Kentucky Flyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kentucky Flyer |
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| Kentucky Kingdom | |
| Location | Kentucky Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 38°11′39″N 85°44′39″W / 38.194292°N 85.744271°W |
| Status | Open |
| Soft opening date | April 26, 2019 |
| Opening date | April 28, 2019 |
| Cost | $5,000,000 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Wood |
| Manufacturer | Gravitykraft Corporation |
| Designer | The Gravity Group |
| Track layout | Out and back |
| Lift/launch system | Chain lift hill |
| Height | 47 ft (14 m) |
| Drop | 44 ft (13 m) |
| Length | 1,288 ft (393 m) |
| Speed | 35 mph (56 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 1:00 |
| Max vertical angle | 52° |
| Height restriction | 40 in (102 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 12 riders per train. |
| Kentucky Flyer at RCDB | |
The Kentucky Flyer is an exciting wooden roller coaster at Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville, Kentucky. It opened on April 28, 2019. This was a special way to celebrate Kentucky Kingdom's 30th birthday! It's known as a great family-friendly wooden coaster.
Contents
History of the Ride
How Kentucky Flyer Was Announced
In September 2018, Kentucky Kingdom started dropping hints about a new ride. They suggested it would be about flying! Soon after, on September 21, 2018, they officially announced the Kentucky Flyer. It was planned to open in 2019.
This new ride was designed to be a wooden roller coaster for families. It was built by a company called Gravitykraft Corporation from Cincinnati. The trains on the ride were even designed to look like airplanes! The coaster was set to reach a top speed of 35 mph (56 km/h).
Building the Coaster
Construction for the Kentucky Flyer began shortly after the announcement. However, there was a small problem in mid-October. The park's landlord, the Kentucky State Fair Board, temporarily stopped the work. This made people wonder if the ride would ever be built.
Luckily, the issue was quickly resolved. The next day, after the Governor of Kentucky, Matt Bevin, got involved, the Fair Board allowed construction to continue. This secured the future of the Kentucky Flyer!
Putting it All Together
In November 2018, something cool happened. The front car of the Kentucky Flyer's train, which looks like an airplane, was shown off at a big event called the IAAPA Expo in Orlando, Florida. Meanwhile, back at the park, the foundations for the coaster were being poured.
The main structure of the coaster started going up on November 30, 2018. Workers continued building through the winter. The entire coaster was finished by late March or early April of 2019. By April 12, 2019, the Kentucky Flyer was testing its trains on the track. Finally, the ride opened to everyone on April 28, 2019.
What Makes Kentucky Flyer Special?
Fun Facts and Numbers
The Kentucky Flyer stands 47 feet (14 m) tall, which is about as tall as a four-story building! The entire track is 1,288 feet (393 m) long. When you zoom down the first drop, you'll reach a top speed of 35 mph (56 km/h). This first drop is 44-foot (13 m) tall and very steep, at 52 degrees.
During the ride, you'll experience 12 moments of "airtime." Airtime is that fun, floating feeling you get when the coaster goes over a hill! The ride also has turns where the track banks (tilts) up to 54 degrees.
The coaster was designed by The Gravity Group. It's known as a modern "junior wooden coaster." This means it's perfect for families and younger riders. It's similar to other popular family wooden coasters like Roar-o-Saurus at Story Land and Wooden Warrior at Quassy Amusement Park.
How It's Built
Even though it's called a "wooden" coaster, the main support structure of the Kentucky Flyer is made of painted steel. However, the actual track and the handrails are made of wood. This is why it's still called a wooden coaster! The steel supports are painted white, while the wooden track is left natural. The handrails are painted red.
The Trains
The Kentucky Flyer uses two special trains called Timberliners. Each train can hold 12 passengers. The front car of each train is designed to look like a playful airplane! The trains also have curved lap bars, which are very comfortable for riders of all sizes. Timberliner trains are lighter than many other coaster trains, which allows them to go around tight turns smoothly.
Where to Find It
The Kentucky Flyer is located behind the Hurricane Bay waterpark at Kentucky Kingdom. You can see it running in the background of the waterpark's expanded area. The part of the coaster where it turns around is on a special piece of land that was set aside for park expansion. You'll find the entrance to the ride near the Skycatcher tower swing ride.
Your Ride Experience
Get ready for a fun flight on the Kentucky Flyer! As you leave the station, your train will immediately start climbing the 47-foot (14 m) tall lift hill. Once you reach the top, the train turns slightly right. Then, get ready for the main 44-foot (13 m) drop, which plunges down at a steep 52 degrees!
After the big drop, the ride twists into two "double ups." These are two small hills close together that give you a quick burst of airtime. Next, you'll hit a left-hand turnaround, where the track banks at a 54-degree angle.
On the way back, you'll go over several more airtime hills, giving you that fun floating feeling again and again! Finally, the train slows down as it enters the final brake run. After a quick right-hand turn, you'll arrive back at the station, ready for your next flight!
