Flying Scooters

Flying Scooters, also known simply as Flyers, is an amusement ride consisting of a center post with ride vehicles suspended from arms attached to the center post. The ride dates back to the 1930s and 1940s when Bisch-Rocco manufactured the ride. In the early 2000s, Larson International revived the concept. In the early 2010s, Larson partnered with Majestic Manufacturing, Inc. to create a portable version of the ride.[1]

Air Crow at Indiana Beach. Note the "No snapping of cables" sign
Flyers in operation at Stricker's Grove

When the ride is in operation, a motor causes the arms to spin, with centrifugal forces causing the ride vehicles to fly outwards. Each ride vehicle is equipped with a large rudder, allowing riders to control the motion of their vehicle. The minimum rider height requirement is usually 36 inches tall or more.

Cable snapping

Although Flying Scooters are generally considered a mild ride, a skilled rider can "snap" the cables suspending the vehicle, and thus gain a more extreme and out-of-control experience. Snapping is caused by the cables slacking due to quick motions of the vehicle. Snapping is made easier on older and faster Flying Scooters rides such as the Flyer at Knoebels or others manufactured by Bisch-Rocco. Some newer models, such as those manufactured by Larson, are designed to prevent snapping. Snapping is sometimes discouraged due to maintenance and safety reasons, and in the case of some parks, snapping is punishable by the ride cycle being stopped early and the offending rider being removed from the ride.

Installations


NameParkLocationManufacturerOpenedStatusRef
FlyerKnoebels Amusement ResortUnited States United StatesBisch-Rocco1972Operating[2]
Flying FishStory LandUnited States United StatesLarson InternationalUnknownOperating[3]
Flying ScooterBland's ParkUnited States United StatesBisch-RoccoUnknownRemoved[4][5]
Flying ScooterAmericana Amusement ParkUnited States United StatesBisch-RoccoUnknownRemoved
Flying ScootersErieview ParkUnited States United StatesBisch-RoccoUnknownRemoved[6]
Flying ScootersStricker's GroveUnited States United StatesRay EversUnknownOperating
HurricaneLakeside Amusement ParkUnited States United StatesBisch-RoccoUnknownOperating
Flying ScootersWhalom ParkUnited States United StatesBisch-RoccoUnknownRemoved[7]
Rowdy RoostersCanobie Lake Park
Palisades Amusement Park		United States United StatesBisch-RoccoUnknownOperating
Mission Macaw
Formerly SS Stingray		Rides At Adventure Cove in Columbus ZooUnited States United StatesLarson International2008Operating[8]
Seabreeze FlyersSeabreeze Amusement ParkUnited States United StatesBisch-RoccoC. 1944Operating
Spirit of Kitty HawkFrontier VillageUnited States United StatesBisch-RoccoUnknownRemoved
Falcon Flyer
Flying Circus		Wild Adventures
Celebration City		United States United StatesLarson International2010
Unknown		Operating
Aerial Joy RideHersheyparkUnited States United StatesSpillman Manufacturing1941Removed
Flying AcesLagoon Amusement ParkUnited States United StatesBisch-Rocco1941Operating
Screaming EaglesFun Spot America (Kissimmee)United States United StatesLarson InternationalUnknownOperating
Dive BombersSanta's WorkshopUnited States United StatesBisch-RoccoUnknownOperating
Flying ScooterBushkill ParkUnited States United StatesBisch-Rocco1950Removed[4]
Flying ScootersPlayland ParkUnited States United StatesBisch-Rocco1950Removed[9]
Flying ScootersGeauga LakeUnited States United StatesBisch-Rocco1958Removed
Flying EaglesKings DominionUnited States United StatesBisch-Rocco1975Operating
Eagle's FlightHoliday WorldUnited States United StatesBisch-Rocco1976Operating[10]
Flying ScooterConneaut Lake Park
Euclid Beach Park
Old Indiana Fun Park		United States United StatesBisch-Rocco1997
Unknown
Unknown		Operating
Flying EaglesCalifornia's Great AmericaUnited States United StatesLarson International2002Operating
American Flyers
Formerly Phantom Phlyer		Lake Compounce
Kennywood
West View Park		United States United StatesBisch-Rocco2003
1995 to 1996
1937 to 1977		Operating
Frontier FlyersHersheyparkUnited States United StatesLarson International2003Operating[11]
Air CrowIndiana BeachUnited States United StatesLarson International2004Operating
Tink's Flying SchoolOakwood Theme ParkUnited Kingdom United KingdomLarson International2004Operating
Mountain Gliders
Formerly Woodstock Gliders, Phantom Flyers
Formerly Flying Eagles, Flying Scooters		Carowinds
Kings Island
Coney Island		United States United StatesBisch-Rocco2005
1972 to 2004
1940 to 1971		Operating
Flying ScootersCamden ParkUnited States United StatesLarson International2006Operating
Flying AcesIdlewild ParkUnited States United StatesPremier Rides2007Operating
Dragon FlyerCastle ParkUnited States United StatesLarson International2008Operating[12]
Hornet's NestSix Flags Darien LakeUnited States United StatesLarson International2012Operating[13]
Thunderbirds
Formerly Flying Scooters		Eldridge Park
Fun Spot Amusement Park & Zoo
Fantasy Farm		United States United StatesBisch-Rocco2012
Unknown
Unknown		Operating
Lakeside GlidersMichigan's AdventureUnited States United StatesLarson International2013Operating
Screamin' EaglesSix Flags Great EscapeUnited States United StatesLarson International2013Operating[14]
Surfside GlidersKnott's Berry FarmUnited States United StatesLarson International2013Operating[15]
French Quarter FlyersSix Flags AmericaUnited States United StatesLarson International2014Operating
Lake Erie EaglesCedar PointUnited States United StatesLarson International2014Operating
Professor John's Flying MachinesKentucky KingdomUnited States United StatesLarson International2014Operating
Winged WarriorFrontier CityUnited States United StatesLarson International2014Operating
Cedar Creek FlyersDorney Park & Wildwater KingdomUnited States United StatesLarson International2015Operating
KongMorey's PiersUnited States United StatesLarson International2015Operating
Woodstock GlidersKings IslandUnited States United StatesLarson International2015Operating
Flying EaglesCanada's WonderlandCanada CanadaLarson International2016Operating
Flying EaglesValleyfairUnited States United StatesLarson International2016Operating
PhoenixLa RondeCanada CanadaLarson International2016Operating[16]
Woodstock GlidersWorlds of FunUnited States United StatesLarson International2016Operating
Wonder Woman Flight SchoolSix Flags Over GeorgiaUnited States United StatesLarson International2016Operating[16]
Flying ScooterFox Creek Amusement CompanyUnited States United StatesBisch-Rocco2016Operating
The Mad Mocking BirdDollywoodUnited States United StatesLarson International2019Operating
Flying CircusCelebration CityUnited States United StatesLarson InternationalUnknownClosed[17]
The Barnstormers Guyton's Fun Junction United States Unknown Unknown Closed

References
  1. "Larson International, Inc". 2012-08-26. Archived from the original on 2012-08-26. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
  2. Futrell, Jim (17 May 1999). "Not all the good rides are new". Amusement Business. 111 (20): 21.
  3. Ruben, Paul (7 May 2009). "Story Land". Park World Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  4. Futrell, Jim (2002). Amusement Parks of Pennsylvania. Stackpole Books. ISBN 0811726711.
  5. Futrell, Jim (10 September 2001). "Name change helps Bland's keep up with special sauce". Amusement Business. 113 (36): 53.
  6. O'Brien, Tim (25 November 2002). "Attendance increase highlights 57th season". Amusement Business. 114 (47): 9.
  7. O'Brien, Tim (12 November 2001). "Whalom Park assets to go on block". Amusement Business. 113 (45): 39.
  8. "Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - Rides and Attractions". www.columbuszoo.org. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  9. "Playland Park (Justice, Illinois, USA)". rcdb.com. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  10. Kyriazi, Gary (1 November 2006). "Holiday World: Redefining family entertainment". Park World Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  11. Barbieri, Kelly (3 February 2003). "Hersheypark prepares for new rides, food". Amusement Business. 115 (5).
  12. "Dragons Fly at Castle Park: Larson Scooters now open". Park World Magazine. 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  13. "Kernels – May 2012". Park World Magazine. 9 May 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  14. "Screamin' Eagles at the Great Escape". Park World: 12. August 2013.
  15. "New at Knott's". Park World Magazine. 12 December 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
  16. MacDonald, Brady (September 3, 2015). "Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2016". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  17. "Celebration City - Flying Circus". www.themeparkreview.com. Retrieved 2020-04-11.
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