The Screamin Eagle took its first flight with TJ and Alexis Arie as the first passengers on Friday February 4th. The Screamin’ Eagle is now open to the public and is included in the Rides or Go Kart armband.

From Fun Spot USA's blog: the first lucky riders of the Screamin' Eagle

Fun Spot USA is the larger of the two Fun Spot parks in the Orlando area. The park and the scooter are located in Kissimmee along US 192, which is also home to the 300-foot tall Skycoaster. The ride takes the former spot of the Cobra flat ride.

Installation of the ride was quick, as according to a blog post the ride was delivered in late January and went from arrival to operation in just about a week. Their blog also has a few pictures of the unassembled ride. In December the park had announced it purchased the ride during the annual IAAPA trade show held in November. As you can see, the sail graphics are quite stunning, melding the classic image of an eagles head found on several scooters with the flames you might find on a muscle car (or maybe an Air Crow). This scooter is the first new Larson installation since the Dragon Flyer opened at Castle Park in 2009.

Since none of the Flyer Addicts team has plans to travel to Florida soon, we’re looking for help from our fellow addicts. Are you going to Orlando for Spring Break? The ACE Spring-Con (they will be next door at Old Town as part of the itinerary)? Help us by filing a trip report…How does it fly? Any ride policies? Pictures or Video? We’ll feature your information right here on our research blog.

The video shows Jack Larimore and Chris Clark during 10-minute cycles on the scooter after a rain storm cleared out the small park of patrons just before close.

It also visually shows 2 of the scooter modifications previously described in our first article about the Butterfly. View that article here.

View on this video and others on in HD and full screen on Youtube: Flyer Addicts Invade Burns Park Funland (2010)

Entrance to Funland at Burns Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas

We first posted some pictures and a simple video of our visit on the Flyer Addicts Anonymous Facebook page. (Hint, click here to like us…really really like us.) Now, the full story…

History

Funland is actually a small municipally-owned amusement park inside the much larger Burns Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas. When it opened in 1958 as Joyland, the park was a private venture by two local businessmen – Jess Woods and Robert Starkey. It opened on July 21 of that year with 5 kiddie rides. From the 1970s through 2001, the park was owned by Lloyd “Mokey” Choate Sr. and his Star Amusements. Since then the park and its 12 rides including a Train, Tilt-a-Whirl and Scrambler, have been owned and operated under the direction of North Little Rock Parks & Recreation. Of course, the gem of the park is their Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter.

An operating Butterfly is the focal point of the park.

Flyer Addicts first learned of this scooter in 2004, when NAPHA (National Amusement Park Historical Association) visited the park as part of their “Tale of Two Cities” event. But it wasn’t until 2010 that we were able to talk with Park Manager Travis Young and schedule a tour of the park with Facility Leader Scott Pennington. It was a very steamy 102 degrees when we pulled up. We took a quick look at the scooter and met with Scott who brought us into the park office to look over some historical documents. It was then that a powerful thunderstorm hit the area. We waited for almost an hour, in hopes the storm would clear and the Butterfly could be opened for rides. Luckily, it did.

An Unusual Scooter

Although we could not find any documentation, locals say the Flying Scooter has been at the park since the 70s, possibly longer. But this is not your ordinary 8-tub portable Flying Scooter. Some aftermarket adjustments have been made – some old, some new.

A chain-driven Flying Scooter? Yes.

Start with the drive mechanism. We know that some very early models were tire driven around a metal rim at the top of the structure (like Lake Compounce’s park model until 2007) or at the base of the structure (like Seabreeze’s portable model). But most models are powered by a motor connected to a self-contained gearbox in the center of the scooter structure. This one however, has an aftermarket chain mechanism that bypasses the standard gearbox and is rotated by the drive axle of an old truck. The new mechanism also uses the truck’s drum braking system to quickly slow the ride at the end of the cycle. We weren’t entirely surprised by this, as we had seen something similar in the schematics for building your own knock-off Flying Scooter that were sold by A.K. Brill during the 1950s.

Factory or Aftermarket? The ability to spin your tub without moving.

Next, check out how the tub connects to the cables. With most scooters both cables are attached directly to the top of the tub structure at separate connection points, one in front of the other. One reason, presumably, is as a backup should one cable connection fail. That design also makes it more difficult for the tub to twist sideways. With the Butterfly’s connection, both cables are not only connected to the same double eye hook, but the connection to the tub is on a swivel – allowing one to completely rotate the tub without twisting the cables. When we asked Alvin G. Bisch if he believed it was his father’s design, he highly doubted it.

Custom cut and sewn truck tarps cover the wings

Finally, the material coving each tub’s wing is an object of pride by the park’s staff. Via phone, Funland Manager Travis Young explained to us that the park recently reupholstered all the wings using a heavy-duty tarp material strung across the original internal metal structure. The tarps were cut, sewn and affixed using Velco straps  - all at a cost of about $50 per tub. The result is a lightweight wing that we can only assume will hold up for many years to come.

Addict Antics

The big question we had, after seeing all the differences in this Flying Scooter, was….how does she fly? Well, we were pleasantly surprised when Facility Leader Scott Pennington powered up the Butterfly for some extended ride cycles. First, Jack Larimore tried the only tub missing its restrictor chain. After his cycle, he reported that it was a little harder to control because of its free-twisting ability. He soon realized that large wing movements were adding to the problem, and the restrictor chain actually helped us keep the tub from twisting and disturbing the rhythm used to create the cable slack needed to make some noise. The result – some of the best aerial acrobatics and snapping seen this side of the Elysburg or Conneaut Lake.

Jack impresses the locals on the Butterfly

After analyzing the first cycles, Addicts Chris and Jack took additional rides on the scooter to perfect the process that even impressed ride operators who were allowed to take their breaks on the ride with us. We were even joined by a local, unofficial Flyer Addict, who brought his family out for a Sunday afternoon snapping session himself. He said he’d been enjoying this scooter since his youth in the 1970s. Our conclusion: For a portable model, this scooter was easier to snap than most – comparable to the portables at Stricker’s Grove or Conneaut Lake. And, because seeing is believing…we’re also editing a video to illustrate some of the action that afternoon. Look for it later in the week right here on flyeraddicts.com.

Plan Your Visit

If you’re planning a visit this summer, remember to check their website at http://www.nlrpr.org/parks/funland.php or give them a call at 501-753-7307. For 2011, hours appear to be Saturdays from 10a.m.-7p.m and Sundays 1p.m.-6p.m. The Butterfly (and other adult rides) require 2 tickets, or $2.00 per ride. Click over to Google Maps for directions on your roadtrip. Tell them you’re a Flyer Addict!

Picture Gallery

Panorama of Butterfly ride area (Click to enlarge).

You see, while many park and ride enthusiasts get mixed up in this crazy hobby during their teenage years, I (Chris) waited until the late nineties and my late-twenties to catch the bug. While I was able to enjoy the boom in coasters during the beginning of the millennium, there were dozens of classic amusement parks that were missed by just a few years. Listed in the book were parks of my youth as well, including Sauzer’s Kiddieland in Schererville, Indiana

But, even more interesting was the “ride census” which aimed to count not only roller coasters, but Scramblers, Trabants, Twisters and – yes – Flying Scooters.

James W. Reed's Amusement Park Guidebook-1987 Edition

According to the book, called Amusement Park Guidebook, there were 22 Flying Scooters were running that year. We beg to differ slightly, but understand the complications of compiling such a list in the time before the Internet. Our notes after the list:

NAME OF PARK – LOCATION
1. ADVENTURELAND – DES MOINES, IA
2. AMERICANA AMUSEMENT PARK – MIDDLETOWN, OH
3. BLAND’S PARK (Now Del Grasso) – TIPTON, PA
4. BOBLO ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK – DETROIT, MI
5. CANOBIE LAKE PARK – SALEM, NH
6. CLEMENTON LAKE PARK – CLEMENTON, NJ
7. ELDRIDGE PARK – ELMIRA, N
8. ERIEVIEW PARK “RIDES & SLIDES” – GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE, OH
9. FANTASY FARM PARK – MIDDLETOWN, OH
10. FUN JUNCTION – GRAND JUNCTION, CO
11. FUN SPOT – ANGOLA, IN
12. GEAUGA LAKE – AURORA, OH
13. HOLIDAY WORLD – SANTA CLAUS, IN
14. KINGS DOMINION – DOSWELL, VA
15. KINGS ISLAND – KINGS ISLAND, OH
16. KNOEBELS AMUSEMENT RESORT – ELYSBURG, PA
17. LAGOON AND PIONEER VILLAGE – FARMINGTON, UT
18. LAKESIDE AMUSEMENT PARK – DENVER, CO
19. LINCOLN PARK – NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA
20. MOUNTAIN PARK – HOLYOKE, MA
21. OLD INDIANA FUN PARK – THORNTOWN, IN
22. SEABREEZE PARK – ROCHESTER, NY

Note that all of these are Bisch-Rocco models, as the first Larson manufactured model did not debut until 2002. Scooters not mentioned in the book, but thought to be in operation in 1987 include Burns Park Funland (North Little Rock, AR), Rye Playland (Rye, NY) and Gulf Shores Amusement Park (Gulf Shores, AL). Also, knock Fantasy Farm off the above list as our research shows that scooter was sold to Fun Spot prior to the closing of Fantasy Farm. Timelines match as this book shows the Fun Spot scooter “New for 1987.”

We’re now looking for the 1982 and 1977 editions of the book to further our research.

And what better place to meet up with some fellow addicts than Stricker’s Grove just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. Stricker’s is open to the public just a few days a year and is home to an original Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter.

Serial #4332-23

From the scooter’s serial plate, we believe this 8-car portable scooter was built in 1943. While it has resided at Stricker’s Grove since 1994, we’ve back-tracked this flying scooter to Columbian Park in Lafayette, Indiana and the Rocco Family’s own Playland Park, which operated in suburban Chicago from 1953 to 1979.

Now, for those who were unable to join us this past Sunday, here’s a quick video showing some of the aerial manouvers and good times had by dozens of fans of the Bisch-Rocco Flying Scooter.

Got that Flying Scooter itch now? You can still visit Stricker’s Grove on their two remaining 2009 Public Days – Labor Day Monday (September 7th) and Customer Appreciation Day (Sunday, October 11th). More info at www.strickersgrove.com

Found in the April 8, 1950 issue of "The Billboard"

Rocky Glen Park opened in 1886 and closed in 1987.  Rocky Glenn, Rocky Glen Park, Sterling’s Rocky Glen, Ghost Town in the Glen and New Rocky Glen are just a few names the park went by in its 101 year history.

This article from the The Pittston Dispatch states that Ben Sterling operated the park for 47 years.  He started at the park as a concessionaire in 1924.  He purchased a section of the park in 1936 and acquired the entire park in 1950.   A Pennsylvania State Historical Marker stands at the site of the park today.

RCDB states that Rocky Glen operated for a time as two parks separated by a concrete wall after a falling out between partners.  A fire in 1950 destroyed several attractions.

Our research has produced many postcards and photos of the park, but little to nothing about this set of Flying Scooters.  Please leave a comment if you have any additional information or photos you would like to donate to our archive.

Posted by Flyer Addict Jack

The news story can be found here.

You can just see the tail of one of the Screaming Eagle tubs at the very left of this picture.

The Screaming Eagle, among other rides still sit unprotected in a field awaiting their fate.  The Screaming Eagle is the Larson set of scooters that were originally installed at Wild West World in 2007.

But recently, the book on Six Flags Over Georgia (link goes to Amazon with book preview) not only gave us a date of installation for a set of scooters, it prompted the exclamation “What the heck is that!” from several flyer fans.

From the Arcadia book Six Flags Over Georgia

The Phlying Phlurpus was apparently installed in 1974, as part of the newly added Cotton States Exposition area of the park. While no concrete date of removal is known, it was probably in the early 80s.

As you can see from the picture, 10 standard Bisch-Rocco box-style are suspended from a non-Bisch-Rocco frame. In addition, the tubs appear to have rubber feet attached to their bottoms, leading us to believe the center structure lowers and the tubs touch the ground for loading and unloading.

So, this brings up many questions….

Was this built in-house from spare parts? What is that center stucture from? Where did the tubs come from? Is that snappable?

During a recent ACE event, several amusement fans and experts lent their best ideas:

• a Huss Flying Dutchmann (think the Wooden Shoes at Kentucky Kingdom)
• a modified Zierer Waveswinger (can’t tell from the picture if the structure tilts)
• an over-adorned Chance Yo-Yo (can’t find any pictures that show a base like that pictured)

So, all you Six Flags Over Georgia experts…help us out. Help us discover what a Phlying Phlurpus really is! We await your email at faa@flyeraddicts.com

Jantzen Beach Park (rcdb link) (Park 1928 to 1969) installed a flying scooter “near the Magic House” for the 1940 season. It is unknown what model the park, which was near Portland Oregon, received.

A June 1 Billboard article says the new ride helped contribute to an 18% increase in park revenue over the first few weeks.

Also interesting to note is that the scooter will be operated by Fred Mortensen, an former champ heavy-weight wrestler. Fred and his wife also staged wrestling shows in the park during the season.

Further research has not found additional information on the scooter. If you can help us with futher information, including scooter model or how long the scooter resided at the park, please let us know at faa@flyeraddicts.com

Our first trip we covered about 30 issues, and instantly found useful info.

• From the April 16, 1940 issue; Alvin Bisch himself was traveling from Chicago to Kennywood Park and Glen Echo Park to oversee the installation of their new scooters!
• A week later, in the April 23rd issue, the Kennywood scooter was identified as the “Dipsy Doodle”.

This first-hand source confirmed facts already in our database. We also know that Kennywood’s 9-tub portable scooter was so popular that it was later replaced by the larger 10-car park model.

Have more info for us? Please email us at faa@flyeraddicts.com