Sky Rocket II

Sky Rocket II
The Sky Rocket II prototype, Superman: Ultimate Flight
StatusIn production
First manufactured2012
No. of installations10
ManufacturerPremier Rides
Height150 ft (46 m)
Length863 ft (263 m)
Speed62 mph (100 km/h)
Capacity500 riders per hour
Riders per vehicle12-18
Restraint StyleLapbar, occasionally Comfort Collar
Inversions1
Sky Rocket II at RCDB

Sky Rocket II is a steel roller coaster model made by American manufacturer Premier Rides. The first Sky Rocket II was Superman: Ultimate Flight at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, which opened on June 30, 2012, and the latest is Sky Loop at Riyadh Winter Wonderland in 2022. The ride model features a height of 150 feet (46 m), a length of 863 feet (263 m), a maximum speed of 62 miles per hour (100 km/h), and includes one inversion. The ride has been noted for its low-cost and small foot-print.[1]

History

The production for the Sky Rocket II model began in with its announcement in 2011 with the introduction of Superman: Ultimate Flight for Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.[2] Originally for the prototype model, there would be two cars with two riders per row with three rows in total, though expandable for other consumers.[3][4] The model for Six Flags opened on June 30, 2012.[5][6] Tempesto at Busch Gardens Williamsburg introduced the model using three cars in 2015.[7]

Design

The 863-foot (263 m) track reaches a height of 150 feet (46 m), the trains are accelerated forward by linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch, but do not reach the maximum altitude and thus travel backwards through the station, continuing to accelerate, almost reaching the apex of the non-inverting loop. In the subsequent forward passage of the station, the trains are accelerated again and thereby reach the maximum height and speed of 62 miles per hour (100 km/h). It is followed by an inline twist, the exit of which leads to a downward dive, which initiates the passage of the non-inverting loop. In the station, the trains are then brought to a halt.[3][4][8]

Zombie Ride at Bosque Mágico is the currently the only Sky Rocket II coaster with a sliding loading platform allowing two train operations. One train is slid into the circuit while the other train is loading at the platform. It is also the only Sky Rocket II to complete two full laps of the circuit. Zombie Ride uses 12 passenger trains like Superman: Ultimate Flight.

Installations

Premier Rides has built ten Sky Rocket II coasters. These are listed by order of opening.

Roller coaster Park Country Opened Status
Superman: Ultimate Flight Six Flags Discovery Kingdom  United States 2012 Operating [6]
Sky Scream Holiday Park  Germany 2014 Operating [9]
Tempesto Busch Gardens Williamsburg  United States 2015 Operating [7]
Zombie Ride Bosque Mágico  Mexico 2015 Relocated (See "Drakko: The Flying Beast") [10]
Phobia Phear Coaster Lake Compounce  United States 2016 Operating [11]
Hype Särkänniemi  Finland 2017 Operating [12]
Sky Rocket Chimelong Paradise  China 2017 Operating [13]
Electric Eel SeaWorld San Diego  United States 2018 Operating [14]
Tigris Busch Gardens Tampa  United States 2019 Operating [15]
Sky Loop Riyadh Winter Wonderland Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia 2022 Relocated (Traveling) [16]
Drakko: The Flying Beast Salitre Mágico Colombia Colombia 2023 Operating [17]
unknown Steel Pier  United States Under construction [18][19]

References

  1. ^ Storey, Ken (June 19, 2018). "It really looks like Busch Gardens Tampa will be getting a new roller coaster next year". Orlando Weekly. Euclid Media Group. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  2. ^ MacDonald, Brady (April 13, 2016). "Compact vertical coasters take thrills to new heights". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Alvey, Robb (November 17, 2011). "IAAPA 2011 Trade Show Part 5 Theme Park Review Premier Rides Lo-Q RGH Ent". Theme Park Review. Retrieved December 23, 2018 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ a b "Premier Rides interview at IAAPA". In the Loop. November 18, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2018 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ MacDonald, Brady (7 June 2012). "Bird? Plane? It's Superman coaster at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Superman Ultimate Flight - Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo, California, USA)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Marden, Duane. "Tempesto - Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, Virginia, USA)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  8. ^ Alvey, Robb (July 21, 2013). "Superman Ultimate Flight Roller Coaster POV Six Flags Discovery Kingdom". Theme Park Review. Retrieved December 23, 2018 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Marden, Duane. "Sky Scream - Holiday Park (Hassloch, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  10. ^ Marden, Duane. "Zombie Ride - Bosque Mágico (Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  11. ^ Marden, Duane. "Phobia Phear Coaster - Lake Compounce (Bristol, Connecticut, USA)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  12. ^ Marden, Duane. "Hype - Särkänniemi Amusement Park (Tampere, Pirkanmaa, Finland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  13. ^ Marden, Duane. "Sky Rocket - Chimelong Paradise (Panyu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  14. ^ Marden, Duane. "Electric Eel - SeaWorld San Diego (San Diego, California, USA)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  15. ^ Marden, Duane. "Tigris - Busch Gardens Tampa (Tampa, Florida, USA)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  16. ^ Marden, Duane. "Sky Loop  (Riyadh Winter Wonderland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  17. ^ Marden, Duane. "drakko: the Flying Beast  (Salitre Mágico)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  18. ^ "unknown - Steel Pier (Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  19. ^ Goldman, Jeff (November 18, 2022). "2 new roller coasters announced for Steel Pier on Atlantic City Boardwalk". NJ.com. Retrieved December 1, 2022.