Air
was the third coaster from manufacturer Bolliger and Mabillard that Alton Towers installed. The idea of lying face down under the track was actually thought up straight after Nemesis opened in 1994 and it was to be the follow up coaster after that, however the concept of Oblivions vertical drop was thought of and Air was put on hold.
Like Nemesis riders are located under the track, however there is the difference that on air rides assume the flying position to give a truly unique experience. One issue that faced the designers and caused the development to take so long was the question of how exactly do you get riders into the flying position? B&M's answer was to start the seats in a normal position and then pull the bottom of the seat up backwards leaving riders facing straight down. This procedure has the downside of adding to the time it takes to load and dispatch a train so in order to keep the throughput of the ride up Alton Towers built two stations next to each other.
The ride itself is incredibly smooth and give's the sensation of flying as best it can. After climbing the list hill you start your headfirst dive back to the ground, pulling back up again you are than spun onto your back leaving you facing up to the sky. This takes you into a curved section that first goes downhill providing some nice G's and then up again before flipping you back on your front. Following this you then dive back down to the ground through a tunnel that takes you under a path, then back up again and through a tight corner to the right. You are now led through the rides 360-degree barrel roll, which exits with you flying over the rides maintenance shed. It's debatable whether this is truly an inversion or not as you are lying down. On a normal coaster it would be but on air its technically the drops where your body inverts not the track twisting elements. Now you are taken down into a tight helix before hitting the breaks and into the opposite station to where you started.
All in all Air is an excellent ride and is enjoyable for those that don't want to go on something to intense while still pleasing for those that do. For shortest queues make this the first ride of your day.
GUEST INFORMATION
Ride Category: Coaster
Intensity Rating: 5
Bag Storage: Yes
On-Ride Photo: Yes
Height Restriction: 1.4
FACT SHEET
Year Opened: 2002
Status: Operating
Design: Flying
Inversions: 2
Type: Steel
Make: B&M
Model: Flying Coaster
Capacity: 1500
Seats per : 28
Speed: 75kph
Track Length: 840m
Height: 20m
Lift Hills: 1
Stations: 2
G-Force: 3.5
Elements:
Lie to Fly,
Fly To Lie,
In-Line Twist
