A Thrust Air 2000 (commonly known as a thrust air coaster) was a model of launched roller coaster made by S&S Worldwide that used refrigerated, compressed air to shoot a rubber-wheeled car down a steel track. A prototype model was created at the manufacturer's factory in 1999, then sold to Kings Dominion as Hypersonic XLC, which opened in 2001. Do-Dodonpa, located at Fuji-Q Highland, was the only production model in existence, opening in 2001 as well. It was once the fastest roller coaster in the world and held the record of the world's fastest acceleration on a roller coaster throughout its existence. Both models have since closed, and were originally fabricated by Intermountain Lift, Inc.
Prototype The prototype Thrust Air 2000 was made in 1999 at the S&S Power plant in Utah. That prototype was bought by Paramount directly from the plant and then built at Kings Dominion.
List of Thrust Air 2000 Coasters
Name Height Speed Park, Location Year opened Status HyperSonic XLC Kings Dominion, Virginia 2001-2007 Do-Dodonpa Fuji-Q Highland, Japan 2001-2021
Stats Height: . Climb: 90 degrees Drop: 90 degrees Acceleration: 0-80 mph (0-128.7 km/h) in 1.8 sec Top Speed: about Launch System: Ingersoll-Rand screw type compressor Track layout: Out-and-back roller coaster Track type: I-beam
External links Thrust Air 2000 Hypersonic XLC Official website
References