Batwing (roller coaster)

For roller coaster element with the same name, see List of roller coaster elements § Batwing.

Batwing is a steel flying roller coaster built by Vekoma at Six Flags America in Prince George's County, Maryland. The ride is a clone of the now-defunct Firehawk at Kings Island, and similar to the also-defunct Nighthawk at Carowinds, however that ride had a slightly different ending, and different paint scheme.

Batwing
Six Flags America
Location	Six Flags America
Park section	Gotham City
Coordinates	38°54′37″N 76°46′43″W
Status	Operating
Opening date	June 16, 2001
General statistics
Type	Steel – Flying
Manufacturer	Vekoma
Designer	Vekoma
Model	Flying Dutchman (1018m)
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	115 ft (35 m)
Drop	103 ft (31 m)
Length	3,340 ft (1,020 m)
Speed	50 mph (80 km/h)
Inversions	5
Duration	2:02
Max vertical angle	33°
Capacity	850 riders per hour
G-force	4.3
Height restriction	54–78 in (137–198 cm)
Trains	2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 24 riders per train.
Flash Pass Available
Batwing at RCDB

After the closure of Nighthawk at Carowinds in 2024, Batwing is the only operating Vekoma Flying Dutchman.

History

In February 2001, it was confirmed that Six Flags America would be receiving Batwing. This attraction would be a Vekoma Flying Dutchman coaster themed to Batman. It would be built towards the back of the park in the Gotham City section. Although the ride was set to open in May 2001, the opening was delayed. On June 16, 2001, Batwing officially opened to guests. It was the first flying roller coaster on the East Coast.^[1]

On May 1, 2025, Six Flags announced that the Six Flags America park will close at the end of the 2025 season on November 2, 2025.^[2] The status on the future of the Batwing roller coaster was not given at the time of the announcement.^[3]

Ride experience

Track

The steel track is approximately 3,340 feet (1,020 m) in length and the height of the lift is approximately 115 feet (35 m).^[4]

Batwing has a total of five inversions. It features one vertical loop, two inline twists, two "Lie to Fly" and two "Fly to Lie" elements.^[4] Each "Lie to Fly" and "Fly to Lie" element is counted as a half inversion.^[5][6] A "Lie to Fly" element is when riders are on their backs, facing the sky and they are flipped and face the ground.^[7] A "Fly to Lie" element is the opposite.

Layout

Once riders are seated and restrained, the train tilts backwards into a 'lay-down' position and dispatches. The train travels backwards out of the station, turns left and travels up the 115-foot (35 m) lift hill at a 33-degree angle. Once the train reaches the top of the lift hill, it dips down into a twist (called a "Lie-to-Fly") that turns the trains upside down into a flying position where riders face the ground. After the twist, the train travels down the first drop, reaching speeds of 51 mph (82 km/h). Riders then go through an over banked Horseshoe Curve element. Following the Horseshoe, the train enters a "Fly-to-Lie" element that turns riders back to a lay-down position. After the banked turn, the ride enters the 66-foot (20 m) tall vertical loop, where riders experience 4.3 G's. The train then goes into another "Lie-to-Fly" element. Following the loop, riders go through another turn and then hit two consecutive inline twists. Following the inline twists, the train enters the final helix. After the helix, riders hit the final "Fly-to-Lie" element and the train is slowed down on the brake run.^[8][9]

Trains

Batwing currently operates with two trains. Each train has six cars that have four seats in a single row for a total of 24 riders.^[4] It originally operated with three trains but was reduced to two in 2007. Riders are secured by a vest over the chest and a lap bar.

See also

• Nighthawk (roller coaster) - a similar ride formerly located at sister park Carowinds