TheEnterprise is anamusement ride, manufactured primarily byHUSS Park Attractions andAnton Schwarzkopf beginning in 1972.[1] The HUSS ride was an adaptation and improvement of a design produced earlier that year bySchwarzkopf, with an increased passenger capacity.[1] Despite not owning the original incarnation of the ride, HUSS was issued thepatent.[1]
Although Schwarzkopf was the first to build the more standard Enterprise, the overall design was actually predated by another ride, thePassat, which first opened in 1964.[2] This is only considered a precursor, however, as the mechanism used to lift the arm up and down as well as the overall look of the ride is much different from a typical Enterprise.
The ride is named afterUSSEnterprise from the TV seriesStar Trek. The backdrop is decorated with space-themed art and a silhouette of the starshipEnterprise.
Enterprises are manufactured by HUSS, Schwarzkopf, and Heinz Fähtz; all sharing the name Enterprise. Both trailer and park versions have been created and are in use.
In 2015, Italian manufacturerZamperla introduced the Endeavour, a new ride billed as being based on the Enterprise.[3] This ride mainly differs in its seating and restraint configuration, which is floorless with over-the-shoulder restraints.
In the ride, up to two people sit in one of 20 gondolas arranged in a circle, one in front of the other.[1] The ride moves clockwise, dispelling a slight amount ofcentrifugal force.[1] A hydraulically powered arm underneath the ride then raises and tilts the frame so that the ride is rotating at 87° from the horizontal, transforming the ride from a horizontal experience to a nearly vertical one.[1]
On most Enterprise models, there are no safety restraints inside the enclosed gondolas; the force applied to the riders is sufficient to keep them pinned in their seats.[1] However, some models have been fitted with seat belts. Riders usually hold onto the bars surrounding them for extra safety. these bars are usually padded, but on models such as the Orbit at California’s Great America, the gripping bars along the side of the cabin are Velcro wrapped in a material that distinguishes them from the other bars that enclosed the gondola. Most parks and carnivals require riders to be at least 48 in (120 cm) tall, though it is not uncommon to see restrictions as much as 54 in (140 cm) or more. The transportable version of the ride racks onto two trailers, the first carrying the wheel, arm, and drive systems while the second is loaded with the gondolas, platforms, and any additional equipment.[1] The first trailer also acts as the base of the ride while in operation.[1]
Much like any other Enterprise-type ride, the Passat has a number of caged gondolas, in this case 12, that sit around a circular frame, which, in turn, sits on the end of an arm. But what makes this ride different from an Enterprise is that the center of the frame, as well as the end of the arm, is fitted around an arc-shaped pillar, which is used to raise and lower the arm in order to tilt it from horizontal to vertical. The earliest known machine,Passat, was originally built by German show family Winter, who started traveling it to funfairs in 1964.[2] Later machines were built by Klaus[4] and possibly Heinz Fähtz.[citation needed] Although the whereabouts of these rides are mostly unknown, there is one, known asSuper Passat, which is currently believed to be in storage.[5]
In the early 1980s, HUSS produced a larger version of the Enterprise called the SkyLab. It features 15–20 four-seater gondolas (up to four riders per seat) and had a diameter of approximately 60 feet (18 m) or greater. Most SkyLabs have been dismantled; however, there is one known model still operating:Cyclone at Parque Del Café in Montenegro, Quindio,Colombia.
HUSS used the basis of the Enterprise for another ride called the UFO. This ride was similar in operation, but the cars did not swing freely and riders stood up facing the center of the ride. Similarly to most Enterprise rides, there are no restraints due to the centrifugal force experienced on the ride. This ride is no longer in production.
Alakazam atPleasure Island, Cleethorpes, aFly Away variation of the ride with a custom harness that gives the effect of riding a magic carpet
HUSS also used the design of the Enterprise for a newer attraction called Fly Away. In this version, riders lay on their stomachs to simulate the feeling of flying. This version also has the capability to spin riders forwards or backwards.
The Schwarzkopf versions of the Enterprise have either 16 or 21 gondolas, thus having a different diameter of the wheel.[1] The gondolas are also smaller than the HUSS version. Originally, the gondolas were produced in-house; they were later replaced by gondolas manufactured separately byReverchon.[1]
Heinz Fähtz manufactured some 16-gondola Enterprises. The only known operating park model is atSix Flags Darien Lake, installed in 1981.[6] Another portable ride is traveled in New Zealand byMahons Amusements, loading on 2 trailers complete with backflash.[citation needed][7]
The Emiliana Luna Park version of the Enterprise has 20 gondolas.[8] One Enterprise manufactured by Emiliana Luna Park, named Kehrä, is located at Linnanmäki amusement park in Finland.[9]
One model is known to be operating currently atYokohama Cosmo World.[10]Super Planet is comparable to the Huss Giant Enterprise models, as they both feature similar gondolas that accommodate four riders in two seats. Unlike the Huss version which has only 15 gondolas, theSenyo Kogyo version has 20, which allows for a total of 80 passengers. This makes it one of the largest Enterprise rides in size and capacity.
Note: The Schwarzkopf Park Model versions of the ride are indicated with "(SDC)" following the park or operator name. The Heinz Fähtz Enterprise is marked "(HF)".
Denmark – At least two;Enterprise atBakken (disassembled and is to be renovated and sold) and 'Solhjulet' at Sommerland Syd[11]
Egypt – One in Dream Park; largest amusement park in Egypt and the Middle East
Estonia – At least one; a traveling model owned by Tivoli Tuur. Got into fire in 2007; 41 were injured.[12]
Finland – Two;Enterprise (Huss) atPowerPark amusement park (from 2019)[13] andKehrä (Emiliana Luna Park) atLinnanmäki amusement park (from 2009).[9]
France – At least one Enterprise;Gravity at Kingoland.[14]
Germany – One travelling Enterprise;Mondlift owned by Zehle.,[15] plus a few stationary Enterprises in different amusement parks – all manufactured by Huss.
Italy -Enterprise Famiglia bellucci "Puglia" (HUSS) ... (Trailer Mode) Year 2014
India − At least five; three at Mumbai (2 at Six Flags, 1 at Play Land), 1 in New Delhi at Essel World and 1 at Hydrabad at Musky Mountain.
Enterprise (Huss Portable Model) atTusenfryd (1988–2006). Moved to Lindströms Tivoli inSweden (2006), and to a Swedish showman, Håkan Skogh (2006–2009). From 2010 owner Troost-Spel in the Netherlands.
August 13, 1981 (1981-08-13):Seven people were killed and 16 were injured[23] at theHamburger Dom, located at theHeiligengeistfeld Fair Grounds inHamburg,Germany. As the Skylab's height increased, the ride's gondolas came into contact with a nearbycrane– which had previously done repairs on the "Katapult"roller coaster. The crane ripped some of the gondolas from the ride, and the victims plunged from heights of up to 15 metres (49 ft).[23] Six of the deceased were killed from the impact after falling, while the seventh succumbed to their injuries at a hospital. Among the deceased are Sigrid Christiansen(18) and Gabi Littkewitz(18).[23]
October 17, 1983 (1983-10-17):At theTexas State Fair, inDallas,Texas, an 18-year-old boy was killed and several bystanders were injured when a gondola fell off the ride.[24][25]
1993 (1993):More than 50 people were injured following a hydraulic malfunction atCamden Park in Huntington, West Virginia.[26]
September 22, 2001 (2001-09-22):Two teenagers sustained minor injuries when one support on a gondola broke onZodiac atThorpe Park inSurrey,England.[27] The gondola repeatedly hit the decking at the bottom of the ride whilst the operator attempted to stop the ride. The incident was taken to court, where the judge criticised the length of time it took to shut down the ride after an abnormal noise had been noticed. The park was fined £65,000 and made to pay an extra £35,000 in costs.
May 18, 2007 (2007-05-18):AnEstonian Enterprise owned by Tivoli Tuur and operating at a carnival inRakvere caught fire.[12] It was in motion, with riders aboard, when the fire suddenly ignited at approximately 11:00p.m.[28] It was stopped and evacuated, but not before injuries were sustained by the riders.[28] 31 patients were hospitalized with first and second degree burns, with an additional 10 admitted and checked for possible smoke inhalation. Six burn victims required further treatment, with all six released from the hospital by May 23.[12][28] The fire damaged the ride's electrical systems and five of the 20 gondolas.[12] Preliminary investigations found no evidence to conclusively conclude what had caused the incident, but the owner suggested it might have been arson.[12]
February 17, 2023 (2023-02-17):An incident occurred involving the Enterprise Ride at theFlorida State Fair. The ride unexpectedly stopped while remaining in a vertical position, leaving some riders suspended upside down. Several riders reported minor injuries, including bruises, as a result of the malfunction. The management of the Florida State Fair stated that the activation of safety mechanisms led to the ride's shutdown, and they initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.[29]
^As of February 2021, Mahons Amusements confirmed the ride was last setup in April 2008 and fully functional. Since then it has been put in storage awaiting future refurbishment.
^According toAmusement Rides Extravaganza, there are 22 HUSS Enterprises in North America; this does not include other manufacturers and may or may not include Canada.
