Kingda Ka
Location	Six Flags Great Adventure
Park section	The Golden Kingdom
Coordinates	40°08′23″N 74°26′5″W / 40.13972°N 74.43472°W / 40.13972; -74.43472Coordinates: 40°08′23″N 74°26′5″W / 40.13972°N 74.43472°W / 40.13972; -74.43472
Status	Operating
Opened	May 21, 2005 (2005-05-21)
Type	Steel - Launched
Manufacturer	Intamin
Designer	Werner Stengel
Model	Accelerator Coaster
Lift/launch system	Hydraulic launch
Height	456 ft (139 m)
Drop	418 ft (127 m)
Length	3,118 ft (950 m)
Max speed	128 mph (206 km/h)
Duration	0:28
Max vertical angle	90°
Capacity	1400 riders per hour
Height restriction	4 ft 6 in (137 cm)
Trains	Four trains, with five cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows (except for the last car), for a total of 18 riders per train.
Flash Pass Available
Kingda Ka at RCDB
Pictures of Kingda Ka at RCDB
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Kingda Ka is a steel accelerator roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, United States. It is the world's tallest roller coaster, and was the world's fastest until Formula Rossa opened in November 2010.^[1] The train is launched by a hydraulic launch mechanism to 128 miles per hour (206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds.^[2] At the end of the launch track, the train climbs the main top hat tower, reaching a height of 456 feet (139 m). Kingda Ka is 3,118 feet (950 m) long.^[3]

History[link]

Kingda Ka was introduced on September 29, 2004 at an event held for the media and coaster enthusiasts.^[4] It was revealed that the ride would be "the tallest and fastest roller coaster on earth", reaching 456 feet (139 m) and accelerating up to 128 miles per hour (206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds.^[5] Upon completion, Kingda Ka took both the "tallest" and "fastest" world records from the two-year-old Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Since Intamin designed both coasters they share a nearly-identical design and layout, differing only in theme and Kingda Ka's post-tower "camel hump" hill. On January 13, 2005, Kingda Ka was topped off at its 456-foot (139 m) height, ending its construction.^[6] It opened for the public on May 21, 2005, with a "media day" two days earlier.

During a test run with no passengers on June 6, 2005, a bolt failure caused damage to the launch cable; this resulted in the closure of Kingda Ka until August and a reconfiguration of the queue area.^[7] The ride was struck by lightning in early May 2009, necessitating extensive repairs. The ride was operational from May 31 to June 24, 2009, but closed for maintenance until August 21.^[8]

Major malfunctions[link]

2005: Problems with launch cable, engine and brake fins[link]

On June 6, 2005 (less than a month after the roller coaster's grand opening) a bolt failure caused the liner inside the trough through which the launch cable travels to come loose, creating friction on the cable which prevented the train from accelerating to the correct speed. The rubbing of the cable against the inside of the metal trough caused sparks and shards of metal to fly out from the bottom of the train. The engine, as designed, attempted to compensate by applying more force to the cable to attain the 128 miles per hour (206 km/h) launch speed.

Kingda Ka's tower

The magnetic brake fins located within the launch section of the track (designed to slow the train on its return to the launch area should it not have enough speed to cross the top-hat element) rise up into the braking position in a sequential pattern after the train passes over the fins in the lowered position. The fins are mounted on steel supports connected to actuators which raise and lower the fins into the desired position. The fins were out of sync with the launching train, since the timing pattern of the rising fins was faster than the accelerating train. The magnetic brakes began to slow the train in the launch area; the engine tried to compensate even more, dragging the train through the brake zones. The catch car released, but the train was still in the brake zone and came to a complete stop at the bottom of the hill.

This malfunction occurred during a test run, with no passengers aboard. Damage occurred to the launch cable (which was frayed and required replacement), engine (minor routine damage to seals) and brake fins (many of which also required replacement). The brake fins in the launch section are mounted to keep fast-moving trains from moving backward into the station; however, the fast-moving train being pulled forward caused an unexpected stress on a number of fins, which bent them forward. Not all the fins required replacement, but there were more damaged brake fins than Six Flags had replacements for; extra brake fins had to be ordered from the manufacturer, Intamin in Switzerland and the ride had to be re-inspected. Kingda Ka resumed testing on May 21, 2005; it reopened on August 4, with the queue area modified so it no longer ran under the launch track.^[7] The dark blue train was launched when the malfunction occurred; it was used for the rest of the season, but major problems (requiring replacement parts) were discovered when the train was inspected during the off-season. Consequently, this train remained disassembled throughout the 2006 season.

Before 2005's malfunction, Kingda Ka's queue area was much larger. It started at the main entrance arch, went under the launch track, traveled through two large switchback areas, and split into separate lines for each side of the station. Most of the entire line ran across the ride's infield. The modified main entrance to the station was previously the "flash pass" entrance.

[edit] 2009: Late-spring lightning strike

During the night of May 9–10, 2009 Kingda Ka was struck by lightning, suffering serious damage and extended downtime following the strike.^[9] The ride operated off and on May 9 and May 10, with a longer downtime than operating time. The park attempted to open the ride on May 16, but was unable to get it running properly. Great Adventure then announced that Kingda Ka was temporarily closed for maintenance. By May 20, it was announced that the ride would be down for an extended period. Six Flags Great Adventure ordered more new parts from Intamin, and the damage required complicated repairs. A "Screamscape" post mentioned that due to the nature of the repairs, Kingda Ka's launch would require a full test-and-adjust period and the ride would be closed until late spring or early summer. It was up and running as of May 31, 2009, but with more minor breakdowns than usual.

As of late June 2009 the ride was shut down for an extended period due to complications from the year's issues, claims of a blown valve, serious engine trouble and a wait for replacement parts.

Kingda Ka was up and running as of August 21, 2009. The announcement that the ride would be fully operational again for the 2010 season^[10] was made on the same day as Six Flags Inc.'s announcement of its Chapter-11 bankruptcy restructuring plan.

On July 8, 2010, problems again arose with the launch cable. The train was getting ready to launch when the cable failed, and the train was stranded near the station for over 50 minutes.^[11]

2011 breakdown[link]

Kingda Ka suffered unspecified damage shortly before Hurricane Irene. On Saturday, August 27, Six Flags Great Adventure did not open due to the approaching hurricane. While it is unknown whether additional damage occurred due to the storm, the coaster was damaged to the extent that it could not run before Irene.^[12] Kingda Ka remained closed until the start of the 2012 operating season on April 5.

The ride[link]

Theme[link]

Kingda Ka's entrance sign

Kingda Ka is themed as a mythical tiger, named for the 500 lb (230 kg) Golden Tabby Bengal tiger who lived in an adjacent exhibit before moving to the park's safari. The ride's sign and station have a Nepalese style. The queue line is surrounded by bamboo, which augments the jungle theme.^[13] Jungle music is played during the wait (and throughout the Golden Kingdom section of the park, which was built for the ride).

Ride experience[link]

After the train has been locked and checked, it moves slowly out of the station to the launch area. It passes through a switch track, which allows four trains (on two tracks) to load simultaneously. When the train is in position, the hydraulic launch mechanism accelerates the train from 0 to 128 miles per hour (0 to 206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds,^[2] pulling about 1.67 Gs. At the end of the launch track, the train climbs the main tower (or top hat), twisting 90 degrees to the left before reaching a height of 456 feet (139 m).^[3] The train then descends 418 feet (127 m) straight down through a 270-degree right-hand spiral. The train climbs the second hill of 129 feet (39 m), producing a moment of weightlessness before being smoothly brought to a stop by the magnetic brakes; it then makes a left-hand U-turn and enters the station. The ride lasts 28 seconds from the start of the launch.^[14][15]

The hydraulic launch motor is capable of producing 20,800 peak horsepower (15.5 MW). Because of the high speed and open nature of the trains, the ride will not operate in light rain (since rider contact with raindrops can cause discomfort).^[7]

Layout[link]

Kingda Ka's layout is nearly identical to Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point.^[16] The train dispatches the station and a brief message is played to the riders to: "arms down, head back, and hold on." Once the train is prepared to launch, its magnetic braking fins are lowered from the launch track. It then launches, accelerating to a speed of 128 mph (206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds. Shortly after reaching its maximum velocity, the train begins its ascent up a 90-degree incline, twisting 90 degrees counter-clockwise before climbing over the 456-foot (139 m) hill. Upon descending, the track twists 270 degrees before going over a 129-foot (39 m)-tall camelback hill into the brake run.^[14]

Station[link]

Kingda Ka's switch track at the station's exit

Kingda Ka's station has two parallel tracks, with switch tracks at the entrance and exit. Each of the station's tracks accommodates two trains, so each of the four trains has its own station. Each train loads and unloads at its own station, not going to any others. During operation, trains on one side are loaded while trains on the other side are launched. The system works efficiently if all four trains are running, and there is no significant delay in loading and checking the trains. It was not used in 2006, because only two trains were working that year. An employee directs riders in line to go to a particular side of the station, where they can choose to sit in the front or rear of the train.^[17] Two operators load, check and dispatch each train; another launches the trains. Kingda Ka's music is by Safri Duo; almost their entire Episode II album is played in the queue and station. The other is the remix version of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger", played by DJ Quicksilver. Both of these may be heard during the queue and in the station.^[18]

Trains[link]

Kingda Ka's four trains are color-coded for easy identification (green, dark blue, teal, and orange) and are numbered; the four colors are also used for the seats and restraints. Each train seats 18 people (2 per row). The rear car has one row, while the rest have two.^[19] The rear row of each car is positioned higher than its front row for better visibility.

The dark-blue train was being launched when 2005's major malfunction (see above) occurred. Problems stemming from this malfunction were discovered during the train's off-season rehab, removing it from service for the 2006 season. As a result, Kingda Ka only ran two trains that year. The teal and green trains ran from the beginning of the season until late July, with the teal and orange trains running for the rest of the season. Kingda Ka opened for the 2007 season with all four trains running.^[20]

Each of Kingda Ka's trains has a panel behind the last row of seats covering an extra row of seat mounts. The panels could be removed for the installation of additional seats in the future. This modification would increase the capacity of each train from 18 to 20, and the hourly capacity of the coaster from 1400 to 1600 riders per hour. Kingda Ka's station is prepared for this modification, with entrance gates for the currently-nonexistent row of seats.^[21]

Seat restraints[link]

Kingda Ka's seats with the restraints down

Kingda Ka's over-the-shoulder restraint system consists of a thick, rigid lap bar and two thin, flexible over-the-shoulder restraints. Because the over-the-shoulder portions of the restraint are not rigid, the hand grips are mounted to the lap bar. The flexible over-the-shoulder restraints were later replaced by non-flexible shoulder restraints.

These restraints use a locking system (rather than a ratchet), which allows them to be pulled down to any position; when locked, they can move down but not up. In contrast, a ratchet-based restraint locks at each notch, and may be too loose or uncomfortably tight. Kingda Ka's restraints are also held down by a belt, in case the main locking system fails. To speed loading, riders are asked to secure their own restraints if possible.

Rollbacks, brake failures and stalls[link]

Kingda Ka rollback warning sign

A train may sometimes experience rollback. A rollback occurs when the train fails to go over the top of the tower and descend on the other side. The train instead reaches as high on the tower as it can go (in most cases to the very top) and rolls back. Kingda Ka includes retractable magnetic brakes on its launch track to prevent a train rolling backward down the tower.^[22] Rollbacks are more common in breezy weather (or just after wet weather), and are frequent during safety tests to ensure all brakes on the runway are in working condition. Many riders enjoy a rollback, since they are treated to another launch. Rarer than a rollback (because the train must be perfectly balanced for it to happen) is for the train to "stall" (or stop) at the top of the lift. This is extremely rare, but there is an elevator for workers to reach the support tower and push the train (usually down the descent side).

It is hard to know exactly when Kingda Ka's launch will occur. When the signal to launch is given, the train rolls back slightly (to engage the catch car) and the brakes on the launch track retract. Occasionally there will be a voice that says "arms down, head back, and hold on". The launch will occur five seconds after the hissing sound of the brake fins retracting or the warning voice. Kingda Ka's horn previously sounded before each launch,^[22] but it was silenced due to noise complaints from nearby residents; the horn now sounds only when Kingda Ka first launches after being idle for a length of time. Its launch mechanism is capable of launching a train every 30 seconds, for a capacity of 1400 riders per hour.

Awards[link]

Records[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kingda Ka

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