All About the Skycoaster

The Skycoaster isn’t an actual roller coaster. It’s a flat ride that allows the riders to free fall and then swing through the air back and forth.

Skycoasters are generally found in amusement and roller coaster parks, like Walabi Holland or Fun Spot America in Orlando, and can be ridden for an additional cost. If you want to know more about this particular thrilling attraction, keep reading!

About the Skycoaster

In 1992 the thought of the Skycoaster came into being. The idea was to let more people experience the thrill of sky diving without having to get very far off the ground. Additionally, the founders didn’t want the safety risk that individuals experience when they jump out of a plane.

It took 2 years for the concept to become reality. However, by 1994 there were 4 movable Skycoasters and 16 permanent installations at parks around the USA.

In 2017, the company that purchased Skycoaster Inc, the Ride Entertainment Group, introduced a new version called the Sky Sled. For this one, the riders sit instead of flying super hero and there can only be 2 riders instead of 3.

Skycoasters range from 33.4 meters (109 feet) to 76 meters (250 feet) high. The height limit is 1.07 meter (42 inches) and while some locations may have a weight limit, most allow any rider that can fit into the flight suits or sled.

The top speed is clocked at around 112k/h (70mph) and the max G Force of this attraction is 2.3G.

According to the Skycoaster entry on the Ride Entertainment website, there are 130 of these attractions on 6 different continents.

How Does the Skycoaster Work?

There are two ways to ride the Skycoaster. Depending on the style of the attraction, the riders many be vertical (Skycoaster) or sitting (Skysled).

How the Skycoaster Works

The very first thing a rider will do (besides paying) is done their sky suit. This is a sturdy harness that allows you to hang securely. The rider will then go to the loading area. Staff will connect the chosen harness to the different cables on the attraction.

Once safely secured, the rider(s) will be hoisted into the sky. Once given the signal, it’s up to the rider(s) to pull the cord that releases them and lets them fall and fly.

How the Skysled Works

The biggest difference with the Skysled is that the rider(s) get to experience the ride sitting instead of in the super hero position. Unlike the Skycoaster, the Skysled is only available for 2 riders instead of 3.

Another difference between the sled and coaster is due to weight distribution, it’s possible that the sled will flip the rider(s) backwards when they pull the rip cord.

It is entirely possible that a Skycoaster location allows the rider to choose which of the 2 positions they want to fly in.

Where to Find Some Skycoasters Near You

Skycoasters can be found at a lot of amusement parks around the world. To find the nearest one to your location, you can visit the Where to Fly section over at Ride Entertainment!

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