http://cellar.org/pictures/aircoaster.jpg

This new roller coaster is due to open in Virginia. It's the first one to run on compressed air. It goes from 0-80 MPH in something like 2 seconds. And then here's what it does:

http://cellar.org/pictures/aircoaster2.jpg

I used to go on such rides, but when you reach a certain age, maybe oh I don't know, 22, you find that life itself has such risks and up and downs that voluntarily submitting to such is kinda nutty.

and we use our engineering talent for this? :)
 

While this is an excellent ride, I can only imagine the years of engineering that went into this!

Wow. Introducing any new technology into a very established world takes a LOT of work.

Have you been to the Batman and Robin rides at Great Adventure? 0-70 in 3 seconds (yeah, passe, I know). But they use "linear induction motors", which appears to mean it's a big railgun. Much cooler than compressed air.

Some related web links...
 

Thrillride.com previewed this ride last year before King's Dominion started to build it.

While I don't think they have that preview up on the site anymore, here's a link with information about the one specifically at KD: http://www.thrillride.com/ta2000/ta2000.html

Not my cup of tea, I don't think!

-- Sascha
http://www.sascha.org