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, Inc., 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,

Dodonpa at Fuji-Q Highland

which used to be the fastest roller coaster in the world and is still one of the fastest accelerating roller coasters 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 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 (80 km/h). Later, they developed another type of drop tower called the Turbo Drop, which shot passengers down the tower at 40 mph (64 km/h). 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: 0-80 mph (0-128.7 km/h) in 1.8 sec
• Top Speed: about 80 mph (130 km/h)
• Launch System: Ingersoll-Rand screw type compressor
• Track layout: Out-and-back roller coaster
• Track type: I-beam

See also

• Accelerator coaster
• Launched roller coaster

External links

• Thrust Air 2000
• Hypersonic XLC