Universal Studios Awarded Patent for a New Flying Simulator Could be a Game Changer for Flying Theaters

Universal Studios was awarded on May 9, 2017 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office a new patent for a new Flying Simulator Design. What? Another flying theater? Yes, but as you'll see this one could be a game changer in the world of flying theaters  Below, some excerpts from the patent text as well as the patent pictures. The full Universal patent page is HERE.

So, according to the patent: "The flying simulator ride includes a track and a bogie coupled to the track. The flying simulator ride also includes a rotator ring and a plurality of cables suspending the rotator ring from the bogie such that the rotator ring is capable of rotating with respect to the track and such that the rotator ring is capable of motion in six degrees of freedom. The flying simulator ride also includes a passenger support system suspended from the rotator ring. The passenger support system includes a first passenger support unit; and a second passenger support unit, wherein at least one of the first passenger support unit or the second passenger support unit are configured to move relative to one another to assume a stacked configuration and a loading configuration, wherein a distance between the rotator ring and the first passenger support unit is decreased in the stacked configuration relative to the loading configuration."

"In accordance with another embodiment, a flying simulator ride assembly is provided. The flying simulator ride assembly includes a bogie configured to move along a track; a motion base; and a plurality of cables suspending the motion base from cable control assemblies coupled to the bogie to permit the motion base to move with six degrees of freedom. The flying simulator ride assembly also includes an extending portion fixedly coupled to the motion base and extending away from the bogie; and a passenger support system coupled to the extending portion. The passenger support system includes a first passenger row; a second passenger row; and a support coupled to the extending portion and the first passenger row and the second passenger row, wherein the support is capable of rotating with respect to the extending portion to change a position of one or more of the first passenger row or the second passenger row relative to the motion base."

If you're not sure that you understood everything from this patent description, that's normal. The way patents description are written is always a bit abstruse but thanks to the patent drawings we can at least understand that guests will stand up and not being sit as they are for instance in Soaring. There is more, of course, but even only this would be a game changer in the sensation of flying that flying theaters are supposed to provide.

Pictures: cooyright Universal Studios

Europa Park Announces "Project V", Flying Theater Attraction to Open in 2017

Europa Park announced yesterday its big "major" attraction for 2017, and it's a flying theater ride like "Soaring" with two flying theaters and a capacity of 1400 guests per hour! The press release, pictures and videos below tells you more about it. It will be the second flying theater attraction to open in Europe in the next months - with the one at the Futuroscope opening this December - and i still can't believe that Disneyland Paris missed to be the first one to open a "Soaring" attraction when they could have done it since ten years ...if the WDC would have been willing to give DLP the money to build it.

Europa Park press release: "The dream of flying will become true! From 29 September 2016, visitors to Germany’s largest theme park can discover much more about the new major attraction – the largest ‘Flying Theater’ in Europe. In the newly opened Preview Center in the German Alley, numerous models and images give an informative insight into the most expensive individual attraction in the history of Europa-Park. Project V will be completed during the course of the 2017 season and will whisk its passengers away into the wonderful world of the aviation pioneers Egbert and Kaspar Eulenstein. After a tour through the impressive facilities, the command is given in the theatre halls: Fasten your seatbelts and be ready for take-off!



The Eulenstein brothers, both scientists, were fascinated by flying machines from an early age. Their lives were dominated by sketches, studies and experiments with the aim of taking flight themselves one day. In their laboratory no stone was left unturned to make their childhood dream become reality: To fly as free as a bird, at any time and wherever the wind carries them.



The major attraction, which is currently being built under the working title of Project V, will allow visitors to be part of the technical achievements of the aviation pioneers. The 140 passengers spectacularly glide through the air in the two theatres in chairlift-style gondolas. On the 21 meter screens guests will admire visuals from landscapes and metropolises in Europe, which are co-produced by MackMedia and Ambient Entertainment. Special effects such as wind and water will create an intense atmosphere in the 16 meter high domes – providing for a very real and breathtaking feeling of flying.



Largest Flying Theater’ in Europe

Numerous models, videos, pictures, illustrations, and text panels in the Preview Center, also christened the ‘Mack Bank’, provide a deep insight into the new major attraction. Project V is the most phenomenal attraction of its kind in Europe. “With this great investment, we are convinced that we will present our guests with a huge hit”, said Europa-Park owner Roland Mack. “The experience factor will increase yet again with this unique attraction. “In the ‘Flying Theater’ a maximum of 1,400 people per hour can look forward to a breathtaking film, which MackMedia has produced in collaboration with Ambient Entertainment and which shows a spectacular flight over our continent”, added Michael Mack, managing director of MackMedia.

Highly technological camera systems that are unique in Europe were mounted on helicopters and drones and captured sensational footage in the highest quality. Best sound quality in the two theatres is guaranteed by a state of the art surround sound system by IOSONO, allowing to customise the sound to each individual gondola.

Europa Park released three videos showing the making-of "Project V", one about its architecture, one about the storytelling, and one about the movie making. Plenty of concept-arts to see in the videos!










Project V is the first building block of the ‘Adventure Club of Europe’ with which visitors to Europa-Park will be able to discover and experience a whole range of adventures." More to see and read on the Project V website HERE.

Pictures and videos: copyright Europa Park