When I first learnt I would get the chance try out Ferrari World’s latest world record-breaking roller coaster, Flying Aces, the 10-year-old boy inside of me jumped for joy.
Here was a chance to rekindle the unbridled joy of being strapped into a machine that would achieve acceleration, G forces and turns my car could only dream about.
As a child I couldn’t get enough of thrill rides and sought them out in each place I was raised – Hili Fun City in the UAE, Sinbad amusement park in Egypt, Alton Towers in the UK and Six Flags in the US.
But as the launch date of Flying Aces neared, my much older and slightly wiser self began to realise it had been more than 15 years since my last amusement-park ride.
This was disconcerting, as it is well documented that as we age our tolerance for rides begins to diminish, and with the new ride promising to break three world records I thought it prudent to test my current roller coaster stamina.
The child within took hold again and convinced me the best way to achieve this was to ride the fastest roller coaster in the world, also at Ferrari World.
After not only surviving but loving a ride which took me from zero to 240 kilometres per hour in under five seconds with up to 4.8Gs of force with little more than a temporary bout of dizziness, my worries disappeared.
But nothing could prepare me for the unique experience the latest attraction at Yas Island’s theme park, which began well before being strapped in.
Rather than making visitors wait in an endless monotonous maze of metal railings, Flying Aces’ queue takes you through a hangar building, barracks, warehouse and radio room, which all tell the story and background of the ride’s inspiration – the Italian aviator who came up with Ferrari’s prancing horse emblem, which he painted on the side of his bi-plane during the First World War.
At no time during the wait was I aware of what was to come as the roller coaster and its accompanying screams were hidden behind closed doors.
Once revealed, the bi-plane design of the roller coaster was made apparent, and unlike any other roller coaster I had seen, this one provided options to have your feet grounded on the inner seats or letting them dangle in mid-air.
The inner kid obviously chose the latter.
Off came my headgear, the contents of my pocket and my sandals, which would have surely been kicked off in pure joy if not from the forces generated by the ride itself.
The adult within was shocked back to his senses by the unsettling feeling of only having his waist strapped down rather than his shoulders. But there was no turning back.
The element of surprise continued even while strapped in as the roller coaster track was hidden behind sliding doors until the last moment. Like a hooded falcon, I revelled in the bliss of the ignorance for that split second.
However, as soon as the gates opened, events started to unfold rapidly. The initial incline was rapid and steep.
Unlike most rides, which give you time to ponder the ride you are about to experience on the slow and steady beginning, Flying Aces’ initial steep and rapid incline allows no time for reflection.
Within seconds I felt the first of 10 zero-G moments, followed by the sensation that I had jumped off the Burj Khalifa.
Tears – I am still not sure whether they were of joy or fear – began to run to the back of my head at the bottom of the initial drop as we built up speed for the second world record in quick succession.
And we would need every bit of acceleration to climb the tallest non-inverted loop in the world.
Not satisfied with just having a monstrous 17-storey climb, designers of Flying Aces included a barrel roll at the top. It provided some relief as it flipped you back upright, but quickly took back that instant of comfort when it twisted you back upside down in preparation for the 52-metre drop.
The barrel roll was just one of the many simulated bi-plane manoeuvres, which included numerous, quick 90-degree twists and turns.
As the ride progressed and my fears began to dissipate, I was able to raise my hands in submission to the ride. But my confidence, and arms, were quickly lowered by an unexpected final inversion right at the end.
Despite the twists and turns, at no times did the smooth ride feel jolty.
But the challenge of writing this while still slightly dizzy makes me think perhaps I should have waited longer than five minutes to get right back on Flying Aces again.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae
