Jump to content

Hypersonic XLC

Coordinates: 37°50′14″N 77°26′46″W / 37.837155°N 77.445974°W / 37.837155; -77.445974
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Fayenatic london (talk | contribs) at 10:23, 1 December 2020 (top: revert anachronistic use of "S&S – Sansei Technologies"). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Hypersonic XLC
The launch section
Kings Dominion
LocationKings Dominion
Park sectionThe Grove
Coordinates37°50′14″N 77°26′46″W / 37.837155°N 77.445974°W / 37.837155; -77.445974
StatusRemoved
Opening dateMarch 24, 2001
Closing dateOctober 28, 2007
Cost$8,000,000 USD
General statistics
TypeSteel – Launched
ManufacturerS&S – Sansei Technologies
DesignerS&S – Sansei Technologies
ModelThrust Air 2000
Track layoutout-and-back
Lift/launch systemPneumatic
Height165 ft (50 m)
Drop133 ft (41 m)
Length1,560 ft (480 m)
Speed80 mph (130 km/h)
Inversions0
Duration16 seconds
Max vertical angle90°
Capacity1,380 riders per hour
Acceleration0-80 in 1.8 seconds
G-force4.0
Height restriction54 in (137 cm)
Hypersonic XLC at RCDB

Hypersonic XLC was a roller coaster located at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia. Hypersonic was built by S&S Worldwide (now S&S – Sansei Technologies), a company specializing in air-powered rides, and was the first compressed air launch coaster in the world. Hypersonic was S&S Worldwide's actual prototype for an air-launched coaster, called Thrust Air 2000.

The ride was originally fabricated by Intermountain Lift, Inc.[1] It was reconstructed at Kings Dominion after being moved from its original location in Utah. S&S Worldwide also greatly modified the section following the 90° drop to accommodate Kings Dominion's landscape and to properly bank the turn.[2] Hypersonic XLC suffered extended downtime, and was closed for nearly three months at the beginning of Kings Dominion's 2002 season.

In 2007, Hypersonic XLC was closed and later dismantled. The platform is all that remains at the ride's former location between Grizzly and Twisted Timbers.

Ride experience

After a launch from 0 to 80 mph (130 km/h) in 1.8 seconds up a 90° incline, the ride crested a 165-foot (50 m) hill, and without fully slowing, plummeted down a 90° dive. Next, the coaster performed a banked left turn, went through a smaller banked right turn, and skirted a small hill before heading into the brake run.

Riders face the 90° dive in front of the now defunct Hurler.

Launch system

Hypersonic XLC's launch system was comparatively new technology utilizing compressed air to launch the ride train. It is very similar to the launch system used to launch Space Shot rides, also developed by S&S – Sansei Technologies. Characteristics of compressed air launches are shorter runways and quicker acceleration, when compared to hydraulic and LIM/LSM launch platforms.

The compressed air launch system is used on the world's fastest accelerating ride, Do-Dodonpa, which accelerates to 112 mph (180 km/h) in just 1.56 seconds. It was also used on Ring Racer. Rides such as Kingda Ka and Top Thrill Dragster have a higher top speed than Dodonpa, but Dodonpa is the ride with the quickest acceleration.

Current status

During the 2006 off-season, Kings Dominion put Hypersonic XLC up for sale.[3] In January 2008, the park removed Hypersonic from its web site.[4] On the park's opening day on March 22, 2008, Hypersonic XLC had been disassembled and was placed in its current laydown yard, along part of the park's back road.

References

  1. ^ "Amusement". Intermountain Lift, Inc. July 30, 2011. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  2. ^ Press Release (Hypersonic XLC, The Xtreme Launch Coaster- Designed to thrill!)
  3. ^ http://www.italintl.com/detail_page.php?record_id=937
  4. ^ "Kings Dominion | Virginia's Premier Themed Amusement Park (Richmond)". Archived from the original on 2011-10-03. Retrieved 2008-02-07.