Where have all the Thrust Air's Gone?

Why aren't any parks getting them. I know its not even 2 seasons old but they are amazing. Doponda runs fine as far as I know so the problems are most likely gone on new models. What parks would these coasters make a nice addition to ?

From what I have heard Dodopana doesn't run fine. Quite a few Buzzer's have been to Fujiaka and none of them have got to ride Dodopana. I think this shows a lot as to why there are only 2 out there. Unless reliability issues are resolved and someone goes out on a limb to buy one i don't know if we will see many more if any.

They don't have the greastest capacity, but I wouldn't mind seeing one closer to where I live.

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“If you give a enthusiast a footer.......He’ll want a coaster!!!"

Well, let's see...

The fact that S&S apparently had no involvement in the modification of Hypersonic leads me to believe they took a "not our problem" approach. If that's true, they've alienated the Paramount parks.

Cedar Fair is still apparently negotiating with them to create some closure on the VertiGones. You won't see them buying in I'm sure.

Six Flags I think has for now decided they're in no hurry to buy more prototype rides, as they've been burned enough with X and the Deja Vu's.

That leaves the larger European and Asian parks to buy, as I doubt there are many other parks in the US that could afford it.

Then there's the bigger problem: I think most people would agree that after the launch, there just ain't much to it.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"Let's stop saying 'don't quote me,' because if no one quotes you, you probably haven't said a thing worth saying." - Dogma, KMFDM

Jeff said:

1) Six Flags I think has for now decided they're in no hurry to buy more prototype rides, as they've been burned enough with X and the Deja Vu's.
2) Then there's the bigger problem: I think most people would agree that after the launch, there just ain't much to it.

On the first point here, I think SF pointed a loaded rifle at their OWN foot, and am not awfully surprised that Arrow and Vekoma were "caught in the crossfire".....the ONLY mfr. out there with enough financial clout to get involved in a "dispute" with SF and survive would be B&M.....IMO.

On the second point, we're in TOTAL agreement.....hey, it happens.....but H:XLC does have one awesome launch...:0

Too bad. I really believe that they could build some really incredible roler coasters out of the Thrust Air concept. Where are the more complicated footprints?

I hope they build some more. If they made the train a little longer the capacity could be better. I loved Hypersonic.

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-Sean

Maybe it is just me... but who needs a TA2k when you can have an Intamin Rocket? :-D

Im in agreement. There really isn't much to the ride after the launch. The launch is good, however, once you hit the top of Hypersonic, not much after that. Actually, the ride seemed kind of rough, was not making smooth transitions. Seemed like the train crawled over the top.

In today's market, parks are looking for capacity rides. Rides that will thrill, but also move the most people. The Thrust Airs dont do that right now. Even with a longer layout, only one train would still be on the course.

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Take a Virtual Ride:
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Mike "Viper" Semtak

SGgadvMAN:

The short train is essential to the short vertical hills of the Thrust Air Coasters. That vertical hill with the tight radius at the top requires a short train to keep the forces on the riders reasonable, but fun. Run a long train on one of those hills, and the people in the middle would get no negative Gs while people at the end would get too much negative. (Contrary to what Markey says, ride designers do think a great deal about the effect of forces on riders.) With a longer train, the hill would have to be much more like a conventional rollercoaster hill. It might still be a good ride, but it would be very different.

I don't mind Hypersonic's length in the least. Short & intense. Nothing worse than a ride with a boring part(s), keep it short, shorten the dull, plus, I can't complain about going 80 on a small track in a short area, it's like driving down a small, busy narrow street going 60, insanity.

The concept should be expanded, I'll agree with that. But, as is, it's better, as a ride, not comparing it to too many coasters, than say any drop towers I've tried to ride. I don't even think they're finished with H:XLC as it is, so the final verdict isn't in. It DID seem smoother last season, though.......

About us buzzers who have been there and haven't ridden it (I think there's 5 of us).l I think most of us were there before it opened, but after it was planned to be. Since it opened, I think only PT300 has been there but was unable to ride it because he only could stay at the park an hour. Not saying it doesn't have it's problems, I'm sure it does.

I was initially very excited about the TA2Ks, and was even more so after my first ride on XLC, but now I think that the Intamin Rocket Coaster is everything the TA2Ks are and much more. (CAPACITY!)

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- Peabody

Jim Fisher- I thought that might be why. Dodonpa's train look awesome though.

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-Sean

*** This post was edited by SFgadvMAN on 8/12/2002. ***

I have to say at the risk of angering a few people, launched coasters had better have some "substance" after the launch to hook me. Where are the full layouts? Why do these rides always turn into one trick ponies?

I find Hypersonic and Xcelerator to be boring, and not nearly worth the wait. On the other hand, I really like Volcano(which blows the paint off Hypersonic) and Premier's launchers.

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"Escuse me, can you tell me where the heck the Mystery Lodge is"?

*** This post was edited by OutKast on 8/12/2002. ***

Reliability? What reliability? That seems like a word that shouldn't be used in the same sentence as "launched coaster".

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PLEASE READ: This post wasn't meant to offend or anger anyone; I apologize in advance if it does. So please don't post a reply just to rant about it. :)

I still need my share of Xcelerator. I myself agree with OutKast. Most launch coaster dont do as much as a coaster with the traditional lift do. The one thing on my mind though, is that the trains dont appear to be able to do a whole lot.

Although there are only 2 TA2K's, both have so much straight track and wide turns, that it doesnt appear to me that the trains can handle too much menouvering.

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#1-MF #2-S:RoS #3-WT

I'm just the opposite of OutKast. I thought FOF did too much wandering around. Same goes for Rock N' Rollercoaster. I might be the only one on the face of the planet that does not mind a ride being "too short." As long is it's action packed, I'm all for it.

Both Hypersonic and Oblivion easily could have used another element or two, but I still enjoyed them both.

And I was SO close to riding Dodonpa, yet it was closed for the day. With all the problems Hypersonic has had, I don't think it would be a wise choice for a park to purchase one.
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TOGO!

I think the manuevers are so wide because the train is travelling at such a high speed and they don't back hills that high.

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I do agree that Hypersonic is short and Volcano is better but it is still a great coaster and I rode it the first time this season a little under a week ago and it was smooth as glass.

SFNE Freak - what's the highest a hill is backed?

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Matthew "confused" Sullivan
[aka DaDoosh, thanks to pikfanatic]

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh on 8/12/2002. ***