Alan Schilke Interview: Former Arrow Engineer [Arrow Bonus Content]

[@dennisdonovan3153]

In the early 1990's I used to snow ski with this man and had NO IDEA he was so gifted as an engineer! Wow, impressive and happy for his creative and passionate work/career.

[@martinsmallwood5581]

I just love watching his face light up as he talks. True passion oozing from his pores!

[@paulharry3540]

instablaster

[@willthecreator]

This guy is the creator of some of the most of my exciting moments in life, X and Steel Vengeance

[@CoasterHipster]

What a great interview! Alan Schilke looks like a truly nice guy, and it was very interesting listening to him. The trivia about him (not) being hired by Arrow at first and Gary Story's airport meeting, his thoughts on coaster engineering and the impact Arrow has made. Very insightful and inspiring answers. Thank you so much for this valuable video!

[@djavatar68]

X2 is technically the first Wing coaster. Before B&M.

[@seanlewis1148]

CORRECT!!! THIS MAN DESERVES THE CREDIT!!!!!

[@Kevin-yh7ph]

Anthony Martinez I guess you can say that but arrow didn’t want to make a wing coaster they wanted to make a 4-D it was unintentional, B&M made wing on purpose.

[@NickyD]

wrong its a 4D coaster not a wing coaster RCDB is the offical sourse your wrong

[@empjustin6560]

Anthony Martinez It’s actually a 4D coaster

[@3rectilefunction200]

Nicky D but it runs on the side so it’s technically a wing

[@haroldbon9732]

That X story is just too awesome

[@nomad1517]

The guy looks like the definition of enthusiasm.

[@kenfrancisworld8720]

Hey Alan, X is my alltime favorite coaster! Thank you for giving me this thrill!

[@tismejaytee]

This guy is a mastermind

[@justinpino8115]

Thank you for Steel Vengeance, the most fun coaster I’ve ever ridden

[@EngineerCatPyro]

i love this guy! He loves what he does.

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

You can tell Alan Schilke loves what he does~~ I mean he helped Arrow Dynamics, S&S, and now Rocky Mountain Construction to build some great roller coasters. He literally revolutionized the companies in how they should engineer rides and design them. Although, it's sad that Arrow Dynamics is gone, we can't forget the legacy he created with them during his time there :) X2 is by far one of his most iconic creations, and that coaster drove Arrow Dynamics into the ground because of how expensive that was :( But I will say, X2 was a worthy final coaster, so they left with a bang :) Arrow Dynamics truly transformed what roller coasters are like today. They were the company for innovation throughout their lifetime, and left a huge legacy that more people, including enthusiasts, should appreciate the most. Without Arrow Dynamics, we wouldn't have the modern coasters we have today.

[@BeMaC]

Schilke what a Design God :P gosh what could he do with B&M

[@Croissant_Tortilla]

Marc Gerber, He could make them go bankrupt like he did to arrow for making X!

[@gogy4]

TheCoasterBoy X wasn’t the main reason arrow went bankrupt. The rise of B&M and Intamin, along with the failure of the Stratosphere Fish Hook coaster design were huge reasons as well.

[@authenticNL2]

TheCoasterBoy omg by far stupidest comment I have EVER seen

[@cashprinter5000]

+[DW] CBG but it costed them a lot

[@cashprinter5000]

He would put intamin out of business

[@jeremylando40]

The greatest roller coaster designer of all time hands down

[@johncastro39]

Any person who is a genius always seems a little mental. You Sir are not mental so that puts you above genius level! Thank you for changing the world. Peace and respect to you.

[@CarolinaCycloneJames]

Alan just has that chill uncle personality. Ome that you can talk about anything with. Or just hang out and enjoy the vibe.

[@Halibut86]

x2 is amazing! RMC is amazing! We love Alan!!

[@frostyhighway9011]

Alan mentions Buffalo Bills Desparado Roller Coaster in Primm Nevada, I've rode this one several times, I can't wait to ride Lightning Rod at Dollywood. Good info here, thanks guys.

[@shanepetyko8004]

He’s such a god and doesn’t realize it. It’s refreshing

[@KnowledgeIsGood123]

X2, Steel vengeance, Tennessee Tornado, Wonder women Flight or courage, etc. He revolutionized the coaster world.

[@SagaFraga]

You could make a movie about this guy

[@jorge3997]

They should!!!

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

What took so long to upload this interview? It's definitely the best one of them all (and I'm not saying that just cause I'm biased toward Alan) it is conclusive evidence that X2 is not what put arrow out, but the fishhook that never got built, TAKE THAT X2 HATERS!

[@ridewithace]

Don't think we didn't save the best for last for a reason. :-)

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

ALAAAN! (wooo!)

[@danhinnenkamp4347]

0MindSwe

[@alaeriia01]

It is worth pointing out that Six Flags was the primary reason behind the cost overruns.

[@olmisery3859]

Listen, I love Schilke and I love Arrow, but X2 is one of the worst rides on the planet. It most certainly didn’t bankrupt Arrow though, you’re right about that.

[@dennisatlas]

Wow, what absolutely brilliant answers, especially to that last question!

[@ralphbuschmann740]

Great Interview with a Great man!

[@triple7marc]

Alan Schilke is a fascinating man.

[@jimtheedcguy4313]

I love the roadrunner express! It's definitely more than just a family coaster!

[@youngrican07]

This man is living my dream job as mechanical engineer.To bad my grades were not good enough for m.i.t....smh .But still design in autocad....going on 18years.

[@joshbower]

I was already a fan, but more so now knowing he graduated Purdue! Boiler Up!!!

[@dustinlikens7340]

As a software developer, I ride X2 when I need some inspiration. It’s a masterclass in combining established concepts with novel ideas. It really does inspire me to be better at my craft.

[@LordMalice6d9]

Being creative and innovative can be difficult. You need to get your inspiration from somewhere.

[@Nismo-gy3wz]

One word "Legend"

[@kidlamborghini]

He flexed on everyone with that line about how nothing on a ride really thrills him anymore.

[@OneAdam12Adam]

Yeah, he doesn't get a HIGH thrill on them anymore. He's says that computers have made things so boring because they essentially do all the simulation for you. They don't get to test out in the real world as much anymore.

[@Ari-iz3gc]

The fact that Cedar Point turned down the 4D angers me lowkey

[@Kevin-yh7ph]

Ari 1993 they were probably saving up fo millennium force, and they new arrow had money problems.

[@cashprinter5000]

@@Kevin-yh7ph makes sense since both intamin and arrow started working on r&d for their respective coasters at around the same time

[@twistedcheese1]

I've ridden the big one it's still running Great after all these years

[@lessardo87]

Is that blueprint in the background Wicked Cyclone?

[@KnowledgeIsGood123]

That’s crazy how Cedar Point rejected the 4D coaster prototype. I’m glad though because X2 is at my home park at Magic Mountain.

[@squidwardshouse5431]

This guy is like the John Wardley of the USA, but works for the actual coaster manufacturers. Designs some mad coasters. Really hope he gets to design the first RMC for the UK. Thorpe Park screams for one.

[@Neptune5111.1]

what about the Roller Coaster at Winter Wonderland Kuwait

[@themeparkjunkies8471]

I wish someone just asked him straight up , whats your favorite non arrow-rmc coaster that you rode before

[@themeparkjunkies8471]

@Cameron Pangborn NON arrow or Rmc

[@Kevin-yh7ph]

My god I would love to have his job

[@jakethecake6952]

Would Alan ride x2?

[@azertycraftgaming]

33:30 VEEEKKOOOMMMAAAAAA

[@alaeriia01]

I wonder if RMC is interested in revisiting the ArrowBATic?

[@shchorss]

God no. Vekoma already has that covered with their family inverts.

[@jackknueve4645]

Justin the ArrowBATic would’ve had inversions. It’s more like a Zamperla Volare but with inverted cars rather than flying boxes

[@NorthEasternMotionProductions]

The closest thing to the Arrowbatic was the Vekoma SLC.

[@aaron.c.burton]

This guys is legendary but he doesn't act like it. Maybe he's unaware of his genius.

[@davidshaw681]

He's just a prime example of loving your job and doing everything for the right reason

[@Meekimotosyoutubechannel]

Congrats on your new RMC coasters. Who will maintain the arrow rides still out there in parks?

[@DomWPC]

vekoma

[@WaluigiLebron]

S&S

[@Cccoast]

S&S although I heard the lead parts woman, just retired.

[@empjustin6560]

S&S

[@djsugarc1075]

Schilke Swagggg

[@ZoniesCoasters]

What was the arrobatic?

[@WDIJake]

It was an inverted coaster concept

[@SpiritOfTheSeasons]

Zonies Coasters it was like an inverted wild mouse. Trains of four, suspended on the track like a B&M invert

[@ZoniesCoasters]

Spirit Of The Holidays oh I see. Is it like that one on rct3?

[@SpiritOfTheSeasons]

Zonies Coasters no, the RCT3 one is basically just a wild mouse that goes upside down. This one was a proper inverted coaster

[@ZoniesCoasters]

Spirit Of The Holidays no their was an inverted coaster with a mouse style

[@threeglassjars6051]

What is that coaster plan in the background?

[@danthecoasterman22]

3 Glass jars Pretty sure that is Wicked Cyclone

[@RollyCoaster]

That's Wicked Cyclone.

[@charleyhibschweiler4555]

Wicked Cyclone

[@aaronschatzman6645]

@@charleyhibschweiler4555 you are ALL fired... Jesus o.o It's fricken' Robin Hood. the slightly;y shorter loop is the turn out of the station to the right and then the wrap around turn taking the inside of the horseshoe back to the station, with a deviation layover for the conversion. Ever single Cyclone is pill-shaped and never crosses outside of the outer structure... "Security! Who let these people in here!"

[@tigovanrooij9926]

@@aaronschatzman6645 robin hood at walibi holland? ( now Untamed)

[@seansanders4000]

How old is he

[@3rectilefunction200]

58

[@CoasterChannel-fb8ee]

Layout of Twisted Cyclone right behind u

[@alaeriia01]

Coaster Channel 1000 Wicked Cyclone, not Twisted Cyclone. SFNE, not SFOG.

[@glade2495]

@Alex Snitzer Yeah cuz that doesn’t look like Twiste Cyclone

[@joebermuda6452]

If you’ve ridden iron gwazi u know this man is a genius

[@gatewaycoasters4200]

Did Alan Schilke ever join S&S san sai?

[@triple7marc]

RMC was founded in 2001 (essentially the year Arrow went bankrupt) so I don’t think so.

[@gatewaycoasters4200]

@@triple7marc BUT RMC was founded in 2001 but alan schilke Joined RMC in 2009 so I think he did

[@triple7marc]

@@gatewaycoasters4200 Oh you’re right, my bad. Yeah he worked at S&S and designed a few woodies for them between 2003 and 2004 (namely Avalanche at Timber Falls Adventure Park, Falken at Fårup Sommerland and Hell Cat at Clementon Park). Then in 2006 he founded Ride Centerline LLC, while still working for S&S (he played a part in the design of El Loco). Then in 2009 like you said he joined RMC.

[@gatewaycoasters4200]

@@triple7marc yes that’s correct he joined in 2009

[@jstyxx4110]

I want RMC Shilkie.

[@floridawildones]

its him... god himself

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

4:32 ((coughmayvrick))

[@MrBlonday]

But he didn't get asked why X got the paint job it did hahaha

[@miniwidget6407]

My name is Alan Schilke I design rolercoasters

[@JJJJ-he8bz]

X2 shits on any B&M wing coaster

[@TheBroz]

Wing coasters work though…

[@darrengrimmer8541]

A fine man.. Sadly young people nowadays have no interest in learning skills like this... As an engineer myself I find it ironic I’m watching this on KZbin... Which is all the young people want to do.... post videos here to get paid!!

[@twistedgwazi5727]

Bahhhh young people baaaad

[@darrengrimmer8541]

TwistedGwazi oh dear

[@rmcjake5190]

I'm 23 and definitely ready to do this.

[@gamingodriscoll5714]

WAHHHH WAHHHHH KZbin NO REAL JOB WAHHHHHHH stfu, very respectfully.

[@willthecreator]

When life sucks Alan Sculkie

[@SmithCommaBenjamin]

Schilke is a great designer, but he's full of shit. X certainly bankrupted Arrow. Every park will tell you that as good as RMC coasters are, they are terribly expensive, and difficult to maintain. His coasters aren't #1 in any category except price.

[@alaeriia01]

I dunno about that. B&M are more expensive and Intamin more temperamental.

[@alaeriia01]

And X did not bankrupt Arrow, the Fish-Hook bankrupted them.

[@topthrillbran]

Your credentials?

[@shchorss]

Some of the best in the world

[@jackknueve4645]

RMC is actually cheap. Look at Storm Chaser. Amazing, top ten ride. Only 7 million dollars. Look at Valravn. Mediocre ride. 18 million dollars.

[@mickeyvenstra5436]

I worked for arrow development from 78 to 92 in clearfield utah. Then huss bought it, they run it into the ground. Then the employee's bought it and Ron toomey ran it into the ground. I'm glad it survived and is in Hayden idaho