Thrust Air 2000

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A Thrust Air 2000 (commonly known as a thrust air coaster) is a unique form of launched roller-coaster created by S&S Worldwide, Inc., that uses refrigerated, compressed air to shoot a rubber-wheeled car down a steel track. The world-famous Dodonpa is the only production model in existence and was once the fastest roller coaster in the world and is still one of the fastest accelerating roller coasters in the world. There is another model, the HyperSonic XLC, which is now defunct.

About developer

Hypersonic XLC riders go over the main hill.

The president and founder of S&S Power, Inc., Stan Checketts, was originally a furniture- and cabinet maker. In 1989 he and his wife, Sandy Checketts, founded Sports Tower, which developed hugely popular vertical bungee-jump pillars. In January 1993 they created their second enterprise, S&S Sports, Inc. It created the Trampoline Thing, a bungee jump/trampoline combination. This company was eventually sold, so in 1993, they created their last company, S&S Power, Inc. Under this company, the developed the Space Shot, a drop tower type attraction where the passenger rigs are shot up the tower by Ingersoll-Rand screw type compressed air motors at 50 mph (80 km/h). Later, they developed another type of drop tower called the Turbo Drop, which shot passengers down the tower at 40 mph (64 km/h). These compressed air towers were the precursors to the Thrust Air 2000.^[1]

Prototype

The prototype Thrust Air 2000 was made in 1999 at the S&S Power plant in Utah.

Stats

Height: 165 ft (50 m).
Climb: 90 degrees
Drop: 90 degrees
Acceleration: 0-80 mph (0-128.7 km/h) in 1.8 sec
Top Speed: about 80 mph (130 km/h)
Launch System: Ingersoll-Rand screw type compressor
Track layout: Out-and-back roller coaster
Track type: I-beam

References

↑ Coker, Robert. Roller Coasters: A Thrill Seeker's Guide to the Ultimate Scream Machine. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006.

External links

v t e S&S Worldwide

Notable installations

Current roller coaster models	4th Dimension Air-Launched El Loco Free Fly Polercoaster (in association with US Thrill Rides)

Current ride models	Combo Tower Double Shot Frog Hopper Jungle Swing Monkey Madness Screamin' Swing Space Shot Turbo Drop

Discontinued roller coaster models	Wooden

Discontinued ride models	Sky Sling Sky Swat

Website: www.engineeringexcitement.com

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