Air time (rides)
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In the context of
In 2001 the
Physics
Air time is a result of the effects of the inertia of the train and the riders: as the train goes over a hill transitioning from an ascent into a descent guided by the rails, the inertia of the relatively loosely-attached riders causes them to momentarily continue upwards, resulting in the riders being lifted out of their seats. The duration of air time on a particular hill is dependent on the velocity of the train, gravity, and the radius of the track's transition from ascent to descent. Zero-G (where the net vertical G-force is 0) is achieved when the downward acceleration of the train is equal to that due to gravity; where the downward acceleration is greater, negative Gs arise.[citation needed]
The
Air time is generally understood to fall under two categories: "floater" air time and "ejector" air time. Floater air time provides passengers with the sensation of gently floating upwards, which can be described as near perfect weightlessness. Ejector is more violent and sudden, producing a sharp moment of negative g-forces lifting riders up off their seats. Roller coasters built by the manufacturing company Rocky Mountain Construction are famous for providing ejector air time.[citation needed]
As well as rollercoasters, drop towers can provide the feeling of weightlessness. For example, in the case of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Tokyo DisneySea, and Disneyland Paris, the elevator drops riders faster than gravity normally would, causing them to rise off of their seats by several inches whilst being held down by only a seat belt, creating the sensation of zero-G. Most drop towers, however, have shoulder bars, preventing riders from rising significantly from their seats, even where negative Gs are present.[citation needed]
The motion-simulator ride
References
- ^ U.S. News & World Report - Volume 127, Issues 1-8 - Page 66 1999 -"In search of lost whirls Touring America's retro amusement parks where children have visited Gepetto's workshop and the Old Lady ... "All of that air time, minimal restraints— there's just nothing like the Jack Rabbit anymore," he gushes. "
- PMID 12427321.
- ^ "G-Forces and Greyouts: The Science Behind Roller Coasters". Rice Catalyst. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
- ^ Guinness World Records 2001- Page 86 "Superman The Escape, located at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California, USA, is the fastest roller coaster in the world. They experience a record 6.5 seconds of 'airtime', or negative G-force."