Wing Coaster

{{Short description|Type of roller coaster}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{good article}} {{Infobox attraction model | name = Wing Coaster | logo =  | logo_width =  | image = GateKeeper 020 (9547680779).jpg | imagedimensions = 250px | caption = GateKeeper at Cedar Point. | status = in production | first_produced = 2011 | No. of installations= 19 | manufacturer = Bolliger & Mabillard | designer =  | height_ft =  | height_m =  | drop_ft =  | drop_m =  | length_ft =  | length_m =  | speed_mph =  | speed_km/h =  | gforce = | capacity =   | vehicle_type = Train seats are located level with the track on both sides. | vehicles = | riders_per_vehicle =  | rows = | riders_per_row = 4 | participants_per_group=  | audience_capacity =  | duration = | restraint = Rubber vest over chest and lap bar | custom_label_1 = | custom_value_1 = | custom_label_2 = | custom_value_2 = |rcdb_number = 9896 }} '''Wing Coaster''' is engineering firm Bolliger & Mabillard’s designation for its winged roller coaster designs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wing Coaster {{!}} Bolliger & Mabillard |date=14 August 2012 |url=https://www.bolliger-mabillard.com/product/wing-coaster |access-date=17 December 2020}}</ref> Winged roller coasters are a type of steel roller coaster where pairs of riders sit on either side of a roller coaster track in which nothing is above or below the riders. B&M began development on the first Wing Coaster between 2007 and 2008 leading to the opening of Raptor at Gardaland on 1 April 2011. There were eighteen B&M-designed Wing Coasters either under construction or operating worldwide {{as of|2024||lc=y}}, with one more standing but not operating.<ref name="Roller Coaster Database - Design: Wing - Make: Bolliger & Mabillard">{{cite web |title=Roller Coaster Database - Design: Wing - Make: Bolliger & Mabillard |url=https://rcdb.com/r.htm?cs=277&de=67&mk=6831&order=-29&ot=2 |website=RCDB |access-date=17 December 2020}}</ref>

==History== [[File:Raptor Gardaland 2011.jpg|thumb|left|Raptor at Gardaland was the world's first Wing Coaster, opening in 2011.]]

According to Walter Bolliger, development of the Wing Coaster began between 2007 and 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBQ7tfjlMfE&feature=relmfu |title=IAAPA 2011 Trade Show Part 4 Theme Park Review Fishpipe Water Ride B&M Zamperla |publisher=Theme Park Review / YouTube |date=16 November 2012 |access-date=22 May 2012}}</ref> In 2010, Bolliger & Mabillard announced a prototype Wing Coaster design that would be built at Merlin Entertainments' Gardaland.<ref>B&M 2012 Product Catalog</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=X-Raptor, the prototype 4th Dimension B & M|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ameworld.net%2Fportail%2Fgardaland%2Fx-raptor-le-prototype-4th-dimension-bm-2307.html|access-date=13 February 2011|date=23 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gardaland Raptor|url=http://www.gardalandraptor.it/|publisher=Gardaland|access-date=13 February 2011}}</ref> It became known as Raptor, which opened on 1 April 2011.<ref name=Raptor /> A year later, Merlin Entertainments opened a second Wing Coaster on 15 March 2012, called The Swarm at Thorpe Park.<ref name=Swarm /><ref>{{cite web|title=Weekly notice of applications registered by Runnymede Borough Council for the period ending: 09/02/2011|url=http://ww2.runnymede.gov.uk/home/latest/wklyplanapps/2011/wk06/Plan_lst.htm|access-date=13 February 2011|date=9 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211221514/http://ww2.runnymede.gov.uk/home/latest/wklyplanapps/2011/wk06/Plan_lst.htm|archive-date=11 February 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the United States, the first Wing Coaster to be announced was X-Flight, which opened at Six Flags Great America on 16 May 2012.<ref name="Construction Underway For Six Flags 'Wing Coaster'">{{cite news|last=Marshall|first=Glenn|title=Construction Underway For Six Flags 'Wing Coaster'|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Construction-Begins-For--138392609.html|access-date=20 February 2012|newspaper=NBC Chicago|date=31 January 2012}}</ref><ref name=XFrcdb /> Dollywood's Wild Eagle actually opened earlier on 24 March 2012, making it the first Wing Coaster in North America.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dollywood 2012|url=http://dw-2012.com/details/news/|access-date=6 September 2011|date=6 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909063616/http://dw-2012.com/details/news/|archive-date=9 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Wild Eagle" /> On 13 August 2012, Cedar Point announced plans to build a new Wing Coaster called GateKeeper, which set new records for a Wing Coaster including longest track length, fastest speed and drop height.<ref name=Gatekeeper2>{{cite web|url=http://www.cedarpoint.com/images/news/GKNewsRelease.pdf |title=Cedar Point Announces Plans for New World-Record-Breaking Roller Coaster!|publisher=Cedar Point |date=13 August 2012 |access-date=14 August 2012}}</ref> The first Wing Coaster in Asia, Parrot Coaster, opened at Ocean Kingdom on 25 January 2014.<ref name=OKwing /> Thorpe Park announced that the last two rows of The Swarm would be turned backwards – a first for a Wing Coaster – for the 2013 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20130122/12408/confirmed-thorpe-park-reverse-seats-swarm-roller-coaster-2013-season |title=Confirmed: Thorpe Park to reverse seats on each train of The Swarm roller coaster for 2013 season |first=Nick |last=Sim |publisher=Theme Park Tourist |date=22 January 2013 |access-date=22 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thorpepark.com/rides/the-swarm.aspx |title=The Swarm |publisher=Thorpe Park |access-date=22 January 2013}}</ref> On 24 July 2014, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari announced Thunderbird, the first launched Wing Coaster.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/2014/07/24/rumors-explode-holiday-world-mystery-ride/13087023/|title=Holiday World takes flight with $22M Thunderbird wing coaster|first=Bill |last=McCleery |publisher=Indianapolis Star |date=24 July 2014 |access-date=24 July 2014}}</ref>

==Design== [[File:X-Flight Station.jpg|thumb|A ride operator checking the restraints on X-Flight at Six Flags Great America. Notice how the bars on the restraint system are not what actually hold the rider in place.]] {{Centered pull quote|Nothing above, nothing below. An unprecedented feeling of freedom.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bolliger-mabillard.com/products/wing_en.aspx |title=Wing Coaster |publisher=Bolliger & Mabillard |access-date=22 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507005139/http://www.bolliger-mabillard.com/products/wing_en.aspx |archive-date=7 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>|4=Bolliger & Mabillard}}

The design of a Wing Coaster differs from many traditional steel roller coasters in that its trains are not located above or below the track but rather on the sides, a configuration that give riders the impression of free flight. Also, because there is nothing on top of the track and only steel beams holding each ends of the train together, all current Wing Coasters have an object (that relates to the theme) that covers the steel beams and adds to the experience.<ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Wing Coaster|access-date=2 January 2013|url=http://rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&ml=9896}}</ref> The restraints on the trains are also different. Instead of simply having the traditional over-the-shoulder restraint bar used on many inverted roller coasters, the Wing Coaster restraints are similar to Bolliger & Mabillard's Flying Coaster, which includes a vest restraint and a waist-level restraint with bars on the side for the rider to hold on to.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/05/10/six-flags-opens-x-flight-wing-coaster/ |title=Six Flags opens X Flight wing coaster |work=Chicago Tribune |date=10 May 2012 |access-date=23 May 2012}}</ref> The Wing Coaster's differences extended to the station layout of the station, which requires the queue to split in two halves, allowing riders to board the train where the seats sit level with the track.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1161030#p1161030 |title=Wild Eagle Media Day! |publisher=Theme Park Review |date=23 March 2012 |access-date=23 May 2012}}</ref>

==Installations== [[File:Train going through the "Keyhole" on X-Flight at Six Flags Great America.jpg|thumb|X-Flight at Six Flags Great America going through the signature keyhole element.]] Bolliger & Mabillard has built or is in the process of building a total of nineteen Wing Coasters as of December 2024. The roller coasters are listed '''in order of opening dates'''.

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Name !! Park !! Country !! Opened !! Status !! class="unsortable" | |- | Raptor || Gardaland || {{flagicon|Italy}} Italy ||{{dts|format=dmy|2011|4|1}} || {{yes|Operating}} ||<ref name=Raptor>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Raptor|location=Gardaland|rcdb_number=9309|access-date=13 February 2011}}</ref> |- | {{Sort|Swarm, The|The Swarm}} || Thorpe Park || {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom || {{dts|format=dmy|2012|3|15}} || {{yes|Operating}} ||<ref name=Swarm>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Swarm|location=Thorpe Park|metric=m|rcdb_number=9820|access-date=2 August 2011}}</ref> |- | Wild Eagle || Dollywood || {{flagicon|USA}} United States || {{dts|format=dmy|2012|3|24}} || {{yes|Operating}} ||<ref name="Wild Eagle">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Wild Eagle|location=Dollywood|rcdb_number=10148|access-date=5 September 2011}}</ref> |- | X-Flight || Six Flags Great America || {{flagicon|USA}} United States || {{dts|format=dmy|2012|5|16}} || {{yes|Operating}} ||<ref name=XFrcdb>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=X-Flight|location=Six Flags Great America|rcdb_number=10137|access-date=2 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="LA leak">{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Brady|title=Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2012|url=http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/la-trb-six-flags-2012-rides-09201101,0,1330073.story|access-date=1 September 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=1 September 2011}}</ref> |- | GateKeeper || Cedar Point || {{flagicon|USA}} United States || {{dts|format=dmy|2013|5|11}} || {{yes|Operating}} ||<ref name=GateKeeper>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=GateKeeper|location=Cedar Point|rcdb_number=10891|access-date=14 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="GK Opening date">{{cite web|last=Haidet|first=Ryan|title=First track pieces for GateKeeper coaster arrive|url=http://www.wkyc.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=266293|publisher=WKYC|access-date=28 December 2012|date=23 October 2012}}</ref> |- | Parrot Coaster || Chimelong Ocean Kingdom || {{flagicon|China}} China || {{dts|format=dmy|2014|1|25}} || {{yes|Operating}} ||<ref name=OKwing>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Parrot Coaster|location=Ocean Kingdom|rcdb_number=9114|access-date=13 June 2012}}</ref><ref name="IAAPA 2012 Trade Show">{{cite web|last=Alvey|first=Robb|author-link=Robb Alvey|title=IAAPA 2012 Trade Show|url=http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/481769_10151282424868566_1997874595_n.jpg|work=Photo|publisher=Theme Park Review|access-date=14 November 2012|archive-date=1 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101022756/http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/481769_10151282424868566_1997874595_n.jpg|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | Flug der Dämonen || Heide Park || {{flagicon|Germany}} Germany || {{dts|format=dmy|2014|3|29}} || {{yes|Operating}} || <ref name="Heide Park">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Flug der Dämonen|location=Heide Park|rcdb_number=6667|access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref> |- | Thunderbird || Holiday World & Splashin' Safari || {{flagicon|United States}} United States || {{dts|format=dmy|2015|4|25}} || {{yes|Operating}} || <ref name="Thunderbird">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Thunderbird|location=Holiday World & Splashin' Safari|rcdb_number=12260|access-date=24 July 2014}}</ref> |- | Flying Wing Coaster || Happy Valley Chongqing || {{flagicon|China}} China || {{dts|format=dmy|2017|7|08}} || {{yes|Operating}} || <ref name="Happy Valley">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Flying Wing Coaster|location=Happy Valley|rcdb_number=13832|access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref> |- | Wing Coaster || Colourful Yunnan Happy World || {{Flagicon|China}} China || {{dts|format=dmy|2018|7|05}} || {{yes|Operating}} || <ref name="HappyWorld">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Wing Coaster|location=Colourful Yunnan Happy World|rcdb_number=15024|access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref> |- | Fēnix || Toverland || {{Flagicon|Netherlands}} Netherlands || {{dts|format=dmy|2018|7|07}} || {{yes|Operating}} || <ref name="Toverland">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Fenix|location=Toverland|rcdb_number=14717|access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref> |- | {{N/A|Unknown}} || Hot Go Dreamworld || {{Flagicon|China}} China || Unknown || {{no|SBNO}} || <ref name="HotGoDreamworld">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=unknown|location=Hot Go Dreamworld|rcdb_number=13454|access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref> |- | Heaven's Wing || Huayi Brothers Movie World || {{Flagicon|China}} China || 2018 || {{yes|Operating}} || <ref name="Huayi">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=unknown|location=Huayi Brothers Movie World|rcdb_number=15676|access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref> |- | Falcon || Wuxi Sunac Land || {{Flagicon|China}} China || 29 June 2019 || {{yes|Operating}} || <ref name="WandaCity">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=unknown|location=Wanda City|rcdb_number=12413|access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref> |- | Forest Predator || Happy Valley Nanjing|| {{Flagicon|China}} China || 11 November 2020 || {{yes|Operating}} || <ref name="HappyValley2">{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=unknown|location=Happy Valley|rcdb_number=15667|access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Forest Predator Multi Angle Go Pro 60FPS POV Happy Valley Nanjing - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMX6LLUSQUo|access-date=5 February 2021|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref> |- | DaVinci Ride || Fantasy Valley Xiangyang || {{Flagicon|China}} China || 29 April 2022 || {{yes|Operating}} || <ref name="DaVinci Ride">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=DaVinci Ride|rcdb_number=17707|location=Fantasy Valley Xiangyang|accessdate=5 December 2024}}</ref> |- | Maximus – Der Flug des Wächters || Legoland Deutschland || {{flagicon|Germany}} Germany || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|3|25}} || {{yes|Operating}} || <ref>{{cite RCDB|coaster_name=Maximus - Der Flug des Wächters|location=Legoland Deutschland|rcdb_number=19912|access-date=November 27, 2015}}</ref> |- | Mandrill Mayhem || Chessington World Of Adventures || {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom ||{{dts|format=dmy|2023|5|15}} || {{yes|Operating}} ||<ref name="Mandrill Mayhem">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Mandrill Mayhem|location=Chessington World Of Adventures|rcdb_number=9309|access-date=15 May 2023}}</ref> |- |Rapterra || Kings Dominion || {{flagicon|United States}} United States ||{{dts|format=dmy|29 March 2025}}||{{yes|Operating}} || <ref name="Rapterra">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Rapterra|rcdb_number=21885|location=Kings Dominion|accessdate=5 December 2024}}</ref> |}

==Similar rides== Prior to the development of the Wing Coaster, in 2007, Intamin debuted a version of an Accelerator Coaster with modified trains similar to those used on 4th Dimension roller coasters and Wing Coasters.<ref name="Furius Baco">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Furius Baco|location=PortAventura|rcdb_number=3430|access-date=13 February 2011}}</ref> Known as a ''Wing Rider Coaster'', Furius Baco at PortAventura Park was the first and currently only ride of its type.<ref name="Intamin WingRide">{{cite web|title=Wing Rider Coaster|url=http://www.intaminworldwide.com/amusement/RollerCoasters/Wing+Rider+Coaster/tabid/138/ProductNumber/Wing+Rider+Coaster/language/de-DE/Default.aspx|publisher=Intamin|access-date=5 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920180628/http://www.intaminworldwide.com/amusement/RollerCoasters/Wing+Rider+Coaster/tabid/138/ProductNumber/Wing+Rider+Coaster/language/de-DE/Default.aspx|archive-date=20 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> It launches riders from 0 to {{Convert|135|km/h|mph}} in 3.5 seconds with trains that seat six rows of four people (two on either side of the track).<ref name="Furius Baco" />

In addition to the ''Wing Rider Coaster'', Intamin also introduced a model named ''Wing Coaster''.<ref>{{cite RCDB|rcdb_number=13905|coaster_name=Wing Coaster|access-date=13 August 2019}}</ref> The first installation was Skyrush at Hersheypark in 2012, and the latest Flying Aces at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. The trains feature four seats per row: two center seats positioned over the track and have a floor, while two hang over the side and are the "wings".<ref>{{cite web | title=Skyrush - Rollercoaster Supplier & Amusement Ride Manufacturer | website=Intamin | date=3 November 2016 | url=https://www.intaminworldwide.com/project/skyrush/ | access-date=14 August 2019}}</ref>

The Wing Coaster is also similar to the 4th Dimension roller coaster concept from the 1990s. However, unlike 4th Dimension roller coasters, cars on a Wing Coaster train do not spin — they are locked in place. Examples of 4th Dimension roller coasters include X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain and Eejanaika at Fuji-Q Highland.<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=X2|location=Six Flags Magic Mountain|rcdb_number=750|access-date=24 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Eejanaika|location=Fuji-Q Highland|rcdb_number=3254|access-date=24 May 2012}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== {{commons category|Wing roller coasters}} * {{Official website|http://www.bolliger-mabillard.com/product/wing-coaster|name=Bolliger & Mabillard's Wing Coaster}}

Category:Types of roller coaster Category:Wing Coaster roller coasters Category:Roller coasters manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard