How SlingShot Rides Work

A look at modern slingshot rides and the spring propulsion systems that launch riders to heights exceeding 300 feet.
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Video Attributions:
"Slingshot Ride |Crazy Video |Ropes Of Life |" by ABHISHEK GUPTA
"Me And My Mom on the slingshot ride for the first time! (Daytona Beach)" by Antoniozilla
Still Image Attributions:
"Power Shot Reverse Bungee" by Andrew Dunn
"Reverse Bungee at the 2003 Wirral Show" by Rept0n1x
"Sky Shot front seat on-ride HD POV Skyline Park" by CoasterForce
"Ejection Seat" by Bungee Consultants International
"The Funtime patented spring propulsion machine" by Funtime
Photo of extension springs by CoasterCircuits
( / coastercircuits )
Music by Freedom Trail Studio
#Slingshot #Themeparks #ArtofEngineering

[@ArtofEngineering]

The modern variant of the SlingShot ride is one of my favourite attractions at themeparks today. Would you ever consider riding one?

[@mikebaugus2881]

Art of Engineering have riden several rides Extremely safe ride......and I do have previous back injuries.....and I have riden theses with no further problems to my back problems......exstreamly smooth rides..........for those that think its going jerk them around........lol not at all,,,,that’s a bunch of crap...and it’s in people’s own mind who stands there and watching other people rides it.....saying.......”oh you’re never going to get ME on That uhhh oh no no not going to ride....

[@TheKellingBros]

I would definitely try one of theses now because of this video!!

[@fartyperson]

no

[@azestical6566]

Art of Engineering I’m too much of a wussy to go on a slingshot that launches me so high so fast and then I fall straight down 😂

[@DuecePiece]

Rode it twice- once during the day and once at night and both times were really awesome! Love it!

[@bananabread162]

The strings are held by flex tape

[@bradleyjacinto7732]

Cool Cheese *flex seal

[@connormagnuson6361]

LOL

[@Brawler-ii3nd]

That’s not flex tape it’s electrical tape lol

[@hedgehog3180]

I would suggest going over the why of why this design is safer. I'm going to guess that it's because with the reverse bungie design the cables are put under a lot of tensile stress which can fatigue them enough to snap. In this design the cables are under much less stress and if the spring mechanism fails they cables wont snap.

[@Luke-qc1rm]

Rather than relying on 4 elastic bands, you are relying on 4 steel cables and a huge amount of springs. For the ride to fail, either 2 steel cables on one side would have to fail at the same time, or a good portion of the springs would need to break. In practice, I’m sure springs break every now and the , but one or two out of 720 won’t compromise safety in the short turn. Obviously, just replace quickly and you’re good to go.

[@Luke-qc1rm]

Also, it’s a lot easier to fasten steel cables than elastic cords. Additionally, the stee is anchored to the ground rather than the top of the top of the towers. Grounds is much secure plus easier to actual connect steel to the anchors.

[@hedgehog3180]

@@Luke-qc1rm yes I did get why it was safer, I just suggested adding it to the video because I think that would be a worthwhile addition.

[@CharlesReinmuth]

Also, no tension or potential energy when loading/unloading the ride because the springs are relaxed and the cable is out fully. So no chance the ride could shoot up unexpectedly during loading before the operator has finished all the safety checks and activates the ride system.

[@spieker1446]

@@CharlesReinmuth The reverse bungie designs I've seen only tension the elastic bands once loading is complete, so there's no risk at loading. Overall, the modern variant is of course safer.

[@teenconservative3433]

Engineering... theme parks... spaceX... Disney... this channel is a combination of all my favorite things literally

[@liamb.9964]

Imagine if people like Disney, spaceX, NASA, and all the crazy engineers on KZbin like hacksmith, mark rober, the king of random, and Colin furze made a theme park.

[@Surrenitie]

@@liamb.9964 The park of awesomeness is born

[@finewine1001]

How dare you forget lucas film

[@trunki006]

As someone who is an engineering and roller coaster enthusiast - I FRIKIN AGREEEEE

[@trunki006]

@@liamb.9964 Don't forget YKW he‘s the craziest engineer

[@thunderlicious5487]

absofuckinglutely i would ride one, unless its a bungee design. it always help ease my mind when i know how something works, especially if i know it is a well thought out and complex design like this

[@davidmunsey9272]

So you want to do the Orlando slingshot

[@ysl5538]

@@davidmunsey9272 I live in Orlando is the one here one of the ghetto old ones or the new system one lmk asap

[@anonymoustranscriber2869]

chubby jew “ghetto” 🙄

[@puffcatco]

so that explains why the newer slingshots are slower than the old ones.... aha

[@majinpe]

That's up to how the machine was made. Stiffness of bungee chord is probably quite limited, but there is no limit for the stiffness of springs and the size of the steel cable. So new design has much more flexibility.

[@luke_5187]

That profile picture

[@puffcatco]

@Trent McTrump I'm pretty sure they only hit around 65 miles per hour. elastic slingshots go around 70. I've been on an elastic slingshot, and I'm pretty sure it accelerates much faster too.

[@MrMywildside]

Enjoyable bullshit yes the reverse bungee ones are faster and more intense.

[@utubegurl4076]

@@MrMywildside Personally i probably wouldn’t “trust” the bungee ones. But by that I really mean I would just be too scared of the possibilities to ride it. The steel one seems safer, but then again, I probably would be too scared to ever do either. Is it worth it? I love thrill rides.

[@ZoniesCoasters]

I found the slingshot rides I've done surprisingly tame. I've dont the classic bunji cord one and a modern one as explained in this video.

[@mtraven23]

that is sooooo much safer than the old school bands, which is what I thought they were all using. Great explanation & the side by side of the springs & ride was exactly what I needed to understand it.

[@_P0tat07_]

Mind blowingly simple. Yet ingenious as hell. That’s crazy

[@Silacide]

No one: Me: Hey Ferb...

[@fartyperson]

That doesn't work

[@cr4shmycar118]

Also no one: Me: “Hey, where’s Perry?”

[@jtbackup4553]

I think Planet Coaster needs slingshot rides!

[@MrDhanesh2nair]

Amazing engineering that makes it work.

[@iymok1999]

Good vid. Can you do a followUp vid on the science behind why people tend to pass out during this ride?

[@AdmiralTom]

Pussies

[@revimfadli4666]

And perhaps climax as well

[@hotmojoe2483]

A bit of GLOC and probably the same reason people pass out on roller coasters: absolute terror. It overwhelms their brain so they literally just pass out.

[@ZoniesCoasters]

Idk how it could be g-forces they seem really weak with Gs. Unless the slingshot at SFFT and the slingshot at Zero Geavity dallas just suck.

[@jacobaddison3632]

Vassal Vagal syndrome

[@mimi11052003]

This was a great video. I always wanted to know how these type of rides were operated.

[@aidanwansbrough7495]

Really interesting how they do it, thanks for explaining!

[@grifkag8365]

Really neat video! I got to ride the Slingshot (Cedar Point) for free several times an employee for Commision back in 2017. Gotta' say though, I wish this video were around back then, I probably wouldn't have been so nervous on the initial ride.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

I always loved the look of these rides I ride these pretty much anywhere when I go to a park

[@ghostfox2473]

I have ridden one with my little sister and it honestly was the ultimate amusment park ride experience. It's at least 3x as thrilling as any drop tower can be

[@HealthInfo]

Excellent explanation. Very well done.

[@thedeliverus]

Clear, concise, c-great

[@majinpe]

Smart engineering! This increase safety, but also probably reduce maintenance cost. Bungee chords are probably expensive and hard to check for faults, which will make for shorter life. Steel wires in other hand are used everywhere and dirt cheap. Its life under cyclic tension is well known and its life is predicted accurately.

[@ryanspence7239]

Just rode this in Daytona Beach, Florida. What a rush! When U go up higher than the towers it's pretty Erie and all we could see was black (we rode at night). I highly recommend it!

[@andflaminify]

Thanks for this. I'm making a slingshot ride for vr and this was exactly what I was looking for.

[@abi3556]

I always thought Canada's Wonderland also used the reverse bungee technique but now that I know how it works, I'm going on it this summer

[@fezzes428]

canadas wonderland is my favourite amusement park, the leviathan is awesome and i love beaver tailss

[@Jonas_0_0]

Today I've ridden it my third time in the skyline park in germany ;) It is sooo awesome I love it!

[@Sukkulents_]

I remember going to CP and seeing that GIANT stack of huge springs for the ride

[@wed0ntask461]

Thanks for the help!

[@mritty115]

Is there any good way of knowing whether the Slingshot at my local amusement center is the new modern style or the old reverse-bungee system?

[@HPD1171]

just look for that spring tower. If its hidden or you can't see it, then there is probably a reason and I would stay away

[@Sr.DeathKnight]

The steel or rubber cables will tell you.

[@Sp00kq]

Look for that tower thing, or look at the cables.

[@Michael-ni9fs]

Just ask them. 😁

[@Hale-Bopp]

You can easily tell by just looking at the cable if it's made of rubber then it's bungee cords which is the old version.. If it's made of steelthen it is the new version.

[@jpetteys3801]

My friend and I were able to get the price down to $14 a piece to ride it in Myrtle Beach. They were very desperate during the off season lol

[@Tsanoa]

Jeff Petteys lucky you I paid nearly $55 for my girlfriend and I

[@liesalllies]

Love these rides. Have done the one at cedar point, it's great. My advice: ride at night!!

[@olicoasters]

I was actually wondering about this! I saw it at Carowinds yesterday and noticed it wasn’t like the one at Mount Olympus - the one which had a cable snap a few years ago within a few hours of my town.

[@KingRCT3]

Really cool video! I rode a bunch of them. Some from Technical Park (with elastic ropes) and one from Funtime (with the springs mechanism). The former is more chaotic and induces unwanted lateral shifts that aren't really enjoyable, as well as more inversions (including upside down bounces, ouch). But the launch is unmatched and really really cool. A unique feel you can't find anywhere else! But yeah, I rode one a week before an incident where one motor broke (those pulling steel cables to stretch the elastic ropes) resulting to the vehicle be suspended from one elastic only... (May 21st, Foire du Trône) These rides are expensive to run as you have to buy new elastic ropes every 300 jumps if I recall correctly (who are the primary source of accidents). We can also note that the vehicle is maintened in place thank to a strong magnet. The Funtime one was taller and "smoother". It was still quite a thrill and you do feel safer in those haha. They are definitely unique, and be up there, relatively far from the towers is really amazing. Their downside is the low capacity, making them upcharge attractions most of the time (but not at Skyline Park where I rode it!), as well as the fact that you need to be two people to ride it. As I am often the only one to go on these, I've always have to find another volunteer that is alone.

[@RomanEttlinger98]

Yeah Skyline Park🤟

[@CaryArchitects]

amazing. only word you need to describe a slingshot ride

[@paulmar8934]

I rode the one on Wildwood NJ Boardwalk. So much fun!!

[@kingpic]

great video. please continue uploading similar content

[@ryanklopp5754]

small correction, only two cables are attached to the ride capsule

[@ArtofEngineering]

There are 2 cables per side: i.imgur.com/Sib2ohl.jpg

[@ryanklopp5754]

@@ArtofEngineering The steel cables actually go underneath the ride, so one end of the cable is attached to the capsule and the other end is attached to the other side of the capsule, giving the illusion that there is four cables. Source: might have been a meth addict for a number of years/s

[@ArtofEngineering]

Do you have an actual source for this? According to the patent drawings from the manufacturer, each cable feeds into the elastic frame separately and terminates at an anchoring point inside the frame. It would be possible to use two continuous cables instead of four separate ones though, so I'd be curious to know if they've revised the design.

[@ryanklopp5754]

@@ArtofEngineering www.funtime.com.au/data/tech1.htm, plus changed the cable a couple of times. on the M45 model.

[@utahcoasterenthusiasts]

I used to work at Lagoon in Utah and had the opportunity to ride theirs many times as it needs riders to test each morning. I've been on theirs at least over 100 times. Its fun but usually these are pay extra attractions and I don't think its worth paying more for. Sky Coasters are though! Great video, I enjoyed it.

[@wjaredwalker]

Hey, what's lagoon like in its first few open weekends? Are all the rides open (perhaps besides the rapids or something)? Is it crowded at all?

[@2010ngojo]

It be nice to know how the seats or whatever are held in place before launching, and how it is released. And safety features would be nice too.

[@d4m4s74]

So far I've only been on the bungee cord version. This seems cheaper in the long run because you don't have to replace the bungee cords as often

[@wii1245]

Oh, hell yeah. I would definitely ride one for AfV.

[@BradDutton130]

Ive been on the slingshot i loved it its achually fun its my first upside down ride

[@kornbread5359]

thanks for making this vid

[@JohnSmithZen]

Thank you. Great video.

[@gabrielsasala1875]

I live in Daytona Beach and I see the Daytona slingshot all the time, they even have a Facebook page and slow clips, even in this video they showed the Daytona slingshot

[@sunshine7861]

Uhhh Thankyou!!! I have been very curious how it worked, what happen and so forth bc one never see it exept for the screaming ppl... No i would never have a ride absolutely NOT however its fun (or scary rather) to see others try it... 🙂🙂

[@mikebaugus2881]

You know all theses questions about “would you ever get on this?hell get on it? I would love to own my own.....in my backyard!! No line just figured a way ya run it by yourself

[@AA-ld6eo]

Can you explain in the next video how a air pressured launch coaster works? Edit: I love your explanations!!

[@sophiathekitty]

i wanted to ride one of these when i heard a local amusement park got one... but i wasn't able to find it... i did find a smaller version that was basically just a single person jumping version. and was super sad because that looked so disappointing compared to what you're showing here. i mean.... the park had a giant swing ride that you got strapped into a harness and then pulled up super high in the air and then had to pull a release to drop face first towards the ground before going into a massive swing arc. that ride was so much fun... but they charged extra to ride it so i only got to go a couple times.... and even though two people could go at once i had to go alone every time because my friend and mom were too scared... now i don't think i could handle much of any of these rides because i get pretty motion sick pretty easy anymore. so i'm kinda sad that i never got to go on one of these during the window that i would have enjoyed it.

[@juani.figueroac.8800]

Please explain the magic flying carpet on Disney's Aladdin on Broadway!!!

[@HomeRunChess]

Wait it’s not strings? Is it?

[@gamingbois1013]

Congrats on 100k

[@reubengoldberg3577]

The grooved wheels (commonly referred to as pulleys) are sheaves. A pulley is a flat wheel and is used in a belt drive system. A major means of transmitting power in the 1800's

[@n01928]

Its just a type of pulley.

[@babyjesuslovesme1219]

Miss this thrill!!! Nothing like it

[@Joypyf]

SO cool! 👍🏼 I just subbed! 😊

[@hphillips7425]

Good information and interesting

[@lukasrohrmoser3213]

That's actually a heck of a lot interesting

[@danariusm.4283]

I rode one about 5 years ago and enjoyed it. I took off my shoes to and felt like I was flying.

[@thatkid4209]

I have been on one before in Orlando and it’s like 300 feet and it was pretty intense

[@joev2742]

Could not stop laughing on it. My friend on the other hand couldnt stop screaming

[@sylvia4alvarez]

Very good video.

[@WestJet79]

I have done both the Bungee cord ones, and the Spring cable system.. I will say the Bungee cord ones were always a more intense ride, with greater G-Force and acceleration. I find the Spring system slow and boring in comparison.

[@WestJet79]

@@davidcraig4357 I trust cable more, but mainly due to the fact that operators were pushing the cords past their life span. My point is the cords give a way more extreme ride than the cable which is kind of boring.

[@BioTheHuman]

@@WestJet79 Yeah, but the second is much safer 😂

[@kevinmingo]

nice break down .....Thx

[@izaakz12]

Great video

[@adamr.7472]

I went on the Canadas Wonderland one yesterday.

[@danokitemano9316]

Pretty awesome explination here & yes I'd Luv to be Launched 36 stories into the air!

[@hughgevainey3181]

I wanted to design a system that's a spring loaded clutch to launch the basket. Basically a huge wind up toy. 😆 with a few modifications.

[@OatmealDonk]

I went on the one in Orlando and to be honest it was really calm and relaxed. Rita at Alton towers seemed to have faster acceleration to be honest (even though I'm reality it doesn't it just felt like that). I don't get why people scream there heads of on them myself. :-3

[@n3lis94]

At 0:32 you show sky shot in skyline park, but that's actually a modern slingshot ride ;)

[@AliSaeed]

Knowledge updated Thankyou

[@serdaraknc1277]

l loved your video it was so useful

[@joshuamorrissette]

I’m going to try it next week at six flags New England

[@hawkguy531]

The bungee cord versions are way more intense/fun!

[@ben119_edits7]

Agree. I've Only Been On A Slingshot Once In My Life And It Was A Bungee Slingshot And It Was The Best And Most Intense Ride I've Been On By Far.

[@boltgaming248]

@@ben119_edits7 i still don't know what the tallest slingshot in the world uses bungee cord or cables?

[@ekulenwaiku4654]

I can't wait to ride one 😋

[@Wintersghost135]

There’s a ride like this in branson. Maybe a pendulum / swinging ride instead of a slingshot. Not sure - don’t remember but it uses the two big towers where people dangle in betwixt. What I do remember were large cracks in the concrete base of one of the towers. Cracks in the concrete of sidewalks and streets are common and not much concern but those towers are crazy tall. I can’t imagine the torque on those things when they’re fully loaded. So I just tell myself that the ride is regularly inspected and there must be some steel pillars that go many meters into the ground on each tower so it must be safe 😳

[@golddigger6912]

That's the slingshot at my local park!

[@BeRaptureReady42]

Noooope!!!! I'll say it..... I'm scared lol

[@jakedeneau7554]

I live so close to cedar point ugh how lucky

[@falpato]

I am just curious what is the maximum G force that one can experience in trying this ride?

[@DirectorBird]

The number of engineering breakthroughs in having fun could be compared to how many made during war.

[@GreenEnvy.]

this would be a very good comment if your wording wasn't so damn terrible.

[@DirectorBird]

@@GreenEnvy.???

[@djtblizzle]

Now that I have this info, I’d feel much better about riding.

[@Sp00kq]

I've always wanted to go on one of these but... Looking at the height you said, idk. Tallest I've done is 40 meters. I can deal with long free fall feelings, but I can deal with it. I was recently at Silverwood in Idaho with my friend and the tallest ride, Aftershock, was sadly closed. I was really looking forward to riding it but couldn't because of weather

[@InVisionFuture]

Thanks

[@ibrahimissiakou5094]

I want to go on the slingshot ride but I can’t be too scared!!

[@justincarawan-carawanco.pu1639]

I'll try any ride once!

[@user-EmontE70]

Always wondered how this ride got its energy.

[@ameywani8]

I am grateful to myself for foucsing in my mechanics classes

[@kazza6078]

I just watched a bunch of funny reactions on slingshot rides and I realized I wasn't when sure what the ride WAS lol.

[@FFLL2112]

The Slingshot is a ride where you literally experience over 5G’s (over 110mph in one second). Nothing else like it in terms of attraction style rides.. the visual, the thrust, the height and the 5+G’s.. all amazing 💯🤙🏻

[@figelgarnel8864]

Wildwood’s Slingshot is very fun

[@prettygangtiti9156]

I’ll ride anything but this .😂

[@christianlemonade5355]

Prettygang Titi oh we know you can ride anything but his

[@FireCat_P]

christian Lemonade LMFAO CHILL 😂😂😂

[@JuliannaK1597]

I feel like part of the reason I've walked past this ride so many times and never gotten on it is that it costs additional money. The coasters and (I think) every other ride at Cedar Point is included in the price of admission. They also get fast pass money from lots of guests now, too, so I'm not really sure why it costs $20 to get on the slingshot. I mean, it's also terrifying. Which is most of the reason I don't ride it. I love roller coasters, but thrill rides just make me nervous, for whatever reason.

[@UltimateBreloom]

A lot of the time it's because of the number of people that can ride it. Only two people ride this ride at a time which makes it more expensive to operate.

[@wolfsburggti4476]

This is actually a genius idea

[@MegaMGstudios]

Question, why are fairgrounds so damn loud? I understand they make noise to add to the atmosphere and I do not have a problem with it, but there's a fairground 2.5 km away from where I life, yet I can still hear it

[@yeeturmcbeetur8197]

What’s in between you and the fair? Trees? Water? A direct road connecting they two? Sound travels quite easy over things. There’s a ferry boat 5 miles away from my house, but the sound can easily be heard from my house due to the road being open that pretty much directly connects us.

[@MegaMGstudios]

@@yeeturmcbeetur8197 there's nothing much in between, it's in a park with very little trees and most buildings in the way are 2/3 stories max

[@yeeturmcbeetur8197]

MegaMGstudios that’s why. Park with very little trees allows for the sound to ride the ground and the flat buildings lets the sound bounce around until it reaches you.

[@liamb.9964]

I know how it feels. I have a train track one mile from my house and we can still here it as well. there is only suburbs blocking it form us though.

[@monkeygonz5175]

I can imagine that system being used as a SAW trap

[@jacksmallwood8814]

I’ve ridden the one at cedar point

[@ghosthunter0950]

Wow, now I won't be afraid to go on this ride anymore. 4 steel cables? Epic. - not written by my friend

[@marcor8278]

2 cables. They go from one side of chair, through spring box, to the other side. Front and back one

[@MightyJohnYoung]

I operate the spring shot ride in wildwood NJ, and nothing is better than scaring the crap out of customers😂😂. If you haven’t been on one of these I highly suggest it

[@vedhamoorthyc4540]

Vera level

[@leogolive]

Where is the video of one of these contraptions breaking loose from the cables and catapulting somebody into orbit? I wanna see THAT!

[@maximilorsumshit6034]

I have been there (cedar fair is a company not park btw they own multiple parks) I have been on that place is carowinds btw

[@kauske]

*Cedar Fair* is a company, that owns *Cedar Point,* which is the park he mentions by name in the video.

[@maximilorsumshit6034]

👵🏿

[@carolinacolin3385]

Yessss