| Pics | Air |
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This is the brand new coaster for 2002 and its another one of John Wardley great creations and its going down a treat. The coaster is called AIR it stands for Arial Inversion Ride. At this point your probably wondering what is so special about it well it gives the sensation of flying the riders lye below the track. You board the train like you would board nemesis except once the floor drops it pulls the seat up into the flying position as it does this the lights in the station turn blue and a voice says "prepare for air...assume the position...now fly" and off the train goes up the lift hill. The coaster doesn't move particularly fast but it sure does feel like your flying. There is two stations to increase through put but this doesn't usually work as trains get broken and get stuck on the break run this is why the queue is on average around 2 hours. Air is not really themed like anything else in the valley because it is at the bottom it is said to be the calm part of forbidden valley there isn't really any theming just a few rocks but the coaster doesn't need it because most people are looking at the trains to be bothered about theming. |
| March 16th | |
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As I ran down the valley I was stunned to watch the train fly around the track I was like WOW we need to ride but as I saw the queue I had the idea to get a v-queue. So I Thought I would pass some time on nemesis I was kinda shocked because I completely ignored good old nemesis when I entered the valley anyway it was 10.45am and my virtual queue was ready I entered the separate queue line for v-queue which I thought would be quicker but oh no it was still 1 hour and 30 minute wait but we were there ready to board for my first flight on AIR. We got in the seats and I was shocked at how comfy they were yet how loose the restraints are but no time for being nervous we were up up and away and half way up the lift hill. Its kinda weird looking down on the floor and the people below but when the train gets to the top your looking down on nemesis then click off the lift hill you go down and round the first helix and WOW the feeling at that point is unbelievable you really do feel like your flying but the feeling gets more weird when the train is on its back and you are looking up at the sky then next thing you know you back looking at the floor again a tight helix and round through a barrel roll then you enter the last part of the ride this part in my eyes it the best it seems the fastest part and you seem very close to the floor round another tight helix dodging a few carefully positioned boulders which you have a near miss with and back into the break run and a sigh of relief. The ride totally left me breathless I looked at my friend chell and we both said AMAZING that 1 hour and 30 minute wait seemed suddenly worth it. |
| My opinion | |
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Although I love this ride its sad to see it braking down so much so I could only give this a 9 out of 10 as the wait for it can drag on and on and on. So un-till Alton sort it out it will stay 9 out of 10. But it does give a good sensation of flying but doesn't quite give the thrill like Nemesis |
| Quick facts | |
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Project name - Secret Weapon 5 Ride name - AIR Opening date - 16th March 2002 Designers John - Wardley and B&M Type of ride - Flying roller coaster Location - Forbidden Valley, Alton Towers, England Stations - Dual loading station. Crosses other rides - Nemesis and the monorail twice Trains - 3 trains each with 7 rows, each row with 4 seats Cost - £12 million G-forces - 3G Track length - 840 metres Height of drop - 20 metres Duration - 189 secs Max speed - 75km ph Capacity per hour - 1500 |
| More pictures soon.... | |
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