Floater and ejector airtime

[ThomVD]

I'm still not entirely sure about the two. The only big airtime machines I've ridden are Goliath in Walibi Holland and Silver Star. I totally love Goliath's first airtime hill in the front. The feeling of flying out of my seat on the top of the hill is amazing to me. I don't get the same feeling on the first airtime hill in the back. The airtime starts only down the drop and it just doesn't give me the same sense of flying. I also love the first hill more than the last 3 bunny hops.

Now Silver Star's first two hills in the front seat felt very similar to Goliath's first hill in the front. Again, I don't like those hills as much in the back as in the front. And again, I didn't like the rest of the hills as much as the first two. Basically, I prefered the entire ride in the front, except for the first drop and the drop after the MCBR. And maybe it also has to do with the steepness and height of the hills? Or the view? So which kind of airtime do I like better? I'd think floater airtime, but then again, is Goliath's first airtime hill in the front classified as floater? If it is, I know for sure which one I like more, but right now I'm still a bit confused.

 

[Hyde]

Floater airtime can be found on airtime hills that have a more gradual change in steepness. Riders experience an airtime sensation of floating out of their seat, hence the name. It is predominantly found on B&M Hyper roller coasters that feature large, sweeping hills, such as Silver Star.

Ejector airtime is found on steeper airtime hills that feature a quicker transition. The rider sensation is being launched out of your seats, or ejected, hence the name. Intamin has had a knack for giving this type of airtime experience.

As you have discovered, the airtime experienced in the front and back of a train can vary between floater and ejector. This boils down to simple physical principles, such as where you are located when the ride accelerates and decelerates. Imagine a train going over a hill - while the riders in the front of the train will be over the hill when the train gains speeds, riders in the back of the train still have yet to crest over the hill.

As for what is best? That depends on the rider preference. If you ask me however, I think there is no wrong way to experience airtime.

 

[furie]

The best way I can think of describing the difference is that ejector is literally that, if you weren't restrained, you would be flung out of the train to your death.

Floater is where you follow the coaster naturally, but a fraction behind it, so you may eventually end up out of sync as the coaster is accelerating faster than you, but really, you'd probably still survive.

Technically, I think floater starts at anything under 1G to about -.5G and that's where ejector starts. Though that's really just a guess, I don't have exact figures.

 

[ThomVD]

I get that, but with that logic Silver Star also has ejector airtime, because no way I would've survived the first hills without restraints. I did actually get lifted in my lapbar, the only difference with for example Goliath's last bunny hops is that it lasts longer (talking about front seat here).

With your description of floater airtime, I think the GCI woodies I've been on fit in that category, but not Silver Star. That's why I'm confused.

 

[furie]

To be honest, I think you just got an incredible run on Silver Star :lol:

I had a superb run on it, but it was definitely floater (I was out of my seat the whole way down). I would have come out of the train, as it accelerated away from down faster than I did, but it didn't throw me forwards at the top of the hills which tends to signify ejector.

I'd have to draw a diagram, and I can't :lol:

 

[rtotheizzo17]

Dont question it, just enjoy the airtime.

 

[BBH]

Floater airtime is anywhere from 0.2G—-0.8G, and you are, in a way, lifted out of your seat and suspended in midair, presuming you have enough room in the restraint. Any G-forces below that, especially lesser than -1G, that's when ejector airtime kicks in, when you are completely thrown up out of your seat and into the restraint.

There's certainly nothing wrong with either of them, though.

 

[caffeine_demon]

Dont question it, just enjoy the airtime.

Ding ding! If silver star and skyrush were next to each other. I'd happiily ride em both all week!

 

[therick311]

I really enjoy good prolonged floater air. I had one really good back seat ride on Mamba this year. I started to feel the float just before the last car reached the top of the first airtime hill, and I felt weightless all the way down to the bottom. Unfortunately, I didn't get quite as much air on any re-rides, so the conditions must have been just right. But, for those few seconds it was pure bliss.

 

[D1993]

I love all sorts of airtime (duh), but personally there is nothing I love more then actually rising out of your seat quite a bit ie B&M hypers, due to the lack of seatbelts.
Intamin airtime is great, but you are always pretty much stapled and kept bolted into your seat, because its usually some pretty crazy stuff.
I've had some rides on Diamondback that have been literally terrifying because ride ops didn't push down a lot on my clamshell and I had a nice bit of space. Personally, there is nothing more exhilarating then flying out of your seat, LITERALLY.