Sky Rocket topped off at Kennywood
Posted
[Ed. note: The following is an unedited press release from Premier Rides. -J]
Premier Rides’ newest multi-million dollar installation, the Sky Rocket at Kennywood Park, was successfully topped off by ironworkers this week. The final 70 foot track section weighing over 8 tons was carefully installed ten stories up in the air at the highest point of the ride.
Jim Seay, President of Premier Rides commented, “We are extremely proud to reach this milestone and extra proud that we are providing an attraction that has generated hundreds of manufacturing and ironworker jobs right here in the United States.”
Sky Rocket’s magnetic launch technology makes this coaster one of Kennywood’s most exciting attractions in the park. Kennywood’s new launch coaster will feature many exciting and unique elements including three inversions and a 0-80km/hr (50mph) launch in two seconds. After the high-speed launch, riders will experience a vertical ascent to 95 feet before a brief cliffhanger pause at the top and a 90-degree drop into a maximum G-force pullout. The riders will then enjoy extended airtime as the train races into an inverted top hat element, passes into a barrel roll, and goes vertical again through a twist up leading to another pause. Riders experience a second vertical free fall followed by another maximum G-force pullout on the way into a highly banked fan curve. After a twisted corkscrew, a curve to a zero gravity hill, and a series of wave turns, riders finally return to the station.
See also: Sky Rocket at Kennywood in the CoasterBuzz database.
Related parks
I guess Kennywood treated the coaster enthusiasts to one ride apiece last night as part of Coaster Con. A trusted and respected friend reports that the ride was, and somewhat surprisingly, tons of fun. The speed was good, the tower element had lots of air on the way over, (think Hypersonic), and the hangtime before the first drop was just right. The trains are comfortable with only a lap restaint, the ride is ultra smooth and the elements, especially the first zero-g roll inversion, are pretty near perfect. He seemed to think with two trains there should be decent capacity, and his opinion was that we might/should see more of these Premier machines pop up, (particularly in medium-sized parks where they can't always install giants.)
While the park is still shooting for the advertised opening date, the station and surrounding area still had lots of work left - for instance they had homemade barriers in the staion where fences were still missing. They were very careful to control the crowd, there was no seat choosing, and a handstamp prevented repeat rides. The ride was definitely offered while still in the test phase, but he reports overall the reviews were great.
Does anyone know the restraints used on this ride? Are they the Maverick style. Seems like a much more controlled launch, heartline rolls and fun swerving. Son will be there early July and hopes to ride.
I would think it would probably be the same baisc lap restraints most Premiers have. KPJB, is that what was on these trains?
I think there is also a leg or ankle restraint.
884 Coasters, 34 States, 7 Countries
http://www.rollercoasterfreak.com My YouTube
Yeah, I should have just said restraint since the Premier has the ankle/lap restraint thingy going on. Still one of the best restraints out there in my opinion.
^They're not Anton lappies, but they seem to satisfy the insurers and they're infinitely better than the Intamin OTSRs....and they can make for some pretty quick dispatches.
You still have Zoidberg.... You ALL have Zoidberg! (V) (;,,;) (V)
Yeah, your feet are restrained by the bottom of the bar. The lap bar portion is really well padded and very comfortable.
Hi
My only grip with any of the Premier restraints is on FOF at KI. They have added a couple of wire ties around the ankle padding. A few of them have the buckle thingy sticking up right where your ankle contacts the pad. OUCH
Before you can be older and wiser you first have to be young and stupid.
You must be logged in to post
