Canada: New “Skyhawk” Ride in Canada’s Wonderland Attracts Visitors

The Canadian amusement park Canada’s Wonderland located close to Toronto inaugurated its new attraction “Skyhawk” starting into the current season on 1st May 2016, which offers visitors to slip into a pilot’s skin taking control of their own cockpit. The SkyRoller attraction manufactured by the German company Gerstlauer Amusement Rides has room for up to 24 persons. There are twelve radial arms which fan out from the top of the steel pine, each boasting a claw clutching two seats. At the outer ones riders can experience up to eleven 360 degree turns per minute at a total height of 135 feet (41 meters) in the air. The total duration of the ride is of 1.5 minutes. “The record so far is 59 ‘inversions’, but 100 rotations may well be possible,” said Adam Sandy, Head of Business Development at Ride Entertainment. His company was partner for the interactive SkyRoller ride made by Gerstlauer for Canada’s Wonderland. It is the first one of its kind in North America and the fourth worldwide. The rotation speed is restricted mechanically by the individual weight of the rider and weather conditions. According to the park this thrill-seeking attraction is only one of two planned reforms for Canada’s Wonderland in 2016. (eap)