October 19, 2012
As you may have heard, we have a new Skycoaster® opening in Australia next year. However, it will not just be any ole’ Skycoaster®, this one will stand 251-feet tall and be the largest dual Skycoaster® in the world. Not too shabby. During 2012 we are celebrating seven years since we purchased Skycoaster®.
If we were to point to one item that sets this ride apart is the unique safety certification program that is a part of owning a Skycoaster®. Most people outside of operations would not know this, but every year each park has to send representatives to Skycoaster® University, a safety program that we host. In addition, we do on-site training to ensure that each team member knows how to safely operate the attraction. Skycoasters® are different from other attractions because they have no computerized plc. The ride system’s execution is put into the hands of the operator, which is why we take safety seriously. This attention to detail is what has led Skycoaster® to have one of the best safety records in the industry.
Getting back to Australia, what will really set this design apart is the look. While it will still be a lattice structure this ride will have 40% less steel than our previous Skycoasters®. From an engineering standpoint that’s a pretty amazing feat. Although there will be less structure, it will offer an amazing experience, dropping riders 246 feet before they graze the grass, speeding just six feet above the ground. Needless to say, the visual aspect of the experience will be amazing.
-AFS