Flying Turns (Knoebels)

Infobox roller coaster
name= Flying Turns

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caption=Construction of Flying Turns
location= Knoebels
section=
type= Wood
type2= Bobsled
type3=
status= Under Construction
opened=
manufacturer= Knoebels staff
designer= John Fetterman,
from a 1920s design by
John Miller and [http://rcdb.com/cd353.htm John Norman Bartlett]
model=
track=
lift=
height= 50
drop=
length= 1300
speed= 24
inversions=0
duration=
angle=
capacity=
cost=
acceleration=
gforce=
restriction= 48
rcdb_number= 3458 In January 2006, Knoebels began construction of a Flying Turns, a type of Bobsled roller coaster, modeled after a similar ride designed by [http://rcdb.com/cd353.htm John Norman Bartlett] and John Miller in the 1920s. The ride concept is similar to a modern steel bobsled roller coaster, however the Flying Turns will be made of wood, like the original rides.The layout of the ride is most similar to the original one that was at Riverview Park in Chicago, Illinois.

In July 2007 the maintenance crew ran the first test car test runs which were completed successfully. Then in October 2007 the same crew ran the first powered complete test runs of the same test cars, and gave the roller coaster enthusiasts a tour during the Phoenix Phall Phunfest 2007. Later that month they began to run test runs of a five car test train which will be the full length of the train.

As of May 2008, the ride has yet to be opened and is still undergoing testing. Amusement park officials have said that the delay is due to an issue with the roller coaster car's wheels, which were causing the test cars to vibrate, and the wheels have thus been shipped back to California to correct the issue. In July 2008 the problem with the rides was the carts were to small for the average sized person. Knoebels hopes to open the ride by the end of the 2008 season.

As of the end of August 2008, the ride is still not operating. There is one cart sitting on the track, with no signs of any other carts. After talking to several Knoebels employees, it would seem as though the issue is still the carts. This issue not being that the carts are too small, but that they are going to fast for the safety of the passengers. With Knoebels only being opened another four weekends from this point, it is becoming less and less likely that the ride will run before the end of the 2008 season.

External links

* [http://www.flyingturnsproject.com/ Flying Turns project website]
* [http://dalado.smugmug.com/gallery/3182941 Construction Photos]
* [http://www.coasterfanatics.com/sec_features/feature_turns.asp Walking Tour of the Flying Turns (10.07.2006)]
* [http://www.storytellersmediagroup.com/Flying%20Turns/FlyingTurns.htm "Flying Turns - Resurrecting a Legend". 2007 documentary by Storytellers Media Group about Flying Turns construction at Knoebels Amusement Resort]