Sky Scrapper

Sky Scrapper (also known as Starry Sky Ripper) is a flying roller coaster at World Joyland in Wujin, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China. Sky Scrapper was one of World Joyland's opening day attractions, officially opening on April 30, 2011. The 2,805.1-foot-long (855.0 m) ride stands 131.3 feet (40.0 m) tall, and features a top speed of 54.7 mph (88.0 km/h). Designed by Swiss firm Bolliger & Mabillard, Sky Scrapper restrains riders in the prone position and features five inversions.

Sky Scrapper
The lift hill and zero-g roll of Sky Scrapper
World Joyland
LocationWorld Joyland
Park sectionUniverse of Starship
Coordinates31.4975°N 120.0411°E / 31.4975; 120.0411
StatusOperating
Opening dateApril 30, 2011 (2011-04-30)
General statistics
TypeSteel – Flying
ManufacturerBolliger & Mabillard
ModelFlying Coaster – Custom
Lift/launch systemChain lift hill
Height131.3 ft (40.0 m)
Drop104.3 ft (31.8 m)
Length2,805.1 ft (855.0 m)
Speed54.7 mph (88.0 km/h)
Inversions5
Duration2:06
G-force3.3
Height restriction140 cm (4 ft 7 in)
Trains2 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 28 riders per train.
Sky Scrapper at RCDB
Pictures of Sky Scrapper at RCDB

History

World Joyland officially opened to the public on April 4, 2011.[1][2] The park opened with the custom-designed Sky Scrapper, a Flying Coaster model from Bolliger & Mabillard.[1] The ride is located in the Universe of Starship area of the park.[3] The park is derived from the World of Warcraft and Starcraft franchises.[4][2]

Characteristics

The roller coaster's steel track is approximately 2,805 feet (855 m) in length and the height of the lift is 131.3 feet (40.0 m). Sky Scrapper operates with two steel and fiberglass trains. Each train has seven cars that seat four riders in a single row, for a total of 28 riders per train.[1]

Sky Scrapper features a total of five inversions, which ties it with The Flying Dinosaur for the most inversions on a B&M Flying Coaster model.[5] These include a zero-g roll, a vertical loop, a "Lie to Fly"/"Fly to Lie" pair, and two inline twists.[1][6][7][8] A "Lie to Fly" element is when riders are on their backs, facing the sky and they are flipped and face the ground. A "Fly to Lie" element is the opposite.[9] As of August 2013, Sky Scrapper is the only Bolliger & Mabillard Flying Coaster to feature a vertical loop, and is one of only two to feature a zero-g roll.[10][11]

Experience
A train in the loading position (left) and flying position (right)

Station and loading

Once in the station, riders of Sky Scrapper board a train sitting down, in a similar style to inverted roller coasters.[12] Riders are restrained through a padded over-the-shoulder harness and a lap bar.[13] At the ankles, two flaps hold the legs in position and close as the harness is locked in place. After the train is fully locked and checked, the trains are raised into the flying position and depart the station.[12]

Ride layout

The train travels out of the station and up the 131.3-foot (40.0 m) lift hill. The train then drops, reaching a top speed of 55 mph (89 km/h) before entering an overbanked turn. This is followed by a zero-g roll and "Fly-to-Lie" element that turns riders from a face-down prone position to a face-up lying position. It then goes through a small tunnel and enters the vertical loop. Riders are then transitioned back to a prone position after entering the following "Lie-to-Fly" element, which travels over water. Riders then experience a double inline twist element, and a helix that turns to the left. The train enters the final brake run and follows a short path back to the station.[1][6]

See also

References
  1. Marden, Duane. "Sky Scrapper  (World Joyland)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  2. "Joyland: Animated adventures in Changzhou". Park World Magazine: 36–39. October 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  3. "Joyland". World Joyland. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  4. "In pictures: Unlicensed World of Warcraft theme park in China". BBC News. January 15, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  5. Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster Search Results  (Design: Flying, Company: Bolliger & Mabillard)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  6. Alvey, Robb (October 21, 2012). "Starry Sky Ripper – Sky Scrapper POV B&M Flyer Roller Coaster World Joyland China". Theme Park Review. YouTube. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  7. Marden, Duane. "Lie to Fly". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  8. Marden, Duane. "Fly to Lie". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  9. "Flying Coasters". Coaster Force. Archived from the original on March 24, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  10. Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster Search Results  (Design: Flying, Element: Loop, Company: Bolliger & Mabillard)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  11. Marden, Duane. "Roller Coaster Search Results  (Design: Flying, Element: Zero-G Roll, Company: Bolliger & Mabillard)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  12. Bevil, Dewayne (November 17, 2008). "Manta on demand: more details about SeaWorld coaster under construction". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  13. "The World's Greatest Superhero Emerges at Six Flags Over Georgia" (Press release). Six Flags Over Georgia. January 22, 2002. Archived from the original on December 30, 2011. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
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