SUPERMAN: ULTIMATE FLIGHT

SUPERMAN AT SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE

The most intriguing thing about this coaster, in operation at several Six Flags parks, is the concept and its implementation, the concept being flight simulation.   This is achieved by pronating the train prior to dispatch so that the riders are riding face down.  For me, this was a novelty and although I suppose that the intention was to create a sensation of flying freely, I found that it contributed to a heightened sense of vulnerability.  I knew that my harness was nice and snug but nevertheless felt as if I was going to pitch forward and fall out of the train at any moment during the ascent of the 106-foot lift hill.  The train drops 100 feet and shortly thereafter proceeds into its signature element, a 78-foot pretzel loop (see 4^th photograph).  This is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the ride, partly because of the sudden, unexpected acceleration and plunge to the ground.   Other notable elements of the ride are two horseshoe turns and a nice inline twist.  I tried to capture this last element in the 3^rd photograph but it didn’t come out very well, as you can’t see the train rolling over.   Anyway, Superman: Ultimate Flight provides an interesting, different and fun ride experience.  The only thing I definitely disliked was having to maintain this posture (see 5^th photograph) at the end of the ride for several minutes, with my hair falling all over my face, while stuck outside the loading area waiting for the next train to be dispatched.  3 out of 5 stars.  For more information about rides at Six Flags Great Adventure, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/