Posted February 11, 201114 yr comment_108684 So with the news that a B&M is to open at Thorpe for 2012, lets discuss a ride that will be celebrating it's tenth birthday next year. Air, B&M's first flying rollercoaster opened in 2002 and is quite unlike any other ride in Europe. Swooping up and over Nemesis and with an emphasis on the thrill of flight does Air inspire you or do you hate it and have been put off flying ever since.For reference, French ride enthusiasts love it. But do you?!
February 11, 201114 yr comment_108687 Air I feel is vastly under-rated in the coaster community...It's not brilliant, but it is very solid and I definitely prefer it to Tatsu, which hurt a lot...A good rating here...
February 11, 201114 yr comment_108693 Although I would've said Tatsu was my preferred, they were built for completely different purposes.Air is meant to give the feeling of flying which I think it does really well. outstanding.
February 11, 201114 yr comment_108694 It's a "meh" from me.I don't really mine either way, I won't wait to ride it but I like that it's there and I think it completes the area nicely. However it is my least favourite flying coaster.Dave
February 11, 201114 yr comment_108707 I did'nt mind it the first couple of times I rode it, but now it just sends me to sleep :)I voted average.
February 11, 201114 yr comment_108709 It's average. Tbf, the advert for it did advertise it well.. a sleepy flying sensation. Yaawwn.
February 11, 201114 yr comment_108710 It's average. Tbf, the advert for it did advertise it well.. a sleepy flying sensation. Yaawwn.
February 11, 201114 yr comment_108712 It's average. Tbf, the advert for it did advertise it well.. a sleepy flying sensation. Yaawwn.Air's advert <3http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mxo5Fi1gYI
February 11, 201114 yr comment_108720 I voted good.I believe it's a unique design that simulates a fantastic sensation of flight. Every piece of marketing about this ride focused on the flight aspect and not necessarily the thrills.I believe the flying position is so unique, it takes very little for the coaster to be thrilling. When I rode Manta at Sea World, for example, the pretzel loop was verging on painful. Even though I much preferred Manta, this was mainly down to the beautiful landscaping more than the ride hardware itself.It's this reason why I haven't rated Air "excellent". For me, it isn't a complete experience and lacks a few scenic features to be able to gain an excellent grade.
February 11, 201114 yr comment_108735 Shockingly, I too prefer Air to Manta. I didn't enjoy the Pretzel Loop experience at all... finding it far too intense. Air is not an "amazing" ride, it could be better with better experience in the tunnel and surrounding area, but it's a very popular ride at the park and overall I believe it does a very good job.I vote "good".
February 12, 201114 yr comment_108831 I have much love for Air <3 It just looks, sounds and feels so good. Also, it's a tribute to how blue coaster track dating from 2002 should look in 2011 I couldn't say if I prefer it to Manta, I found them to be two coasters with very different purposes, so I don't think one is necessarily 'better' as such than the other.
March 12, 201114 yr comment_110510 I voted good.The only things stopping it from being excellent are the lack of scenery/theming and the spit puddles on the end brakes (although I realise this isn't AT's fault!)
June 16, 201114 yr comment_117970 Great concept at the time but very much a proto-type and as a ride a fairly average experience even if a unique 1 for the UK, the Americans have built much larger and better versions since!
June 16, 201114 yr comment_117973 Great concept at the time but very much a proto-type and as a ride a fairly average experience even if a unique 1 for the UK, the Americans have built much larger and better versions since!Larger yes... Better? Well, at least Air has never tried to wrench my legs from their sockets like Tatsu did...Bigger =/= Better...
June 16, 201114 yr Author comment_117976 Great concept at the time but very much a proto-type and as a ride a fairly average experience even if a unique 1 for the UK, the Americans have built much larger and better versions since!I think Air's actually a really nice ride. It doesn't have the mind blowing element of Manta and Tatsu which in a way helps it. Air is supposed to be trying to simulate free-flight which it wouldn't do if it was trying to throw you around in all sorts of directions.
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