Hypersonic XLC Opening Weekend - March 24th & 25th, 2001 - Paramount's Kings Dominion

[@johnfoltz8183]

Air Powered Vertical Coaster 1 has broken down.

[@OakViewFilms]

I remember when this ride first opened up, I was amazed. I thought this would be the future of roller coasters and that this kind of launched mechanisms would be installed at more amusement parks for years to some. Sadly, I was mistaken. Wish they could have worked out all the bugs and problems this ride has, since I thought this ride was brilliant, despite being really short. Still have yet to check out Dodonpa, but it looks amazing.

[@SeanFlaharty]

OakViewFilms Dodonpa is my favorite! I only was able to take two rides on it. After both rides, I was shaking. It was incredible!!

[@IainHendry]

Thanks for sharing this! That was a trip down memory lane, seeing all those familiar faces!

[@SeanFlaharty]

You are very welcome buddy! I have a ton of old footage up with a lot of our old friends, including you. I hope all is well.

[@Galistia]

I'm so glad I got to ride this before it closed.

[@young804keezy5]

Galistia me 2 them was the days

[@mark2thed281]

I was there a month after that! What a ride :)

[@JJJJ-he8bz]

I bet that’s way more intimidating than Dragster or Ka. I’m not fooled by its size or stats.

[@SeanFlaharty]

The launch was definitely more intense than TTD or Kingda Ka.

[@LIG87]

I remember riding this... I was at Kings Dominion and rode every ride while I was sick.. got home and had a temp of 103!! This ride was dope but short as hell and I thought it was weird how it was built in the middle of the park right above where people walked

[@SeanFlaharty]

It was in a strange location for sure. However, it was custom built for that location. The only portion of track that banks and curves to the right was done so there was plenty of clearance for the sky coaster riders. The prototype at the S&S factory didn't have this portion and the pull-out of the big drop was modified for KD to make it easier for riders.

[@toyshop98]

i remember me my mom and her friend two sons road this in 2004 the best ride ever sad they took it down it had lines around the block. 2hrs worth waiting in line

[@ThemeParkCrazy]

May I use this footage in a top ten video I'm making? It's a top ten list about defunct roller coasters. I will give you full credit and send the link to the video when it's done.

[@SeanFlaharty]

Yes, you may. I look forward to seeing your video.

[@hog-klown-4eva974]

It was short, but so worth it. The lap bars made it easy for my skinny butt to basically stand up as it went over the 90 degree up and down. It was taken down or sold after a few short years unfortunately.

[@Jeff321]

Maxx Force 2019 HYPE

[@andrewc1199]

Hey it’s the air powered coaster from RCT3

[@SeanFlaharty]

That is indeed where the inspiration for the game came from.

[@johnfoltz8183]

Are you sure you want to completely demolish Air Powered Vertical Coaster 1?

[@peterg644]

We got Maxxforce now so it's all good

[@SeanFlaharty]

I hope the best for he park as S&S coasters aren't exactly known for their reliability. Let's hope for the best. I am sure I will give it a ride next year.

[@NickyD]

maxxforce will be the new kingda ka with break downs

[@peterg644]

@@SeanFlaharty They mastered the air-launch coaster with all those reliable air-launch coasters in China.

[@SeanFlaharty]

@@peterg644While the rides look amazing, I have heard mixed reviews on the reliability of those versions in China. Let's hope for the best though!

[@thecoasterbros]

May I use this footage in a video about the Axis coaster? I will provide full credit for your work.

[@knexpert_of_kansas8127]

I wonder if s&s could still make another launch as powerful as this. Powderkegs launch is string but doubt anything close to that

[@SeanFlaharty]

Dodonpa is even more powerful and faster. It still operates in Japan. It's an incredible ride. S&S have a few other powerful launched coasters across the world. But, they have better technology than this prototype.

[@tt2peppermintswirlfan]

Maxx force 2019

[@briandale2598]

Knexpert_of_Kansas Maxx Force SFGAM

[@joannietowner3317]

I like that chime

[@SeanFlaharty]

It was a cool sound indeed.

[@joannietowner3317]

@@SeanFlaharty you should make a another Kings Dominion video are a chime compilation

[@joannietowner3317]

What. Is that chime called

[@SeanFlaharty]

Ha ha. That chime is the only one I have. I live in Ohio so I don't visit KD often.

[@SeanFlaharty]

That chime is what is heard before the ride starts testing. It's an all clear sound to alert anyone around the track area that a train is moving on the track.

[@NickyD]

airtime in the back had to be something they should try to rebuilt this

[@SeanFlaharty]

It was really extreme airtime. Dodonpa in Japan is a larger, similar ride that has even more airtime going over the spike. It's crazy.

[@evanchee8545]

@@SeanFlaharty welp i guess you could say it has a lot of hangtime now

[@AmusementLabs]

So in a way the US is getting this back with MaxxForce, right? Or is MaxxForce's launch track longer meaning it won't have the same force? Given it's 78 in 1.9 seconds I think it is, but do you think it'll be Sean?

[@SeanFlaharty]

I think the force will be similar indeed. Not sure about the same violent airtime like Hypersonic had, but I think it will be an amazing ride.

[@AmusementLabs]

@@SeanFlaharty It does have that little hop right after the launch though. Definitely something that makes me buy a plane ticket out there. A good move by SF to bring back something from the times before guests were a buncha weak links imo. Let's us try something we never got a chance to try.

[@visionist7]

It'll still be behind Stealth which does 0-80 in 1.8 seconds ;-) The ride time will probably be a bit more than those same 1.8 seconds though unlike Stealth lmao

[@CoasterNick3157]

Do you plan on hitting up maxx force one day

[@SeanFlaharty]

I hope to visit sometime this year. Hopefully before the summer is over.

[@Dancing88Mike]

I remember riding this when I was 15 back in 03 it was a fund ride. Sad they tore it down but I'm glad I got to ride it. It was also the day I lost my fear of Coasters

[@SeanFlaharty]

+Michael Casey I am glad you got to ride it as well. It was a very unique ride. It's larger and faster sibling still operates in Japan and is the most most intense coaster I have ever ridden.

[@visionist7]

@@SeanFlaharty how easy was it navigating Japan to go and ride Dodonpa (and all the other coasters they have)? Closest airport etc? It's on the list for me but the language is even more intimidating than Dodonpa lol

[@SeanFlaharty]

@@visionist7 It was actually fairly easy once we got there. We did a lot of research before the trip so we had a better idea of what to expect. We flew into Narita and mostly used their incredible efficient train system. I tried my best to learn as much Japanese as I could before the trip but almost everyone there spoke some english so it wasn't as bad to communicate. I have a 15-part docu-type series on my channel from that trip that is in my playlist. I shot that video in 2005 but recently re-uploaded it in 60fps.

[@visionist7]

@@SeanFlaharty thanks! :-) Will check it out

[@gopats85]

Better than that stupid Car ride they put in there after they tore this down. Wasn’t the best coaster but the launch was pretty damn awesome, good memories for sure.

[@SeanFlaharty]

The launch was amazing. If you want something even more powerful than Hypersonic's launch get over to Japan sometime. Do-Dodonpa operator's at Fuji-Q. It's the fastest accelerating coaster in the world. 112mph in 1.5 seconds. It's insane and reminds me of a more powerful version of Hypersonic. Same ride system .

[@vectorcollector4893]

What is the beeping noise at the beginning of the video

[@SeanFlaharty]

That is the "all clear" alarm letting any park personnel know the ride is about to test and the track area should be cleared from anyone inspecting it.

[@vectorcollector4893]

Sean Flaharty OK

[@vectorcollector4893]

Was this only implemented on hypersonic XLC or is this on every S&S air launch

[@SeanFlaharty]

@@vectorcollector4893 I have heard it on other non-launched coasters also. Some sound like car alarms. Some sound like sirens. I think it may just be up to the park to chose the sound. I could be wrong on that though.

[@preston3022]

2023-2024

[@NickyD]

i wonder if they can remake this ride since maxx force is pretty much going to be the same thing really wonder how that airtime was after launch

[@SeanFlaharty]

If this ride were to be remade I doubt it would have the same layout as they can do much more with what they have now. The airtime on the top was absolutely insane .

[@AmusementLabs]

Hey Sean, I'm going to try and make a MaxxForce Video in the coming weeks and was hoping I could use some of this footage in it with proper credit to you. Is that okay?

[@SeanFlaharty]

Yes. You may use it. Thanks for asking. If you can link this video in the description of your video, that seems to help with copyright detection.

[@AmusementLabs]

@@SeanFlaharty you'll claim it??

[@SeanFlaharty]

@@AmusementLabs No, I won't claim it but sometimes I get a copyright notification if someone uses my footage. For whatever reason I usually don't get notified if the user puts a link in the description of their video. If I still get a notification after I have given permission, I dismiss it and allow it to be used. Plus, having a link helps out my analytics reports if I need to use a report.

[@AmusementLabs]

@@SeanFlaharty oh okay. Thank you for the clarification. 🙂

[@SeanFlaharty]

@@AmusementLabs You are welcome.

[@djavatar68]

Im surprised it hasnt ended up in Mexico.

[@SeanFlaharty]

I had heard it a park in another country was interested in it. Not sure if that was true or not.

[@daniel.909]

Wayyy better than those bullet coasters.

[@defonotmario]

Why was this closed? Maintenance issues?

[@SeanFlaharty]

I believe so.

[@joker12769]

It was a maintenance nightmare. It was constantly breaking down & causing issues. Add that to the low rider capacity & the park decided to scrap it.

[@visionist7]

@@joker12769 I wonder if it's big brother in Japan is reliable? Imagine going all the way to Japan and the ride is down OMG :-O

[@ColeStudios6]

Rip...

[@CoasterCola]

Hi there! I am in the process of making a video about Hypersonic, may I use this footage in the video? Proper credit will be given.

[@CoasterCola]

+Sean Flaharty it's fine. I can use saveform.net and just trim the beginning.

[@preston3022]

They should bring another build the really fastest roller coaster and longest in America!!!

[@ajh.4131]

I'm so glad they took this ride down. I only rode it once in 2005 because there was always some mechanical issues going on so the ride was always shut down. Waited in line for an hour for the 30 second ride. It's funny because even though it's been gone for years, you can still see the station to the ride today.

[@MestizoFilipino]

This was a fast accelerator than Xcelerator at Knott's.. Why was this removed? What problems were there?

[@SeanFlaharty]

It was a maintenance nightmare from what I heard. They went through a couple different sets of trains before removing the ride.

[@lazor222]

The airtime looked insane over that top hat. I remember getting in line for it in 2007, then when it broke down we all went to ride hurler instead since it was right there. I chickened out though when hypersonic opened back up. Really regret that but I was definitely not the biggest thrill seeker back then lol. Had no idea I'd never get the chance to ride it again.

[@SeanFlaharty]

You can still go to Japan and ride the stronger, faster version. :) Although now it has a big vertical loop instead of the tower. I am sure it's still incredible to ride though. The original version is my favorite.

[@peterg644]

Or just ride Maxxforce

[@henryho2510]

4:01 This is so boring That got me laughing

[@SeanFlaharty]

Ha ha. That comment was made from my friend Barry who had ridden the coaster several times a couple days prior during the media preview.

[@CARay1214]

Never seen an uglier coaster in my life, needless to say it looked like a pretty fun ride.

[@SeanFlaharty]

+Chris It was a fun ride. They went through different types of trains that made the ride even uglier in my opinion.

[@veeseee128]

Its a mini version of Dragster and Kingda Kaa. Virginia doesn't have any real good roller coasters except for intimidator 305

[@SeanFlaharty]

It is kind of like a smaller version of those ride. I do think Virginia has some decent coasters. While I liked I-305, I wasn't completely floored by it. I think the hype was too great. It's fun to ride though and I plan on riding it each time I go to the park.

[@mekanism8364]

+what up my neighbor! I like the dominator and flight of fear a lot and I would peg them as good rides.

[@LatteDaddy99]

Lmao wut? I305, dominator, volcano, RMC Hurler, griffon, apollo's chariot? Get your head outta your ass sir.

[@patagonianratz]

VA has some of the best coasters in the country - you only look at who has the biggest and fastest that doesn’t make it a “great coaster “ just based on that