Parachute Training Center: Edwards AFB Jump Tower
| Parachute Training Center: Edwards AFB Jump Tower | |
|---|---|
 The tower pictured in 2012, with the then-new Slingshot ride. | |
| Six Flags Great Adventure | |
| Area | Boardwalk |
| Status | Closed |
| Opening date | April 8, 1978 (Six Flags Over Mid-America) June 9, 1983 (Six Flags Great Adventure) |
| Closing date | 2023 |
| Ride statistics | |
| Manufacturer | Intamin |
| Model | Parachute Tower 1200 |
| Height | 250 ft (76 m) |
| Capacity | 12 riders per hour |
| Vehicle type | Parachute |
| Vehicles | Parachutes |
Parachute Training Center: Edwards AFB Jump Tower (originally known as Parachuter's Perch) is a 250-foot-tall Intamin Parachute Drop ride that operated at Six Flags Great Adventure, and is located in the Boardwalk section of the park. It opened in 1983 as Parachuter's Perch. The ride closed by the end of the 2022 season. The tower's height made it a prominent icon in the park's skyline for 40 years.[1]
History
[edit]The ride originally opened on April 8, 1978, as the Sky Chuter at Six Flags Over Mid-America (Now Six Flags St. Louis), the ride closed in 1982, disassembled, and was relocated to Six Flags Great Adventure, where it was reassembled and opened on June 9, 1983.
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Originally painted fully white when it first opened; in 1994, the ride was repainted white, with bands of red added around the bolt rings, as well as the orange and yellow parachutes being replaced by red, white and blue colored parachutes. In 1996, the ride's name Parachuter's Perch was also rebranded as the Parachute Training Center - Edwards Air Force Base Jump Tower, as a tie-in to The Right Stuff: Mach 1 Adventure, a nearby flight simulator.
From 1983 to 2005, it was the tallest ride in the state of New Jersey until being surpassed by the opening of the parks own Kingda Ka in 2005.
In the fall of 2009, the ride received a new paint-job that included a yellow, orange, red and blue paint-scheme. The red, white and blue colored parachutes were replaced with bi-color yellow and white, blue and white, red and white, and orange and white parachutes.
Closure
[edit]In 2023, the ride page was removed from the official Six Flags Great Adventure website. In 2023, it was announced by Six Flags Great Adventure, that the ride would be removed.[2][3][4]
The ride was standing but not operating for the 2023 season, and early 2024 season.
In November 2024, it was announced that the Kingda Ka, along with Twister, and the Parachute Training Center tower would be demolished. Permits for the demolition of the ride were filed by Six Flags Great Adventure, shown in the Jackson Township, NJ page set for November 2024.[4][5]
With the ride being open for 40 years, after the demolition of the Texas Chute Out at Six Flags Over Texas in 2012, and Great Gasp's removal at Six Flags Over Georgia in 2005, and the closure of the Sky Flower at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo, Japan, it remains the last remaining Intamin parachute tower in the world.[1][6][7][8]
See also
[edit]- 2024 in amusement parks
- Texas Chute Out, a similar ride found at Six Flags Over Texas
- Great Gasp, a similar ride found at Six Flags Over Georgia
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Parachuter's Perch At Six Flags Great Adventure". www.greatadventurehistory.com.
- ^ Zarrow, Dan (February 14, 2023). "This classic Great Adventure ride rumored to be closed for good". New Jersey 101.5.
- ^ Davis, Mike. "Parachute ride at Six Flags Great Adventure to be removed". Asbury Park Press.
- ^ a b Jackson, N.J. (November 14, 2024). "Major Investment Heading for Six Flags Great Adventure". sixflags.com.
- ^ Kausch, Katie (November 14, 2024). "Kingda Ka closed to make way for 'record-breaking' mystery ride at Six Flags Great Adventure". nj.com.
- ^ Schneider, Jeremy (November 15, 2024). "Six Flags' botched roller coaster closure is an insult to Kingda Ka lovers everywhere | Opinion". nj.com.
- ^ Rotuno-Johnson, Michelle (November 13, 2024). "3 Rides To Be Demolished At Six Flags Great Adventure: Report". Patch.
- ^ Rousselle, Christine (November 14, 2024). "Six Flags shuts down Kingda Ka roller coaster as fans sound off: 'Heartbreaking and insulting'". New York Post.
Primary sources
[edit]- Great Adventure History, full of information of Parachuter's Perch