Hey Hyde, could you separate the Falcon topics to an own thread under rc construction?Ahh, that makes sense. Will be an interesting sensation having the booster at the end of such a massive drop, in an S&S Shot Tower kind of sensation.
As the stats have changed (we're now at a reported 607 ft. height, down from 639 ft.), trying to keep up with other design tweaks.
Holy crap, I didn't realize that. How tall is Falcon's arch?
Yeah was actually thinking about this as a lot of convo has now shifted to Falcons Flight with the announcements. Done!Hey Hyde, could you separate the Falcon topics to an own thread under rc construction?
Thx
This was said by Daniel Schoppen from Intamin during the unveil; video here.
According to a big engineering planning document/tender, the freestanding arch should be 531ft.
Which alas is shorter than the St. Louis Arch with the new, updated numbers. Haven't a clue why anyone would care about this coaster anymore with that bummer of a revision.
Awesome, thank you!
Indeed, the test will be where the rubber meets the road (or track). Formula Rossa operates on the "older" spec, cast steel wheels (photo below), with the new blade design opening up a massive amount of surface area for cooling.
I see the overheating issue is a big design challenge, but what about the sand? 157 MPH sand to the face doesn't sound fun. I know it has windscreens, but it is still possible for sand to go around, and any breeze lifts thousands of grains up into the air.Indeed, the test will be where the rubber meets the road (or track). Formula Rossa operates on the "older" spec, cast steel wheels (photo below), with the new blade design opening up a massive amount of surface area for cooling.
If anything, it will be curious to see if there is any noticeable operational difference between Intamin's blade design and the hole-punch Zamperla wheels going on TT2 (which are larger, and could provide for even more theoretical cooling).
If the windshield is satisfactory for the government of Saudi Arabia (I've done work in the Middle East with governments and emphasize the MASSIVE bureaucracy/conservative nature on signing off on big projects until all details are accounted for), I would have high confidence on the windscreen doing the job of goggles. From my time in Abu Dhabi/visiting Ferrari World, there also really wasn't any sand being kicked up while riding Formula Rossa/GT Challenge (I know it's easy to picture the roving dunes of Alladin when you think "sand in the Middle East"), or at least no more threat than bugs hitting you while riding roller coasters back home.
It makes sense, however, I can see something going horribly wrong, having a freak accident and having to either close or redesign trains or goggles.If the windshield is satisfactory for the government of Saudi Arabia (I've done work in the Middle East with governments and emphasize the MASSIVE bureaucracy/conservative nature on signing off on big projects until all details are accounted for), I would have high confidence on the windscreen doing the job of goggles. From my time in Abu Dhabi/visiting Ferrari World, there also really wasn't any sand being kicked up while riding Formula Rossa/GT Challenge (I know it's easy to picture the roving dunes of Alladin when you think "sand in the Middle East"), or at least no more threat than bugs hitting you while riding roller coasters back home.
Nonsense! Intamin has never had issue with freak accidents/things flying off of/into coaster trains!
No, that would never happen, would it?Nonsense! Intamin has never had issue with freak accidents/things flying off of/into coaster trains!
But seriously, with their track record of parts flying off coasters, and if something breaks, it's down for months, and just their overall maintenance headache I can very well see something happening and them having to redo the whole ride the vehicles, like Top Thrill 2 or what they had to do with Superman the Ride.
At the same time though, others of their coasters have remained in perfectly ok operational shape - most of which Flying Aces and Formula Rossa operating in similar circumstance. In a weird odds-on bet, I would put money on Falcon's Flight being more ok on the maintenance and operations front, as the money remains no obstacle for Six Flags Qiddiya. If there's any park that can pull this off, it's one that is completely backed by a national public investment fund. The Saudi Arabian government has no shareholders to report to nor public pressures of perceived cost, and in turn would see the sunk cost of upkeep/maintenance in a different light than "how will this affect profit?"No, that would never happen, would it?
I guess we don't know. Just have to wait and see.At the same time though, others of their coasters have remained in perfectly ok operational shape - most of which Flying Aces and Formula Rossa operating in similar circumstance. In a weird odds-on bet, I would put money on Falcon's Flight being more ok on the maintenance and operations front, as the money remains no obstacle for Six Flags Qiddiya. If there's any park that can pull this off, it's one that is completely backed by a national public investment fund. The Saudi Arabian government has no shareholders to report to nor public pressures of perceived cost, and in turn would see the sunk cost of upkeep/maintenance in a different light than "how will this affect profit?"
The list goes on for all the reason this coaster would be a market and commercial failure. And yet, here we are.
Qiddiya is spelled wrong in the thread title.
