A ''Thrust Air 2000'' (commonly known as a thrust air coaster) is a unique form of
launched roller coaster
The launched roller coaster is a modern form of roller coaster. A launched coaster initiates a ride with high amounts of acceleration via one or a series of linear induction motors (LIM), linear synchronous motors (LSM), catapults, tires, chains ...
created by
S&S Worldwide, Inc., that uses refrigerated, compressed air to shoot a rubber-wheeled car down a steel track.
Do-Dodonpa, located at
Fuji-Q Highland, is the only production model in existence. It was built by S&S Worldwide of Logan Utah. It was once the
fastest roller coaster in the world and still holds the record of the world's fastest acceleration on a roller coaster. Another model, the
Hypersonic XLC, was opened at Kings Dominion in 2001, but it was later closed and put up for sale in 2007. Both models were fabricated by Intermountain Lift, Inc.
Prototype
The prototype Thrust Air 2000 was made in 1999 at the S&S Power plant in Utah.
Stats
*Height: .
*Climb: 90 degrees
*Drop: 90 degrees
*Acceleration: 0-80 mph (0-128.7 km/h) in 1.8 sec
*Top Speed: about
*Launch System: Ingersoll-Rand screw type compressor
*Track layout: ''Out-and-back'' roller coaster
*Track type: I-beam
See also
*
Accelerator coaster
References
External links
Thrust Air 2000 Hypersonic XLCOfficial website
{{S&S Worldwide
Launched roller coasters
Amusement rides based on rail transport
Roller coasters manufactured by S&S – Sansei Technologies