Falcon's Fury

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Falcon's Fury
Falcon's Fury
Data
Location Busch Gardens Tampa , Tampa , Florida , USA
opening 2nd September 2014
Type Free fall tower
model Sky jump
Manufacturer Intamin
costs 5-6 million  dollars
height 102 meters
Fall distance 94 meters
speed 97 km / h
surface 330 m²
delay 3.5  g
capacity 800 people / hour
People per gondola 32
Travel time 2 minutes
Subject area Pantopia
Theming Hawks

Falcon's Fury ( German about "violence of the Hawks") is a drop tower on the model Sky Jump the manufacturer Intamin in US amusement park Busch Gardens in Tampa , Florida , which was officially opened on September 2, 2014. At the time of its opening, the 102-meter-high facility was the tallest free-standing free-fall tower in North America and the first in the world to have the seats rotated 90 degrees forwards so that passengers can look straight down. During the approximately five-second fall over 94 meters, the gondola accelerates to 97 km / h. Falcon's Fury is the main attraction in the 2014 redesigned Africa themed Pantopia area . The name alludes to the hunting behavior of a falcon , which often catches its prey in a dive.

history

Plans and rumors

Planning for Falcon's Fury began as construction on the Cheetah Hunt roller coaster neared completion in 2011. After soil samples uncovered “interesting soil conditions”, it was clear that a pile foundation would be necessary for the foundation .

The first rumors that Busch Gardens Tampa could replace the Sandstorm amusement park with a 61 meter high free-fall tower arose in 2011 when the sister park Busch Gardens Williamsburg opened the free-fall attraction Mäch Tower in August of that year . Two months later construction plans for a free fall tower came to the public. With the application for trademark protection for the name "Falcon's Fury" as a ride in July 2012 by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment , the parent company of Busch Gardens Tampa, speculation began about the name of the new attraction.

Announcement and construction

Pile foundation at the Falcon's Fury site in July 2013
The gondola is pulled up while hanging from the catch car

On May 31, 2013, Busch Gardens announced that Sandstorm would make its final run on June 2, 2013 and make way for a new attraction. About two weeks later, on June 11, 2013, Falcon's Fury was officially announced. Construction work began that same month. In winter, steel piles for the foundation were driven into the ground every night for over a month.

On September 20th, the Falcon's Fury tower was shipped in nine pieces from Spain to Tampa, where they arrived in late October. Before that, smaller parts had already been delivered from various European countries. The original plan was that a section of the tower would be assembled each night and that the top would take its place on New Year's Eve. The tower was built by the Adena Corporation of Ohio . However, the construction work was delayed, so that after the first part on November 18, 2013, the eighth component could only be put into position around one and a half months later, on January 5, 2014, with the tower reaching a height of 91 meters. The Falcon's Fury gondola was spotted in the park on January 12th. The nacelle counterweight was installed on January 22nd, before the last section of the tower was finally brought into position on the first weekend in February. The electrical work began shortly afterwards and the assembly of the nacelle was completed at the end of March. Due to various delays in the construction work, the first test runs could not begin until mid-April 2014. In early June, artists started painting a sunset on the tower within 60 hours.

At the end of February 2014, Busch Gardens announced that Falcon's Fury would open to visitors on May 1st. On April 3, 2014, the park launched a competition for a “Falcon's Fury First-to-Ride Party”. Another similar competition was initiated on April 11, 2014. Fifty random people from each competition would become the first passengers on Falcon's Fury . A week later, Busch Gardens announced that the opening of the new attraction would have to be postponed. Various press conferences and the two first-to-ride parties have also been canceled. It was later revealed that there were problems with the ropes pulling the gondola up. During the week of August 10th, Falcon's Fury was only open to park employees. The soft opening started on August 16 , during which the work processes at the new attraction were tested under real conditions. About two and a half weeks later, on September 2, 2014, Falcon's Fury was finally officially opened.

journey

After the visitors have taken their seats and closed the brackets, the gondola on the catch car, a platform connected to the motors in the top of the tower by ropes, into which the gondola is suspended, is lifted to a height of within a minute 94 meters pulled. This means that it remains around eight meters below the total height of the tower. Once at the top, the seats are tilted forward 90 degrees so that visitors can look straight down. A computer randomly determines the time between one and five seconds that elapses before the gondola drops. When the time is up, the anchorage is released and the gondola falls towards the ground for around five seconds at a maximum speed of 97 km / h. The seats are rotated back to their original position about halfway through the fall. The gondola then enters the braking zone, where it is decelerated with a maximum of 3.5  g (around 34.3 m / s²). After the gondola has come to a standstill in the station, the visitors leave their seats and the catch car drives down again. A ride takes about two minutes.

technology

tower

The Falcon's Fury tower, made of steel with a thickness of around nine centimeters, is 102 meters high, has a diameter of 3.7 meters and consists of nine individual parts, the heaviest of which weighs 105 tons. The entire structure of the tower weighs 519 tons. In the machine house at the top, which weighs more than 77 tons, there are four DC motors that pull the nacelle upwards. They are supported by a 68-ton counterweight that moves up and down within the tower. The foundation consists of 105 steel piles, the length of which varies between 23 and 62 meters. With strong horizontal forces, such as those that can occur in a hurricane , the tower can sway around 90 centimeters in each direction with the tip. Since steel expands when it is heated, the tower always bends slightly away from the sun when exposed to sunlight. After the free fall, the nacelle is inductively decelerated by a 42 meter long braking section made up of fail-safe eddy current brakes at the bottom of the tower . The electrically conductive brake blades are attached to the tower; the permanent magnets are on the nacelle. The tower of the amusement ride, which has an area of ​​around 330 m², is painted in yellow, blue and red.

gondola

One of the eight rows of seats in Falcon's Fury

Falcon's Fury has a gondola with 32 octagon-shaped seats at the edges. There are four seats on each edge. The visitors are held in their seats by lap bars and “vests” attached to them that run over the shoulders of the passengers. The passengers must be between 1.37 and 1.93 meters tall to be allowed to ride. With a travel time of around two minutes, the theoretical capacity is 800 people per hour. On the side of each row of seats are “wings” made of synthetic resin reinforced with carbon fibers . The gondola is only pulled to a height of 94 meters, which brings it to a stop around eight meters below the top of the tower. Once at the top, the seats are tilted forward 90 degrees so that the visitors look straight down.

Records

At the time of opening, Falcon's Fury was the tallest free-standing free-fall tower in North America. The two systems Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom in Six Flags Magic Mountain and Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom in Six Flags Great Adventure are higher at 120 and 126 meters respectively, but they are attached to the existing steel structures of the roller coasters Superman: Escape from Krypton respectively Kingda Ka was built. In addition, Falcon's Fury is the first example of the manufacturer's Sky Jump model and is also the world's first free-fall tower in which the seats are rotated 90 degrees forward. Intamin installed tilting seats in 2001 on Acrophobia in Six Flags Over Georgia and in 2002 on The High Fall in Movie Park Germany , but the inclination was only a few degrees.

reception

The response to the Falcon's Fury announcement has been largely positive. Lance Hart of the Screamscape website joked that "instead of driving photos, they [Busch Gardens] should sell wet wipes and dry underwear at the exit," and the attraction could become the world's scariest freefall tower. Theme Park Review's Robb Alvey said Falcon's Fury could easily become the world's best freefall tower and later put it on his 2014 list of 14 best novelties. Brady MacDonald of the Los Angeles Times put Falcon's Fury on his 2014 hottest novelty list in 7th place, but corrected this assessment to 17th place in April 2014.

After the soft opening, the reactions were also positive. The Total Orlando website gave the attraction five stars for teenagers and four stars for adults out of five each. An editor at Floridatripguides.com said the ride was a great addition to the park's attractions and wrote, “ Falcon's Fury is not for the faint of heart. I've skied dozens of free fall towers, but this one is different. Something like looking straight down and falling right makes you nervous. ”According to Robert Niles of Themeparkinsider magazine ,“ you come to a point where, although you make an attraction better known by setting a new record, you are actually reducing its target audience. ”

Web links

Commons : Falcon's Fury  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Sky Jump - Falcon's Fury. (No longer available online.) Intamin, archived from the original on October 5, 2014 ; accessed on September 25, 2014 (English). Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.intaminworldwide.com
  2. ↑ a b c Sharon Kennedy Wynne: Falcon's Fury up and running at Busch Gardens; here's what it's like to ride. Tampa Bay Times, Aug. 26, 2014, archived from the original on Aug. 26, 2014 ; accessed on August 27, 2014 .
  3. ^ Susan Thurston: As Busch Gardens awaits Falcon's Fury, Pantopia opens. Tampa Bay Times, April 25, 2014, accessed August 30, 2015 .
  4. ↑ a b c d e Scott Fais: Fury Rising: Busch Gardens ready to assemble Florida's tallest thrill. Bay News 9, November 14, 2013; archived from the original on November 20, 2013 ; accessed on August 27, 2014 .
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  9. ^ New at our Parks. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, archived from the original on April 13, 2014 ; accessed on August 27, 2014 .
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  17. ↑ a b c d e f Susan Thurston: Thrill ride raises the bar for Busch Gardens. Tampa Bay Times, Nov. 1, 2013; Archived from the original on Nov. 2, 2013 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  18. ↑ Adena to erect Amusement Park Rides for 2014 season. Adena Corporation, archived from the original on January 22, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  19. ^ First Falcon's Fury Tower Section Installed. BGTFans, November 18, 2013, archived from the original on October 9, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  20. ↑ Eighth Falcon's Fury Tower Section Installed. BGTFans, January 5, 2014, archived from the original on October 9, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  21. ↑ Richard Tribou: Nice drop: Busch Gardens videos simulate new ride as if you were in Orlando, Miami. Orlando Sentinel, Jan. 9, 2014; Archived from the original on Jan. 22, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  22. ^ Falcon's Fury Carriage Sections Have Arrived. (No longer available online.) BGTFans, January 12, 2014, archived from the original on October 9, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / bgtfans.com
  23. ↑ Busch Gardens Tampa: Construction update: This 68-ton counterweight was installed inside Falcon's Fury today. Twitter, January 22, 2014, archived from the original on March 27, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  24. ↑ a b Dewayne Bevil: Timbuktu turns into Pantopia at Busch Gardens. Orlando Sentinel, February 5, 2014, archived from the original on February 10, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  25. ↑ Falcon's Fury Construction Update # 20. (No longer available online.) BGTFans, March 20, 2014, archived from the original on October 9, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / bgtfans.com
  26. ↑ a b Ted Jackovics: Opening of new Busch Gardens ride delayed. The Tampa Tribune, April 18, 2014, archived from the original April 19, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  27. ↑ Falcon's Fury First Full Height Test Drop. (No longer available online.) BGTFans, April 14, 2014, archived from the original on April 16, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / bgtfans.com
  28. ^ Scott Fais: Thrill ride and art project: Falcon's Fury as a canvas. Bay News 9, July 1, 2014, archived from the original on August 2, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  29. ↑ Ted Jackovics: Busch Gardens sets opening date for Falcon's Fury. The Tampa Tribune, February 28, 2014, archived from the original March 1, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  30. ↑ Stephanie Fred: Want to be among the first to ride Falcon's Fury? Busch Gardens Tampa, April 3, 2014, archived from the original on April 9, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  31. ^ Matt Turner, Falcon's Fury First-to-Ride Sweepstakes Official Rules. Busch Gardens Tampa April 1, 2014, archived from the original April 9, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  32. ↑ Busch Gardens Tampa: It's time for another giveaway! Facebook, April 11, 2014, accessed August 30, 2014 .
  33. ↑ Opening day of Falcon's Fury at Busch Gardens might be delayed. Tampa Bay Times, Aug. 14, 2014; archived from the original on April 18, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  34. ^ Dewayne Bevil: Falcon's Fury at Busch Gardens not yet ready for launch. Orlando Sentinel, Aug 26, 2014; Archived from the original on Aug 26, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  35. ↑ Susan Thurston: As parent company stock falters, Busch Gardens' Falcon's Fury ride misses opening in time for summer crowds. Tampa Bay Times, August 13, 2014; archived from the original on August 14, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  36. ↑ Sharon Kennedy Wynne: Busch Gardens visitors get to try new Falcon's Fury drop ride. Tampa Bay Times, August 18, 2014, archived from the original August 18, 2014 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  37. ↑ Sharon Kennedy Wynne: Falcon's Fury drop ride officially open at Busch Gardens. Tampa Bay Times, September 2, 2014, archived from the original September 2, 2014 ; accessed on September 3, 2014 .
  38. ↑ Theme Park Review: Falcon's Fury Drop Ride Construction Tour Feb 5th 2014 Busch Gardens Tampa. YouTube, February 5, 2014, accessed August 30, 2014 .
  39. ↑ a b Susan Thurston: Facedown, at 60 mph. (Pdf) Tampa Bay Times, June 12, 2013, archived from the original June 29, 2013 ; accessed on August 30, 2014 .
  40. ↑ a b Busch Gardens Tampa: Falcon's Fury Webisode 4th YouTube, August 15, 2014, accessed August 30, 2014 .
  41. ^ Dewayne Bevil: Busch Gardens: Big pieces for big-drop ride arrive. Orlando Sentinel, October 29, 2013; Archived from the original on October 30, 2013 ; accessed on August 31, 2014 .
  42. ^ Preston Rudie: Busch Gardens' new 335-foot tall ride is hurricane proof. 10 News, February 5, 2014, archived from the original on February 15, 2014 ; accessed on August 31, 2014 .
  43. ^ Dewayne Bevil: Busch Gardens: Five things to know about Falcon's Fury. Orlando Sentinel, February 6, 2014, archived from the original on February 9, 2014 ; accessed on August 31, 2014 .
  44. ↑ a b Susan Thurston: Busch Gardens announces plans for Falcon's Fury, a 335-foot 'drop tower'. Tampa Bay Times June 11, 2013; Archived from the original October 30, 2013 ; accessed on August 31, 2014 .
  45. ^ Tamara Lush: New thrill ride to debut at Busch Gardens. Florida Today, March 27, 2014, archived from the original on March 27, 2014 ; accessed on August 31, 2014 .
  46. ↑ Amanda Oglesby: New Six Flags ride 'Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom' to feature 90-mph drop. Detroit Free Press, August 30, 2013; Archived from the original September 1, 2013 ; accessed on August 31, 2014 .
  47. ^ Brady MacDonald: Six Flags Magic Mountain set to debut new thrill ride. Los Angeles Times, September 1, 2011, archived from the original on May 20, 2013 ; accessed on August 31, 2014 .
  48. ↑ The High Fall. Amusement Park World, accessed August 28, 2014 .
  49. ↑ Floorless tilting gyro drop. (pdf) Intamin, archived from the original on August 5, 2014 ; accessed on August 31, 2014 .
  50. ↑ Screamscape: Just thinking… Twitter, June 11, 2013, archived from the original on March 27, 2014 ; accessed on September 1, 2014 (English).
  51. ↑ Screamscape: I got to admit,… Twitter, June 11, 2013, archived from the original on March 27, 2014 ; accessed on September 1, 2014 (English).
  52. ↑ Theme Park Review: Still amazed… Twitter, June 11, 2013, archived from the original on March 27, 2014 ; accessed on September 2, 2014 .
  53. ^ Robb Alvey: Hottest Amusement Park Attractions 2014. Travel Channel, archived from the original on March 28, 2014 ; accessed on September 2, 2014 .
  54. ↑ Brady MacDonald: Top 14 theme park rides for 2014: Most anticipated new rides. Los Angeles Times, July 7, 2013, archived from the original January 6, 2014 ; accessed on September 1, 2014 (English).
  55. ↑ Brady MacDonald: 32 best new theme park additions of 2014. Los Angeles Times, April 1, 2014, archived from the original on April 10, 2014 ; accessed on September 1, 2014 (English).
  56. ^ Falcon's Fury Soft Openings - Taking Place August 2014. Total Orlando, archived from the original on August 20, 2014 ; accessed on September 1, 2014 (English).
  57. ↑ Falcon's Fury: Dropping at Busch Gardens. Floridatripguides.com, August 23, 2014, archived from the original on August 27, 2014 ; accessed on September 1, 2014 (English).
  58. ↑ Michael Kruse: Falcon's Fury at Busch Gardens in Tampa sounds like a terrible idea. Tampa Bay Times, Aug. 27, 2014; archived from the original on Aug. 27, 2014 ; accessed on September 1, 2014 (English).

Coordinates: 28 ° 2 ′ 15.5 "  N , 82 ° 25 ′ 22"  W.

This version was added to the list of articles worth reading on September 5, 2015 .