was constantly breaking down and was more trouble than it was worth. So, since the ride didn't bring people through the gates, it was decided to be removed.

Last I heard it was sold in Mexico somewhere

The hyrdraulic arm on the ride was badly in need of repair, and it would've cost more to repair the ride than to just buy a new ride. The thing is they never bought that new ride, and just stuck some pay-per-rides in there and called it a day. That area is perfect for a flat ride, and I have no idea why PKI doesn't utilize it.

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It failed three times. The hydraulics werte replaced time after time but it continued to fail.

I was present when the arm failed for the last time. The park basically used the three strickes your out method. It failed three times, and the park had enough.

It was only one of three giants ever installed TMK, and only one remains... Wonderlands. Even it sat dormant for a time when it experienced the same issues.

Shaggy

I really think that we need our skylab back. I loved that ride and I only rode it twice. I don't think we'll get one back though :(. Paramount really needs to stop their fix on pay per rides. We have 5 or 6 plus all the games. Although those things rack up some major dough Paramount needs to stop getting stuck on these and this is not something Kings Island alone would have done.

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Can we change the name of Top Gun to your mom so no one wants to ride your mom?

Shaggy,

Did you see it fail for the third time? What exactly happens?

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I'm with you there Teenage Ninja,first PKD removed their "apple turnover" enterprise a few years back and more recently SFA has removed their "sky escaper" enterprise ride,both rides at both parks were removed apparently due to a lack of spare parts to keep them operational.

It really makes you wonder what the longevity of an average flat ride is.

Yes I saw it.

The hydraulic arm just failed and the ride dropped suddenly to the flat position... still spinning. It landed with a big "THUD" and no one was hurt.

Shaggy

by sky lab do u mean sky tower or is it something else?

I was always wondering what happened. But we just heard that they couldn't get a part, althought I didn't really believe it all that much. That is interesting though.

djhush: This is what a sky lab is: http://www.hussrides.com/517ClassicSkyLab.htm

Eric

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That is alllll........

*** This post was edited by eric.walton on 6/14/2002. ***

They probably were getting sick of shelling out for parts. I know they could easily get a part because they have other huss rides in the park (Troika) and maybe some other stuff. Anybody else in here like flat rides? I need to take a trip up to Americana to sample them!

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Can we change the name of Top Gun to your mom so no one wants to ride your mom?

PGA still has an operating Enterprise called the Orbit. In fact here is a pic of it a night that i took.

http://gathrills.homestead.com/SpecialFeatures_POW.html

The ride just got some love'n this year with a new sign a paint job.

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Yes I do work for the site www.greatamericanthrills.com. Thanx for asking!

The difference is PKI's was, and PCW's is, a GIANT Enterprise. Those found at other parks are standard models.

The Giants are called "giants" because of their increased size and ability to fit more riders. On a standard Enterprise, the carriages only hold two riders. On a Huss Giant Enterprise, each car held up to 4 riders. (Each car has two compartments holding two riders each.)

The greater weight necessitated a much larger hydraulic arm that required more power behind it. The arm had a much greater weight to carry due to nearly double the pasengers on board. Thus the arms are prone to fail, and the hydraulics prove so costly that numerous replacements overrun the revenue benefits the ride generates.

Shaggy

Does CP have one of these. I know they have an interprise, but is it giant? I dont really remember.

Thank you for the knowledge!

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Yes I do work for the site www.greatamericanthrills.com. Thanx for asking!

Thanks again Shaggy, the worlds smartest man, just messin man. Ya that thing was freakin huge. Maybe Huss will bring it back out and do it right and PKI can get another one. I sure hope they do.

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Can we change the name of Top Gun to your mom so no one wants to ride your mom?

Wow the skylab is a huge ride!, it lets 2-4 people per car vs 1-2 people, is it also larger the normal enterprise rides?