Kentucky Flyer Clear for Take-off

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originally posted on 5/3/2019

Everything was lining up for take-off. All the finishing touches were being finalized in the area. Social media ran posts throughout the winter. Kentucky Flyer, America’s newest wooden coaster, was being constructed at an impressively rapid pace.

As the opening date to the public, April 28, approached, a few special guests enjoyed a media day on April 25 and season pass holders got an early look on April 26. Kentucky Kingdom (Louisville) was in the spotlight.

The entrance to Kentucky Flyer is between the Skycatcher (swing ride) and the Wikiwiki Wai waterslide tower. New signs were put in place and flowers were planted. Everything was lining up for take-off. Mother Nature was starting to make her presence known as the forecast for April 25 was not looking good. Rain was going to happen, and it would all come down to the timing. For media day, scattered showers were predicted, but the start time kept getting pushed back, as the clock ticked on. With fingers crossed, guests arrived and enjoyed food and beverages. President and CEO Ed Hart made a few opening remarks and then invited everyone over to the ride entrance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony by mascot King Louie, sporting a new look for 2019.

Three signs placed along the entrance path talk about “Velocity,” “Elevation” and “Turbulence.” Everything about Kentucky Flyer is airport related. All spiels and announcements have that common element to add to the overall experience. Once riders have received clearance for take-off, the trains exit the station and start their climb up the 47-foot-tall lift hill. Although the height may not sound impressive, it is just right for the intention of this coaster’s placement in the park’s lineup.

Photo: John Robinson. View full-sized image.

At the top of the lift, riders take a slight turn to the right before dropping 44 feet at a 54-degree angle. True to form, pictures are taken at the bottom of the first drop, here with a unique take on the on-ride photo — the date of the flight incorporated into the graphics. Trains then perform the first aerial trick — a double up with a turn to the left. This gives a good pop of air in the front as well as the back. The second big drop follows before a turn to the right. Another double up leads to the climb into the turn around. The third and final big drop leads to the “quad down,” which features a turn to the right on the third downward portion. Following this signature move, the 11th airtime element — yes, in this short time — drops through the structure and approaches the final hill, which looks crazy from some angles but delivers the last moment of airtime. Kentucky Flyer is filled with The Gravity Group’s flair for air everywhere.

Photo: Mark Brunner. View full-sized image.

Photo: John Robinson. View full-sized image.

Photo: Mark Brunner. View full-sized image.

Kentucky Flyer is a much-needed addition to the park’s coaster lineup. It is a coaster that all members of the family will enjoy riding together. The minimum height requirement to ride is only 40 inches (when riding with a co-pilot) or 46 inches to pilot solo. Finding this fit between the park’s major thrillers and the smaller children’s coaster was Hart’s goal; he seems to have succeeded.

Photo: Mark Brunner. View full-sized image.

Kentucky Flyer is located in the back of the park behind the family wave lagoon making for a great backdrop for the waterpark. It marks the current boundary of the park and places a coaster in every corner of the park. Everywhere one now looks, there is a coaster. It’s powder white structure with bright red handrails is nothing short of classic.

The Timberliner trains from Gravitykraft are very comfortable and the only ones in the region. Train One is the silver and red plane, and Train Two is the blue and red plane. The fronts of the trains are delightfully adorned with a propeller.

Photo: Mark Brunner. View full-sized image.

This gem of a coaster packs a lot of punch in 1,288 feet of track, reaching a top speed of 35 mph during the flight. The final hill before making “the landing” leaves quite the impression. Kentucky Flyer is the park’s sixth coaster (and second woodie) and is the only new wooden roller coaster to open in North America in 2019.

— Mark Brunner

ACEer Mark Brunner Honored with First Ride

Many members know that ACEer Mark Brunner has loyally worked at Kentucky Kingdom for 23 seasons, including for every owner-operator. President and CEO Ed Hart related to Brunner that because of everything he has done for the park over the years and continues to do on behalf of the park within the coaster community he would be the first to take flight on Kentucky Flyer. That first flight took place on April 18 and holds a special spot as a solo flight and as Brunner’s 600th coaster. Trying to get Hart to fly with him, Brunner was turned down because Hart suffers from motion sickness.