Problematic Roller Coasters - Flight of Fear - World’s First Electromagnetic Launching Coaster

[@Thrills_And_Chills_WQAQ]

Just gotta say, I absolutely love the sound the LIM’s make when this ride launches. The VRMMMMMMMM is so cool to hear.

[@ThoosiesCorner]

Always love to hear it

[@travispettipiece2331]

Yeah I like hearing launch coaster sounds.

[@Artbyhurricanyounot]

LIMs have SUCH good sounds. Volcano’s is/was my absolute favorite. Something about that whoosh scratched an itch in my brain in the best way!

[@AG7-MTM]

You can definitely hear the sound much better on Backlot Stunt Coaster, which is problematic for its own reasons

[@the-heads]

I love the clunk of the brakes dropping

[@jeb0423]

As an electrical engineering student, your explanation of power electronics in LIMs was outstanding. Just another reason why this is the best coaster yt channel!

[@LetsGooo]

He's an engineer. He knows what he's talking about. 😊

[@dreams2reality410]

Hands down this is the best coaster series on YT.

[@OrigamiPhoenix]

I know someone who was a former ride operator of Flight of Fear at Kings Dominion. She enjoyed getting to sing happy birthday to birthday guests as the train prepared for launch, and then send everyone off in the middle of the song when they weren't expecting it. She also called the coaster a girl since it was "moody".

[@TheCoasterSleuth]

You know it’s a great day when a new problematic coasters video gets released :)

[@ThoosiesCorner]

Yup

[@HalonPoisoning]

A great day for "Problematic Coasters". If you said that to someone who didn't realize you were talking about a KZbin series, they'd probably be thinking you hate roller coasters and are being forced to ride one!🤣

[@typicaluser4116]

You know whenever eltoro ryan drops its gona be a banger.

[@ThoosiesCorner]

Yes

[@phoenixshade3]

16:15 Banger confirmed. 😂

[@forrestdevine2336]

My father worked for a subcontractor who helped build Flight of Fear at KI. So he was always filling me in on the cool technology he was seeing when they were building and testing.

[@CoasterEnthusiast508]

That's awesome

[@forrestdevine2336]

As an electrician by trade, and a relentless tinkerer, he was absolutely over the moon seeing FoF up close.

[@Heifer2997]

I know it didn't work out, but the coolest thing about the Fof's is they were kind of built with this Universal/ Disney mentality to it. Two well themed really high capacity coasters. All the design choices feel like ones that Imagineering or Universal Creative might think of. Now unfortunately they didn't work out, but it was cool that they tried.

[@Clay3613]

The ride needed less queues, more coaster.

[@Heifer2997]

@@Clay3613 strongly disagree. If it had better capacity and was a little smother, it’d be a wonderful attraction

[@B.Abbott25]

Lol I’m a submarine electrician and just gave training on induction motor theory and operation. Love the depth you go into and make what is normally meh theory exciting for its use in coaster development over the years

[@DuecePiece]

I'll never forget my family and extended family waiting in line for Flight of Fear at Kings Island the summer it came out, the longest I've ever waited for a ride, 3 and a half hours. My cousin made it all the way thru till he actuallly saw the launch then chickened out the last second. I always smile getting on the ride just for him. Miss you man, RIP Mikie! 🙏❤️

[@BrianCommentaries]

This is cool and all, but you're forgetting a few key factors in determining the issues with the LIM launch from an engineering perspective. For instance, an LIM in it's own block zone could be considered problematic. For those who are unfamiliar, a block zone is a section of ride that only one train may occupy at a time. At the end of a block zone there is a method to stop the train, in case the block zone ahead is still occupied. This is the safety system that prevents rollercoaster trains from colliding with one another.

[@ElToroRyan]

Shit you’re right

[@BrianCommentaries]

@@ElToroRyan In all seriousness, the more technical your videos get the better they seem to turn out. You're explanation of how an induction motor works is the best explanation I've ever heard. Having worked as a nuclear reactor operator, I've heard a lot of them. Even better when the video explaining it is about a ride I have enjoyed since I was young. Well done. I love this video series.

[@Brandon-qd2lb]

Such an underrated coaster and put premier on the map. May be the best and most intense indoor coaster still? Surprised that hump was placed in the layout! Don’t get started with those seat belts haha. Yeah don’t launch a train so it gets stuck on the MCBR. Rockin roller coaster doesn’t do that, it’s pretty rare two trains to be stopped on its final brake run.

[@TheCoasterSpot]

5:17 I believe the reason for this is that premier was behind on track and support manufacturing so Kings Island did the building first and waited for the track to arrive…

[@ElToroRyan]

That makes sense!

[@realcameronn]

This series is incredible, the amount of research work you put in for each video is insane! As a long time roller coaster fan I thought there was nothing else left for me to discover about the history of some of these classic coasters but I’m baffled at how much info you are able to dig up on these rides! One of my favorite channels ever!

[@Irongwaziaddict]

CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY BABY!!!! Thank you so much ElToroRyan, i have loved your videos for years!!

[@MWCoasters]

Yessir it did

[@sarmstrong44]

So glad this dropped. This is my favorite coaster. I love coasters that are completely in the dark.

[@DoomPlague]

I liked FOF even when it had those awful headbanger OTSRs because it was such a new, unique experience. Once the restraints were changed for lapbars, it became a must ride any time I visit the park. In fact, I'm thinking about running out to the park tonight just to get a ride... Thanks for this video. There's a lot in here that even us longtime fans didn't know.

[@chrisschnizer4395]

I’ve actually read the operations manual for Flight of Fear and it says the launch block ends right after the brakes at the end of the launch. Otherwise, all the blocks are correct in this video. Also, while I understand why trains always need to stop in the waiting brake before advancing to load (otherwise it might not park correctly in load) I don’t understand why trains always slam to a halt on the trim brakes at the end of the ride even if the block ahead isn’t occupied.

[@becurcio]

Best KZbin channel of all time! I hope to randomly run into you one day in a roller coaster queue and ask you to tell me about block zones. 😊 Thank you!

[@S4Meow]

Oh yes back to the classic series of problematic roller coasters! love these. keep em coming

[@benda18]

I was in HS when this opened at KI. 25 years later when i took my own kids to KI for the first time, they both said FoF was the best ride there (i still love them). Iconic ride if you're under 6' tall

[@Spike-sk7ql]

I'm 6'2", and I cram myself in those trains once in the summer, and a few times during winterfest. That's it. Backlot is the same. Those trains man..... those trains are bad. Not as bad as the ones with over the shoulder restraints, but still bad.

[@knatt5300]

As usual another great analysis video! I love launch coasters! But there has always been long lines for Flight of Fear when visiting Kings Island. But last week I finally got to go down during Winterfest and there were no lines! I cycled Flight of Fear four times in a row! Each reride seemed better than the last! I have a new appreciation for the amount of work and improvements that they did to that ride.

[@emmajoy4388]

this was my first Big Boy Coaster, which was only a year and a half ago lol. it has a special place in my heart now for being the ride that gave me the coaster bug.

[@Real_aquatic]

You know when block zone segment is the longest segment in the video it’s gonna be good Merry Christmas Ryan thanks for dropping this banger

[@oglostingaming]

thank you eltororyan for making such high quality and in-depth content. wishing you and everyone else reading this a merry christmas, happy holiday and hope everybody has a wonderful 2025.

[@MidcourseDiscourse]

The Flight of Fear coasters are such special rides IMO. Paramount and Premiere took an unbelievable gamble in attempting to make an LIM launch work. On top of that, the ride layout was expertly designed to fit into a very confined space. The elements are just janky enough to have that slight nostalgic feel, but they flow together well enough so that the ride doesn’t become too intense. The theming is just the cherry on top, especially considering the lack of theming typically seen at regional parks. I know people have their opinions on the ride experience itself, but I love Flight of Fear to death.

[@erikschutzman2402]

Yeah, Flight of Fear is a special ride and after watching this video I am impressed with the gamble Paramount took with the LIM launch. I wish Kings Island would take some gambles in the future, but they are in the middle of a massive company and probably don't have the ability to anymore.

[@Unionhawk73]

I'm a merely *somewhat* larger rider who gets accommodated just fine on most coasters, but I can confirm on my ride today that this one is not particularly forgiving on that. My bar was locked and belted, but it was not comfortable.

[@KPtheViewer]

Next level coaster coverage. I absolutely love the depth and appreciate all the hard work it takes to put a video like this together.

[@MWCoasters]

I love your problematic roller coaster videos and they are some of my favorite videos ever

[@Chelletoth1]

I really enjoy your videos, Ryan! It’s funny how roller coaster terminology makes me think of Doc Brown explaining time travel to Marty

[@JakeBrickmobile]

Problematic rollercoasters it’s the BESTT❤❤❤ ty for the detial and much love going into these videos 45 mins of pure amazingness

[@Spike-sk7ql]

My very favorite YT series is back with another excellent episode!

[@mrboojay]

This is one of my top rides at the park. The hum of the LIMs, the speed of the launch, the theming (& Dan Cummings), the thrills, the odd fact that it reduced my motion sickness, it’s just all so much fun, I love this ride. This was a great video and I loved being able to learn more about this coaster, I enjoyed this video quite a lot. Having not experienced its clones, I kind of like it stopping at the top, gives you a small feeling of unease with it shaking and you look out into the dark, then slowly falling into the banked left before it picks up speed, it adds to the theming for me.

[@JungleJetAviation06]

What a great early Christmas present! Thanks for the wonderful vid as always Ryan and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@ElToroRyan]

Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!!

[@JungleJetAviation06]

@ Thank you Ryan, I appreciate that very much!

[@Robin-bn3hv]

Before watching, I said “if he doesn’t include the LIM sound in this video, I’ll unsubscribe.” 😂The LIM launch (on any coaster) is one of the best sounds in the world. One of the reasons I’m still salty about never getting to ride Volcano is the overhead LIMs and how that must’ve sounded in person. My only Kings Island FoF rides were during the OTSR days, and I’ve never ridden the Kings Dominion FoF. I’ve been to KI since then but the FoF line was too long and slow, considering other things I wanted to ride. If I do ride FoF again, I definitely won’t miss the old restraints, though I hear mixed reviews of the lap bars. Thanks for the new perspective and lessons on this coaster, and another great Problematic Roller Coasters video!

[@Frankenberry]

Great video as always Ryan, I love how in depth you go into these rides. I love flight of fear... Unlike most though, I think I liked the OTS restraint better than the new one... The way the belt and lap bar work makes it very uncomfortable. I never thought the OTS restraints were a problem if you know how to ride with your head forward... I'd much rather have a comfortable lap bar, but the ones on flight of fear are horrible, and seems like they always staple the hell out of me on that one ride at kings island.

[@johnfoltz8183]

Outer limits flight of fear at Paramount Kings Dominion with my first coaster credit all the way back in 1996. I did not know it was a coaster as I never heard of an LIM coaster before. I went there with a youth group, and I had kind of told myself that I would not ride roller coasters . I skipped out on berserker because it went upside down and then we went for the line for flight of fear which was over two hours. The ride blew me away and it got me started liking roller coasters. I rode Anaconda as my second credit and rebel yell as my third and then another ride on flight of fear that day.

[@AVdE10000]

What a fantastic christmas gift. Fantastic video as always, with lots of details and really awesome footage of way more coasters than usual. Great job Ryan, thank you so much and happy holidays everyone!

[@coaster_weeb3392]

I always enjoy a early Christmas present lol, Defiantly my favorite series on KZbin ngl.

[@MMTV-WatchingTV]

@ 16:30 Is that Kurt Angle? Thanks for the content Ryan! Great job! Appreciate it!

[@colinf2316]

Still one of my favorite coasters. It never gets old. I hope it being indoors helps keep it around longer than normal.

[@ultimatecoasterremakes5500]

FoF is my favorite KD coaster. When it’s open, the atmosphere of both of these rides is amazing. And how they work is both fascinating and cathartic after the many times it’s closed when I was about to get on it.

[@slowestturbovortec]

Premier train weight causing issues? Good thing that never happened again......at Kings Island.....

[@Masonthegoat]

The corny jokes the operator would say at kings islands when launching the coaster made me never forget it

[@leeroyjenkins7178]

Great videos as expected. Really appreciate the work you do for us enthusiasts! Thank you Ryan ❤

[@dr.maples]

Absolutely love this coaster. It’s chaos.

[@Polaris589]

Excuse you? It's Christmas time. It's called 'Flight of Cheer'

[@jricedrums]

This video is fantastic! It was great seeing a dive into these rides!

[@tpphill]

I worked at Kings Island on Outer Limits: Flight of Fear during the inaugural year. I remember when the complaints about the head-banging got too loud, and they glued cushions on to either side of the over-the-shoulder restraints. The cushions kept falling off, and we had to close seats on the train until the maintenance guys could re-glue them. I saw one failed launch from the operator's console where the train valley-ed about 1/2 way through the layout. There were no catwalks at that point, and the riders had be be taken off in a cherry-picker that was kept out in the bowl. Occasionally, the park would hold an employee ride night after the guests had left for the night. On at least one occasion, we turned off ALL the lights in the bowl for a ride. Completely different experience.

[@CarolinaCycloneJames]

I worked on Flight of fear at KD as part of my rotation and you were spot on. Alot of people or enthusiasts dont know about the odd design of the block zones or about the launch. The capacity issue is no joke we would only average about 450-500PPH. How best was around 550. When running 3 trains it was around 750. Still not great considering 3 trains. Also the way to tell if it's 3 trains is if you come to a stop at the midcourse. If its 2 trains youll slow down. But not to a stop. At least the one at Kingd Dominion. Also even with the power consumption kinda fixed. It still pulls alot of power. So much that youll notice the lights dim. Its also part of the reason the lights are dim across the queue. Part of it also being for theming.

[@ThatDogBarks]

That Mid- course shakes the whole structure like a nanny shakes a baby. xd

[@stoppropaganda2573]

My first ride at Kings Dominion was harsh because we queued after dark and waited for over 2 hours to ride still in the dark. Great theming and until the last inversion, I had no idea that the coaster had 4 inversions, very disorienting with all the terrible head banging. I'm so glad they made all the updates and its now an enjoyable ride! I'm also glad you went into the power issues as so many people don't believe me when I tell them that Volcano Blast was most fun when it ran with only half the seats per train until the grid updates were made ....

[@reeceadkins9337]

I operated FOF at KD in 2014 & I don’t recall the ride ever running with all 3 trains. Lots of aborted launches. Everything you said about the challenges associated with the lapbars is extremely accurate; guests never knew where to buckle that seatbelt in at. Another difficulty is how loud the launch is in the indoor setting; we had to wear earplugs. The spaghetti bowl is very dusty. Also, another cool difference is the corkscrew in KD’s version being painted yellow for some reason. Great video!

[@jaball77]

Aww, you guys, Ryan got us a Christmas present!

[@MrSouthernTrucker]

That was awesome! The nerd in me was always curious about these coasters and how they worked.

[@theyeti3]

Working at Kings Dominion during the 1997-1999 years was an amazing time. I remember playing softball for the park league on the fields behind volcano and watching it test. the first year they had to remove half the cars on the trains in order for it to launch up the hill. the power required was just not there. Its nice to see how it all started with this ride and the challenges they adapted to.

[@Yuregenu]

I loved both Flight of Fear and Backlot Stunt Coaster when I visited King's Island back in 2019. Never noticed the difference in the orientation of the LIM fins on the side of the vehicle! For Flight of Fear I can see why the lapbar is a much more comfortable experience than over the should restraints. Getting into the train does look to have been made more difficult due to the smaller amount of leg room with the lap bar blocking part of the entry to the car. I remember I got into the vehicle by stepping on the side, then on the seat, then on the floor.

[@danthecoasterman22]

Was not expecting a behind the scenes look at ElToroRyan’s house fan

[@thatlegendarytrainer]

Fantastic! Really enjoyed this video.

[@leonardo_decapitated4644]

Considering the technical issues, it's incredible this ride is 28 years old. I'm happy both Kings Island and Kings Dominion have invested in keeping their indoor roller coaster.

[@HenryPine-i7p]

Love the videos you always do a great job

[@TheAdrianMc]

Soon as I saw FOF... I immediately clicked!! I rode FOF at KD in 2001 and then rode KI in 2018 & 2020. Also rode Joker at SFA! Im glad I never experienced those OTSR because I love this ride as it is today! Now that I got to see this and Planet Coaster 2 has better lighting for indoors... I'm off to make a FOF recreation!! 😂

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

These coasters were the start of Premier Rides, and I got to say, Premier Rides has definitely improved their rides significantly over the span of almost 30 years since these opened back in 1996. Launch coasters always have some weird quirks, so now that this is in the series, it's perfect~ Flight of Fear was so ahead of its time back then, and launch coasters today all hand their existence to these coasters. Without Flight of Fear, launch coasters would not be where they are today.

[@brianmacdonald7297]

I rode the Kings Dominion version in 1996, and it was the most amazing thing I'd seen. Unfortunately, the complaints about the OTSRs were absolutely accurate. It gave me such a splitting headache, I wasn't able to ride anything else and just went home. However, years later, trying to answer the question "was it really that bad, or as it just me?" led me to discover the online coaster community in the early 2000s, which almost makes up for it.

[@beejay271]

This ride blew my mind when it debuted. The fact that once you entered the building, all you saw was a giant UFO was very intimidating. Then, once you finally got to the actual load station the first time, you see that launch to nowhere?😱... At that time, most had never seen a coaster launch, and I remember every time a new group would enter the loading section, they'd cheer when first seeing the trains take off!😅

[@starapton5374]

Thank you for explaining why they don’t run three trains. I always wondered why flight of fear only ran two trains even though it feels like there is a full block zone before the unload station.

[@claxtontheclam9903]

at the risk of sounding like a total dork, I smiled through most of this video, I love FoF. I was just rambling to as coworker about a week ago on how FoF had so many issues during its infancy.

[@RelentlessOhiox]

I want everyone to know I have lived 30 minutes away from KI for 25 years. I have been there at least 100 times. I have ridden everything. I have never felt unsafe. The prices are high yes and they have made some questionable decisions. But do not miss out on this epic park. I feel very lucky to have grown up around it. Even at 34 rides like Flight of Fear and Diamondback still give me chills.

[@cz1276]

Related to the overheating of reactor fins, interestingly, the backlot clones have water sprayers to cool the fins as the train enters the unload station.

[@jerryrocketandthegogogirls3517]

27:51 anyone who’s been to kings island knows it ain’t no 38 seconds, 38 minutes maybe 😂 damn line is ALWAYS backed up. You can get on Orion way faster than flight of fear hence why it’s almost always a skip for me. Just not a good enough ride to justify the wait.

[@Gamer017_YT-24]

Nice video!

[@ThoosiesCorner]

I love watching these videos

[@StookyBill]

Had no idea about the wheel arrangements or joint axle setups of premiers trains, very informative.

[@codean909]

@28:00 for those of you who need to know what the most important information is.

[@shorebreakcards]

When Ryab talks about block zones, he sounds like an European Aristocrat and Cali Surfer inhabiting a New Jersey boomer... and it works every time!

[@seangearhart2494]

Is the beginning of Flight of Fear's layout a Cobra Roll into a Sidewinder, or a Sidewinder into a Batwing? 🤔

[@WooHoo-itsGaryGnu]

If Ryan ever did a an operational or problematic video without brining up the Block Zones... I would not know how to live life.

[@anderfrank1]

Early Christmas present, thanks ETR!

[@mattjohnson8266]

TLDR for anyone who took Field Physics (AP BC): Right hand rule on 3 phase AC induction makes magnets go “PUUUUSH!!!”

[@ChairmanChico]

I’ll never forget my first ride without the Outer Limits branding. Ride op: “Counting down from 100…. 99… 98… 97…. (Whoosh) … 96…. 95…”

[@bayonettafan1606]

Love this series so much, I get excited every time I see a new video! Personally, I cannot stand Flight of Fear and, apparently, I'm in the minority. But I have a connective tissue disorder so trying to literally hold myself together while being shaken to within an inch of my life is just not fun. I'd rather ride 305 next door several times in a row since that does most of the work for me, lol. Probably a pov most people aren't aware of, but I still love most coasters! Especially when I know what to do to avoid an injury. (I can't put my hands up on the spike on Pantheon. It will dislocate my shoulder 😅)

[@ContraVirtual]

My favorite ride when I was a kid. Rode it a couple years ago and it is sooo rough now.

[@richardabkstorm9009]

Excellent stuff fella...I rode both of these 2 or 3 years after they opened...I loved these rides then! 👍🙏

[@skyrushyesminderaserno1150]

They need to replace the lap bars again

[@marcussorenson3380]

awesome video ryan

[@christianames2161]

Kings Island FOF is my favorite ride queue ever hands down. Give me more 90s cornball UFO goodness.

[@thrillwarrior]

Sick video!

[@ThoosiesCorner]

It really is

[@vinniet2828]

I'm fascinated with the LIM Spaghetti Bowl coasters because Joker's Jinx is amazing!

[@dewdude]

Flight of Fear at Kings Dominion is still one of my top favorite coasters.

[@smonda02]

Ironically had one of the best rides on FoF at KI this past Friday. I’m assuming the cold temps kept the roughness reigned in. I think it’s a neat ride but much more fun to watch.

[@spentron1]

1. Another reason OTSRs were so bad is it is lateral heavy, zigging back and forth near the top until the last inversion, presumably to evoke the turbulence of flight, or just sort of RMC-like packing full the layout. 2. To me, the FoFs with MCBRs run as intended -- for a dark coaster. The +Gs and dark make you unsure if you're upside down. The MCBR gives a chance to hear the music. Vs. Joker's Jinx is wonderfully floaty through the cobra roll, maybe the best one anywhere, due to the unsatisfyingly slower launch, but will still slam you painfully entering the final corkscrew if you're used to FoF and put your hands up.

[@ItsSiebay]

Jokers Jinx was my first launch coaster and my first impression when joining the community is that the outdoor clones were better than the FOF versions. Now I see why. Despite their design flaws, I still enjoy the punchy launch and the fact that you can hear the coaster from just about anywhere in the park.

[@AG7-MTM]

32:35 actually, R&RC can operate with FIVE trains simultaneously - I believe the train on the launch track is not allowed to launch until the train at the load station is ready to dispatch (this prevents set-ups mid ride as the last train only stacks in the second-to-last block zone before unload)

[@stooned4428]

Can't wait for the block zone section

[@ThoosiesCorner]

6:00 I've always found the jumbl3d looking supports interesting.

[@joncokejones9318]

The goat drops another banger

[@jennifer_moss]

Well it's a very Merry Christmas Eve Eve after all! And I LOVED this ride back in the aughts!

[@ThoosiesCorner]

Have a merry holiday!

[@jennifer_moss]

@ThoosiesCorner You too!!

[@butterfingersman]

this is a coaster i knew nothing about, but immediately want to ride! i hate drops on rides, and i love indoor coasters, so this would be right up my alley.

[@jasbas459]

Hello Christmas gift! Thank you!!!

[@andrewmorris6346]

On the power issue another fun fact. Kings Island had Flight of Fear and Drop Tower on the same transformer. If Drop tower was running up and FOF launched at the same time both rides would shut down. They put a direct phone line between the two rides so FOF driver could make sure Drop was not running a cycle at the same time they launched a train.