Thrust Air 2000: Difference between revisions

A Thrust Air 2000 (commonly known as a thrust air coaster) is a unique form of launched roller-coaster created by S&S Power that uses refrigerated, compressed air to shoot a rubber-wheeled car down a steel track. There are two production models in existence, the HyperSonic XLC, and the world-famous Dodonpa, which used to be the fastest roller coaster in the world.

Hypersonic XLC riders go over the main hill.

About developer

The president and founder of S&S Power, Inc., Stan Checketts was originally a furniture- and cabinet maker. In 1989 he and his wife, Sandy Checketts, founded Sports Tower, which developed hugely popular vertical bungee-jump pillars. In January of 1993 they created their second enterprise, S&S Sports, Inc. It created the Trampoline Thing, a bungee jump/trampoline combination. This company was eventually sold, so in 1993, they created their last company, S&S Power, Inc. Under this company, the developed the Space Shot, a drop tower type attraction where the passenger rigs are shot up the tower by Ingersoll-Rand screw type compressed air motors at 50 mph. Later, they developed another type of drop tower called the Turbo Drop, which shot passengers down the tower at 40 mph. These compressed air towers were the precursors to the Thrust Air 2000.

Prototype

The prototype Thrust Air 2000 was made in 1999 at the S&S Power plant in Utah.

Stats

• Height: 165 ft. (50 m)
• Climb: 90 degrees
• Drop: 90 degrees
• Acceleration: 0-80mph (0-128.5kph) in 1.8 sec
• Top Speed: about 80mph (161kph)
• Launch System: Ingersoll-Rand screw type compressor
• Track layout: Out-and-back roller coaster
• Track type: I-beam

See also

• Accelerator coaster

External links

• Page about Thrust Air 2000
• Page about Hypersonic XLC

References

Coker, Robert. Roller Coasters: A Thrill Seeker's Guide to the Ultimate Scream Machine. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006.