Thrust Air 2000

{{short description|Air-launched roller coaster type}}

File:Dodonpa rollercoaster 2005-05.JPG at Fuji-Q Highland]]

A Thrust Air 2000 (commonly known as a thrust air coaster) was a model of launched roller coaster made by S&S Worldwide that used refrigerated, compressed air to shoot a rubber-wheeled car down a steel track. A prototype model was created at the manufacturer's factory in 1999, then sold to Kings Dominion as Hypersonic XLC, which opened in 2001. Do-Dodonpa, located at Fuji-Q Highland, was the only production model in existence, opening in 2001 as well. It was once the fastest roller coaster in the world and held the record of the world's fastest acceleration on a roller coaster throughout its existence. Both models have since closed, and were originally fabricated by Intermountain Lift, Inc.{{cite web |title=Amusement |url=http://intermountainlift.com/amusement.htm |publisher=Intermountain Lift, Inc. |access-date=September 5, 2014 |date=July 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108130751/http://intermountainlift.com/amusement.htm |archive-date=November 8, 2014}}

Prototype

The prototype Thrust Air 2000 was made in 1999 at the S&S Power plant in Utah. That prototype was bought by Paramount directly from the plant and then built at Kings Dominion.

= Stats =

  • Height: {{convert|165|ft|m|abbr=on}}.
  • Climb: 90 degrees
  • Drop: 90 degrees
  • Acceleration: 0-80 mph (0-128.7 km/h) in 1.8 sec
  • Top Speed: about {{convert|80|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}
  • Launch System: Ingersoll-Rand screw type compressor
  • Track layout: Out-and-back roller coaster
  • Track type: I-beam

See also

References

{{Reflist}}