Enterprise (ride)
The Enterprise is an amusement ride, manufactured primarily by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in 1972.[1] The ride was an adaptation and improvement of a design produced earlier that year by Schwarzkopf, with an increased passenger capacity.[1] Despite not owning the original incarnation of the ride, HUSS was issued the patent.[1]
The ride is named after USS Enterprise from the TV series Star Trek. The backdrop is decorated with space-themed art and a silhouette of the starship Enterprise.
Enterprises are manufactured by HUSS, Schwarzkopf, and Heinz Fähtz; all sharing the name Enterprise. Both trailer and park versions have been created and in use.
Design and operation
In the ride, up to two people sit in one of 20 gondolas arranged in a circle, one in front of the other.[1] The ride moves clockwise, dispelling a slight amount of centrifugal force.[1] A hydraulically-powered arm underneath the ride then raises and tilts the frame so that the ride is rotating at 87° from the horizontal, transforming the ride from a horizontal experience to a nearly vertical one.[1]
On most Enterprise models there are no safety restraints; the force applied to the riders is sufficient to keep them pinned in their seats,[1] however, some models have been fitted with seat belts. Most parks and carnivals require riders to be at least 48 inches tall, though it is not uncommon to see restrictions as much as 54 inches or more. The transportable version of the ride racks onto two trailers, the first carrying the wheel, arm, and drive systems while the second is loaded with the gondolas, platforms, and any additional equipment.[1] The first trailer also acts as the base of the ride while in operation.[1]
Variants
Giant Enterprise/SkyLab
In the early 1980s HUSS produced a larger version of the Enterprise called the SkyLab. It features fifteen to twenty four-seater gondolas (up to two riders per seat) and had a diameter of approximately 60 feet or greater. Most SkyLabs have been dismantled, however there are three known models still operating, The Orbiter at Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario, Super Planet at Yokohama Cosmo World in Yokohama City, Japan and Sky Loop at Luna Park in Tel Aviv, Israel.
UFO
HUSS used the basis of the Enterprise for another ride called the UFO. This ride was similar in operation, however the cars did not swing freely and riders stood up facing the center of the ride. Similarly to most Enterprise rides, there are no restraints due to the centrifugal force experienced on the ride. This ride is no longer in production.
Fly Away
HUSS also used the design of the Enterprise for a newer attraction called Fly Away. In this version, riders lay on their stomachs to simulate the feeling of flying.
Schwarzkopf
The Schwarzkopf versions of the Enterprise have either 16 or 21 gondolas, thus having a different diameter of the wheel.[1] The gondolas are also smaller than the HUSS version. Originally, the gondolas were produced in-house; they were later replaced by gondolas manufactured separately by Reverchon.[1]
Heinz Fähtz
Heinz Fähtz manufactured some 16-gondola Enterprises. The last known operating park model is at Darien Lake, installed in 1980.[2] Another portable ride is traveled in New Zealand by Mahons Amusements, loading on 2 trailers complete with backflash.
Appearances
- Note: Schwarzkopf versions of the ride are indicated with "(SDC)" following the park or operator name. The Heinz Fähtz Enterprise is marked "(HF)".
- Argentina – Two Enterprises; Enterprise I at Parque de la Ciudad and Enterprise II at Parque de la Ciudad (SDC).
- India −5 enterprises;three at Mumbai 2 in Six Flags and 1 at Play Land, 1 at New Delhi at essel world and one at Hydrabad at Musky Mountain
- Colombia – one enterprise at parque nacional del cafe
- Australia – Four Enterprises; The Enterprise at Luna Park Melbourne, Reef Diver at Dreamworld (SDC), one traveling model. The fourth is under refurbishment, location unknown.[1]
- Canada – At least three Enterprises; one at Playland, The STORM, at Calaway Park, and several portable models. At least one Skylab, The Orbiter at Canada's Wonderland
- Denmark – One Enterprise; 'Enterprise' at Bakken.
- Egypt – One in Dream Park; largest amusement park in Egypt and the Middle East
- Estonia – At least one; a traveling model owned by Tivoli Tuur. Got into fire in 2007. 41 were inuried.[3]
- Finland – At least two; Enterprise at Tykkimäki amusement park[4] and Kehrä at Linnanmäki amusement park (SDC) (from 2009).
- Germany – Only one travelling Enterprise; Mondlift owned by Zehle.,[5] plus a few stationary Enterprises in different amusement parks – all manufactured by Huss.
- The Netherlands – Three Enterprises; Enterprice at Attractiepark Slagharen (SDC), G-Force at Walibi Holland, Kwal at Drievliet.
- New Zealand – One Traveling Enterprise, 'Enterprise' Mahons Amusements"(HF)".
- Israel – One in the Luna Park in Tel Aviv (this is the only mobile built Sky Lab ride that had been travelled in Germany in 1979–1990).
- Spain – At least one; La Turbina at Parque de Atracciones, Madrid.[6] (SDC)
- United Kingdom At least Seven; Enterprise at Dreamland Margate, Black Widow's Web at Lightwater Valley, Zodiac at Thorpe Park, Enterprise at Alton Towers, Enterprise at Flamingoland,The Captain's Wheel at Loudoun Castle. ,and a traveling Enterprise owned by Funfair Props.[7]
- United States of America[8] – At least seventeen; Enterprise at Casino Pier, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Valleyfair!, Lake Compounce, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, the Strates Shows traveling railway carnival, and Murphy Bros. Exposition; Highland Fling at Six Flags St. Louis (SDC); Centennial Screamer at Lagoon Amusement Park; Silver Bullet at the Darien Lake Theme Park Resort (HF); Vertigo at Alabama Adventure; Volcano (formerly Enterprise) at Kennywood Park; Wheelie at Six Flags Over Georgia (SDC); Witches' Wheel at Cedar Point; The Orbit at Six Flags Great America (SDC) and California's Great America (SDC); Scream Weaver at Carowinds; and Zulu at Worlds of Fun. Wagon Wheel at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
Past appearances
- Apple Turnover at Kings Dominion (1976–1991), Doswell, Virginia
- Skylab at Kings Island (1986–1997), Mason, Ohio
- Enterprise at Tusenfryd (1988–2006), Ås, Norway
- Enterprise at Wasalandia (1988–1996), Vaasa, Finland
- Skylab at The Great Escape in Queensbury, NY (closed in 2001). The ride is still on Great Escape property, In storage in the Boneyard at the Great Escape.
- Nightwing at Six Flags New England (closed in 2008)
- Enterprise (Huss Portable Model) at Six Flags Great Adventure (1975–1977)
- Enterprise/Spin Meister (Schwarzkopf Park Model) at Six Flags Great Adventure (1979–2005)
- Cyclops at Hershey Park, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Enterprise/Reactor at Six Flags Magic Mountain
- Loop Trainer Flying Machine (Schwarzkopf Park Model) at Knott's Berry Farm (1976–1989)
Major Incidents
- October 17, 1983 – An eighteen year old man was killed and several bystanders were injured at the Texas State Fair when a gondola fell off the ride.[9]
- September 22, 2001 – two teenagers sustained minor injuries when one support on a gondola broke on Zodiac, the enterprise at Thorpe Park, UK.[10] The gondola repeatedly hit the decking at the bottom of the ride whilst the operator attempted to stop the ride. The incident was taken to court, where the judge criticised the length of time it took to shut down the ride after an abnormal noise had been noticed. The park was fined £65,000 and made to pay an extra £35,000 in costs.
- May 18, 2007 – An Estonian Enterprise owned by Tivoli Tuur and operating at a carnival in Rakvere caught fire.[3] The ride was in motion, with riders aboard, when the fire suddenly ignited at approximately 11:00p.m.[11] The ride was stopped and evacuated, but not before injuries were sustained by the riders.[11] 31 patients were hospitalized with first- and second-degree burns, with an additional 10 admitted and checked for possible smoke inhalation. Six burn victims required further treatment, with all six released from hospital by May 23.[3][11] The fire damaged the ride's electrical systems and five of the twenty gondolas.[3] The ride owner suggested arson was to blame, although preliminary investigations found no evidence supporting this.[3]
References