News: World's largest Flying Coaster - Tatsu, to debut Spring 2006

Posted at 3:34 AM EST (0834 GMT)

Nov. 17th, 2005 -- For its 35th anniversary, Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA, will introduce its 17th rollercoaster -- the tallest, fastest and longest Flying rollercoaster in the world -- which is slated for a Spring 2006 debut.

Dubbed Tatsu -- Japanese for "dragon" -- the 170-foot-tall coaster will strap riders in a prone position and send them soaring over a mountainous terrain at speeds of 62 mph along 3,602 feet of steel track. Riders will experience a 124-foot-tall "inverted pretzel loop" as part of the three-minute-long ride.

"We are the thrill park, and we are known for coasters," said Sue Carpenter, Magic Mountain's spokeswoman. The roller coaster, designed by Switzerland-based Bolliger & Mabillard, is among the "largest capital investments in recent years" at the park, she said.

Tatsu rollercoaster specifications:

Speed: 62 mph

Height: 170 feet

Elevation change: 263 feet

Track length: 3,602 feet

First drop: 111 feet

Inversions: 4

124-foot pretzel loop

103-foot flat spin

96-foot-tall zero-gravity roll

360-degree in-line roll (over the Revolution coaster)

Ride time: 3 1/2 minutes

Other: Dual loading platform for simulataneous boarding of two trains.

Capacity: 1,600 riders per hour

Visit L.A. Daily News for the complete and original article.

Visit the Six Flags Magic Mountain website for official press release, ride specifications and virtual rendering.