Flying Scooters, also known simply as Flyers, is an amusement ride consisting of a center post with ride vehicles suspended from arms attached to the center post. The ride was developed in the 1920s and 1930s by Alvin Bisch and his partner, Ralph Rocco. They applied for a patent for a “Device to train aviators or for amusement purposes” in 1929.[1] The first ride manufactured by the Bisch-Rocco Amusement Company was installed at Riverview Park (Chicago) in 1935.[2]

In the early 2000s, Larson International revived the concept. In the early 2010s, Larson partnered with Majestic Manufacturing, Inc. to create a portable version of the ride.[3]

When the ride is in operation, a motor causes the arms to spin, with centrifugal forces causing the ride vehicles to fly outwards. Each ride vehicle is equipped with a large rudder, allowing riders to control the motion of their vehicle. The minimum rider height requirement is usually 36 inches tall or more.

Cable snapping

Although Flying Scooters are generally considered a mild ride, a skilled rider can "snap" the cables suspending the vehicle, and thus gain a more extreme and out-of-control experience. Snapping is caused by the cables slacking due to quick motions of the vehicle. Snapping is made easier on older and faster Flying Scooters rides such as the Flyer at Knoebels or others manufactured by Bisch-Rocco. Some newer models, such as those manufactured by Larson International, are designed to prevent snapping. Snapping is sometimes discouraged due to maintenance and safety reasons, and in the case of some parks, snapping is punishable by the ride cycle being stopped early and the offending rider being removed from the ride.

Installations

NameParkLocationManufacturerOpenedStatusRef
FlyerKnoebels Amusement ResortUnited StatesBisch-Rocco1972[4]
Flying FishStory LandUnited StatesLarson International[5]
Flying ScooterBland's ParkUnited StatesBisch-Rocco[6][7]
Flying ScooterLeSourdsville Lake Amusement ParkUnited StatesBisch-Rocco
Flying ScooterWaldameer & Water WorldUnited StatesBisch-Rocco1944
Flying ScootersErieview ParkUnited StatesBisch-Rocco[8]
Flying ScootersStricker's GroveUnited StatesRay Evers
HurricaneLakeside Amusement ParkUnited StatesBisch-Rocco
Flying ScootersWhalom ParkUnited StatesBisch-Rocco[9]
Rowdy RoostersCanobie Lake Park
Palisades Amusement Park		United StatesBisch-Rocco
Mission Macaw
Formerly SS Stingray		Rides At Adventure Cove in Columbus ZooUnited StatesLarson International2008[10]
Seabreeze FlyersSeabreeze Amusement ParkUnited StatesBisch-RoccoC. 1944
Spirit of Kitty HawkFrontier VillageUnited StatesBisch-Rocco
Falcon Flyer
Flying Circus		Wild Adventures
Celebration City		United StatesLarson International2010
Unknown
Aerial Joy RideHersheyparkUnited StatesSpillman Manufacturing1941
Flying AcesLagoon Amusement ParkUnited StatesBisch-Rocco1941
Screaming EaglesFun Spot America (Kissimmee)United StatesLarson International
Dive BombersSanta's WorkshopUnited StatesBisch-Rocco
Flying ScooterBushkill ParkUnited StatesBisch-Rocco1950[6]
Flying ScootersPlayland ParkUnited StatesBisch-Rocco1950[11]
Flying ScootersGeauga LakeUnited StatesBisch-Rocco1958
Flying EaglesKings DominionUnited StatesBisch-Rocco1975
Eagle's FlightHoliday WorldUnited StatesBisch-Rocco1976[12]
Flying ScooterConneaut Lake Park
Euclid Beach Park
Old Indiana Fun Park		United StatesBisch-Rocco1997
Unknown
Unknown
Flying EaglesCalifornia's Great AmericaUnited StatesLarson International2002
American Flyers
Formerly Phantom Phlyer		Lake Compounce
Kennywood
West View Park		United StatesBisch-Rocco2003
1995 to 1996
1937 to 1977
Frontier FlyersHersheyparkUnited StatesLarson International2003[13]
Air CrowIndiana BeachUnited StatesLarson International2004
Tink's Flying SchoolOakwood Theme ParkUnited KingdomLarson International2004
Mountain Gliders
Formerly Woodstock Gliders, Phantom Flyers
Formerly Flying Eagles, Flying Scooters		Carowinds
Kings Island
Coney Island		United StatesBisch-Rocco2005
1972 to 2004
1940 to 1971
Flying ScootersCamden ParkUnited StatesLarson International2006
Flying AcesIdlewild ParkUnited StatesPremier Rides2007
Dragon FlyerCastle ParkUnited StatesLarson International2008[14]
Hornet's NestSix Flags Darien LakeUnited StatesLarson International2012[15]
Thunderbirds
Formerly Flying Scooters		Eldridge Park
Fun Spot Amusement Park & Zoo
Fantasy Farm		United StatesBisch-Rocco2012
Unknown
Unknown
Lakeside GlidersMichigan's AdventureUnited StatesLarson International2013
Screamin' EaglesSix Flags Great EscapeUnited StatesLarson International2013[16]
Surfside GlidersKnott's Berry FarmUnited StatesLarson International2013[17]
Flying Scooters
Formerly French Quarter Flyers		Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags America		United StatesLarson International2026
2014 to 2025
Lake Erie EaglesCedar PointUnited StatesLarson International2014
Honeybee Buzzers
Formerly Professor John's Flying Machines 		Kentucky KingdomUnited StatesLarson International2014
Winged WarriorFrontier CityUnited StatesLarson International2014
MT Buckets
Formerly Cedar Creek Flyers 		Dorney Park & Wildwater KingdomUnited StatesLarson International2015
KongMorey's PiersUnited StatesLarson International2015
Franklin's Flyers
Formerly Woodstock Gliders 		Kings IslandUnited StatesLarson International2015
Flying EaglesCanada's WonderlandCanadaLarson International2016
Flying EaglesValleyfairUnited StatesLarson International2016
PhoenixLa RondeCanadaLarson International2016[18]
Woodstock GlidersWorlds of FunUnited StatesLarson International2016
Wonder Woman Flight SchoolSix Flags Over GeorgiaUnited StatesLarson International2016[18]
Flying ScooterFox Creek Amusement CompanyUnited StatesBisch-Rocco2016
The Mad Mocking BirdDollywoodUnited StatesLarson International2019
Flying CircusCelebration CityUnited StatesLarson International[19]
The BarnstormersGuyton's Fun JunctionUnited StatesUnknownUnknown

See also

References

  1. ^ "Device to train aviators or for amusement purposes". No. US1912174A.
  2. ^ Derek Gee and Ralph Lopez (2000). "The Depression Years 1929-1945". Laugh Your Troubles Away: The Complete History of Riverview Park, Chicago, Illinois. Sharpshooters Productions, Inc. p. 124. ISBN 0-9676045-1-6.
  3. ^ "Larson International, Inc.". 2012-08-26. Archived from the original on 2012-08-26. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
  4. ^ Futrell, Jim (17 May 1999). "Not all the good rides are new". Amusement Business. 111 (20): 21.
  5. ^ Ruben, Paul (7 May 2009). "Story Land". Park World Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  6. ^ Futrell, Jim (2002). Amusement Parks of Pennsylvania. Stackpole Books. ISBN 0811726711.
  7. ^ Futrell, Jim (10 September 2001). "Name change helps Bland's keep up with special sauce". Amusement Business. 113 (36): 53.
  8. ^ O'Brien, Tim (25 November 2002). "Attendance increase highlights 57th season". Amusement Business. 114 (47): 9.
  9. ^ O'Brien, Tim (12 November 2001). "Whalom Park assets to go on block". Amusement Business. 113 (45): 39.
  10. ^ "Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - Rides and Attractions". www.columbuszoo.org. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  11. ^ "Playland Park (Justice, Illinois, USA)". rcdb.com. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  12. ^ Kyriazi, Gary (1 November 2006). "Holiday World: Redefining family entertainment". Park World Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  13. ^ Barbieri, Kelly (3 February 2003). "Hersheypark prepares for new rides, food". Amusement Business. 115 (5)
  14. ^ "Dragons Fly at Castle Park: Larson Scooters now open". Park World Magazine. 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  15. ^ "Kernels – May 2012". Park World Magazine. 9 May 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  16. ^ "Screamin' Eagles at the Great Escape". Park World. August 2013.
  17. ^ "New at Knott's". Park World Magazine. 12 December 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  18. ^ MacDonald, Brady (September 3, 2015). "Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2016". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  19. ^ "Celebration City - Flying Circus". www.themeparkreview.com. Retrieved 2020-04-11.