Batwing (roller coaster)
{{Short description|Steel flying roller coaster}}
{{For|roller coaster element with the same name|List of roller coaster elements#Batwing}}
{{Infobox roller coaster
| name = Batwing
| image = SFA-Batwing.jpg
| caption =
| location = Six Flags America
| section = Gotham City
| type = Steel
| type2 = Flying
| manufacturer = Vekoma
| designer = Vekoma
| model = Flying Dutchman (1018m)
|track layout =
| status = Operating
| opened = June 16, 2001
| closed =
| lift = Chain lift hill
| height_ft = 115
| drop_ft = 103
| length_ft = 3340
| speed_mph = 50
| duration = 2:02
| angle = 33
| inversions = 5
| capacity = 850
| gforce = 4.3
| restriction_in= 54-78
| trains=2
| carspertrain=6
| rowspercar=1
| ridersperrow=4
| virtual_queue_name = Flash Pass
| virtual_queue_image = Fastpass availability icon.svg
| virtual_queue_status= Available
| rcdb_number= 1089
| coordinates = {{coord|38|54|37|N|76|46|43|W|display=title,inline|region:US-MD_type:landmark_source:dewiki}}
}}
Batwing is a steel flying roller coaster built by Vekoma at Six Flags America in Prince George's County, Maryland. The ride is a clone of the now-defunct Firehawk at Kings Island, and similar to the also-defunct Nighthawk at Carowinds, however that ride had a slightly different ending, and different paint scheme.
After the closure of Nighthawk at Carowinds in 2024, Batwing is the only operating Vekoma Flying Dutchman.
History
In February 2001, it was confirmed that Six Flags America would be receiving Batwing. This attraction would be a Vekoma Flying Dutchman coaster themed to Batman. It would be built towards the back of the park in the Gotham City section. Although the ride was set to open in May 2001, the opening was delayed. On June 16, 2001, Batwing officially opened to guests. It was the first flying roller coaster on the East Coast.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/february01/stories/021501_01.shtml|title=Incredible Flying Coaster Coming to Six Flags America|publisher=Ultimate Rollercoaster}}
On May 1, 2025, Six Flags announced that the Six Flags America park will close at the end of the 2025 season on November 2, 2025.{{cite web|first=Ittai|last=Sopher|title=Six Flags in Bowie to close later this year|url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/entertainment/six-flags-america-closing-maryland-bowie-prince-georges-county/65-4819a65c-6f98-4357-b1be-d139f04ba551|website=WUSA (TV)|date=May 1, 2025|access-date=May 1, 2025}} The status on the future of the Batwing roller coaster was not given at the time of the announcement.{{cite web|first=Peter|last=Marzano|title=Six Flags America, Hurricane Harbor to close after 2025 season, company announces|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/six-flags-america-hurricane-harbor-to-close-after-2025-season-company-announces/3735849/|website=WMAQ-TV|date=May 1, 2025|access-date=May 1, 2025}}
Ride experience
=Track=
The steel track is approximately {{Convert|3340|ft|adj=off}} in length and the height of the lift is approximately {{Convert|115|ft|adj=off}}.{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Batwing|location=Six Flags America|rcdb_number=1089|accessdate=November 17, 2012}}
Batwing has a total of five inversions. It features one vertical loop, two inline twists, two "Lie to Fly" and two "Fly to Lie" elements. Each "Lie to Fly" and "Fly to Lie" element is counted as a half inversion.{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Lie to Fly|location=|rcdb_number=8886|accessdate=November 7, 2012}}{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Fly to Lie|location=|rcdb_number=8880|accessdate=November 7, 2012}} A "Lie to Fly" element is when riders are on their backs, facing the sky and they are flipped and face the ground.{{cite web|title=Flying Coasters|url=http://www.coasterforce.com/coasters-pages/coaster-types/flying-coasters|publisher=Coaster Force|accessdate=November 7, 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324070745/http://www.coasterforce.com/coasters-pages/coaster-types/flying-coasters|archivedate=March 24, 2013}} A "Fly to Lie" element is the opposite.
=Layout=
Once riders are seated and restrained, the train tilts backwards into a 'lay-down' position and dispatches. The train travels backwards out of the station, turns left and travels up the {{convert|115|ft|adj=on}} lift hill at a 33-degree angle. Once the train reaches the top of the lift hill, it dips down into a twist (called a "Lie-to-Fly") that turns the trains upside down into a flying position where riders face the ground. After the twist, the train travels down the first drop, reaching speeds of {{convert|51|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. Riders then go through an over banked Horseshoe Curve element. Following the Horseshoe, the train enters a "Fly-to-Lie" element that turns riders back to a lay-down position. After the banked turn, the ride enters the {{convert|66|ft|adj=on}} tall vertical loop, where riders experience 4.3 G's. The train then goes into another "Lie-to-Fly" element. Following the loop, riders go through another turn and then hit two consecutive inline twists. Following the inline twists, the train enters the final helix. After the helix, riders hit the final "Fly-to-Lie" element and the train is slowed down on the brake run.{{cite web|last=Bove|first=Alex|title=Batwing Review, Ultimate Roller Coaster|url=http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/reviews/batwing/|publisher=Ultimate Roller Coaster|accessdate=November 17, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Batwing POV|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KjzSzfAtY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Y9KjzSzfAtY |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=Coaster Force|accessdate=November 17, 2012}}{{cbignore}}
=Trains=
See also
- Nighthawk (roller coaster) - a similar ride formerly located at sister park Carowinds
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120506231053/http://www.sixflags.com/america/rides/Batwing.aspx Batwing at Six Flags America website]
{{Six Flags America}}
{{Batman amusement rides and stunt shows}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Batwing (Roller Coaster)}}
Category:Roller coasters operated by Six Flags
Category:Roller coasters in Maryland