Opened: 19__-1982, 1986
Manufactured By: Bisch-Rocco Max Height: 25 feet Number of Planes: 10
Height Requirement: Children under 46" must be accompanied by responsible person.
RIDE EXPERIENCE
On this classic ride, the planes swing freely as they rotate clockwise. The rider controls the plane by moving the fin to the left or right.
RIDE HISTORY & INFO
This ride was originally named Flying Jets and was located on the south side of the Roller Coaster station where Lagoon Music Theater and an eating area has been since 1982. Below, you'll see an old picture of the Flying Jets in its original location. The ride was moved (probably at the end of the 1981 season) to a location further south between what is now Corn Dog Corner and Musik Express. The tall, pyramid-shaped bench in front of Corn Dog Corner was where the center of the ride was and actually disguises the power panel used for the ride. It seems that it was in this spot just for 1982. In that season, Space Scrambler and Musik Express were about where Centennial Screamer is and Paratrooper was basically where the Shooting Water game building is now. In 1983, Colossus Fire Dragon was installed where it now stands, expanding the area and causing the Flying Aces to be removed from the park for good - or at least for a few years. Apparently, the ride has many fans. Enough to convince Lagoon to bring it out of retirement in 1986 when it was re-installed on the circular plot of ground where The Rocket is now. When The Rocket opened, Flying Aces was moved to the east, where they now stand just west of the Meadow Pavilion. When the planes were painted in a new color scheme in 2001, the names of the planes (such as Chris Robin, Stearman P.T.17, Piper Cub and Phantom) were removed completely. Many fans of the ride once again complained to Lagoon about this and they were repainted in 2002 "much like they used to be, and gave them names again". They don't look the same though, and they have completely different names.
Lagoon's Flying Aces is one of only two Flying Scooters that turn clockwise. The other is the Flyer in Knoebel's Amusement Park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania.
RIDE MEMORIES
An anonymous Farmington Star visitor said:
"In the sixties and seventies when I was growing up, the Flying Aces were right next to the white roller coaster where the 'Signatures' terrace theatre [Ed: Lagoon Music Theatre] is now. It was set up in close proximity with the trees and shrubs so that it always seemed you would fly into them! Of course, you didn't because they had been trimmed just out of reach."
Steve from Moreno Valley, CA has a similar memory:
"I also remember when the Flying Aces were located to the left of the Roller Coaster and near the miniature car ride [Speedway Senior]. Originally the Flying Aces were known as The Jets and were all painted red and white. It seems they changed to the Flying Aces around 1970. I also remember flying directly towards the trees (that were carefully trimmed to nearly touch the bottom of the vehicles)."
PHOTOS
Here is an image from a 1987 video (sent by FS Member, goldbadger). Notice all the open space in the background. You can see the race track, too.
Photo: Frontier Village ArchivesHere's what the ride looked like as the Flying Jets near Roller Coaster.
Thanks to "aparkfan" and Sid for additional info on this ride.
Photo: © 2001-2005