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Parachute Training Center: Edwards AFB Jump Tower

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Parachute Training Center: Edwards AFB Jump Tower
The tower pictured in 2012, with the then-new Slingshot ride.
Six Flags Great Adventure
AreaBoardwalk
StatusRemoved
Opening dateApril 8, 1978 (Six Flags Over Mid-America)
June 9, 1983 (Six Flags Great Adventure)
Closing dateJanuary 2023
Ride statistics
ManufacturerIntamin
ModelParachute Tower 1200
Height250 ft (76 m)
Capacity12 riders per hour
Vehicle typeParachute
VehiclesParachutes

Parachute Training Center: Edwards AFB Jump Tower (originally known as Parachuter's Perch) was a 250-foot-tall Intamin Parachute Drop ride that operated at Six Flags Great Adventure. Located in the Boardwalk section of the park, the ride opened in 1983 as Parachuter's Perch. The ride closed by the end of the 2022 season, and stood dormant until its demolition in December 2024. The tower's height made it a prominent icon in the park's skyline for 40 years.[1]

History

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The ride originally opened on April 8, 1978,[citation needed] as the Sky Chuter at Six Flags Over Mid-America (now Six Flags St. Louis).[1] In 1982, the ride was closed, disassembled, and relocated to Six Flags Great Adventure;[1] after being reassembled, it opened on June 9, 1983 as Parachuter's Perch.[1]

Parachute Training Tower pictured in 2008, along with the Great American Scream Machine, and Eruption sky sling ride. (Demolished)

When Parachuter's Perch first opened, it was painted completely white.[1] In 1994, bands of red were added around the bolt rings, and the orange and yellow parachutes were replaced by red, white, and blue colored parachutes.[1] In 1996,[citation needed] the ride's name was changed to Parachute Training Center - Edwards Air Force Base Jump Tower, as a tie-in to The Right Stuff: Mach 1 Adventure, a nearby flight simulator.[1]

From 1983 to 2005, it was the tallest ride in the state of New Jersey;[1] it would lose this title to Kingda Ka, another ride at Six Flags Great Adventure, upon its opening in 2005.[1]

In Fall 2009, the ride was completely repainted, and the design of its parachutes was updated.[1] The tower's new paint scheme consisted of three stripes: maroon, orange, and gold, from bottom to top.[1]

Closure

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In February 2023, the ride page was removed from the official Six Flags Great Adventure website.[2] Soon afterwards, the park announced on social media that the ride would be removed.[3] The ride would stand dormant for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, with little action towards its removal.

On November 14, 2024, the park made an official announcement stating that Kingda Ka, Green Lantern, Twister, and the Parachute Training Center tower would be removed.[4][5][6] Around the time of the announcement, demolition permits were filed with the local government.[7][8] On December 19, 2024,[citation needed] the Parachute Training Center tower was demolished with explosives,[citation needed] falling to the ground in the direction of the former Green Lantern roller coaster site;[citation needed] the latter had been dismantled over the prior month.

After the demolition of the Texas Chute Out at Six Flags Over Texas in 2012, Great Gasp's removal at Six Flags Over Georgia in 2005, and the closure of the Sky Flower at Tokyo Dome City Attractions in Tokyo, Japan, for the quarter-half of 2024, it remained the last remaining Intamin parachute tower in the world.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Parachuter's Perch At Six Flags Great Adventure". www.greatadventurehistory.com.
  2. ^ Zarrow, Dan (February 14, 2023). "This classic Great Adventure ride rumored to be closed for good". New Jersey 101.5.
  3. ^ Davis, Mike. "Parachute ride at Six Flags Great Adventure to be removed". Asbury Park Press.
  4. ^ Jackson, N.J. (November 14, 2024). "Major Investment Heading for Six Flags Great Adventure". sixflags.com.
  5. ^ Kausch, Katie (November 14, 2024). "Kingda Ka closed to make way for 'record-breaking' mystery ride at Six Flags Great Adventure". nj.com.
  6. ^ Rousselle, Christine (November 14, 2024). "Six Flags shuts down Kingda Ka roller coaster as fans sound off: 'Heartbreaking and insulting'". New York Post.
  7. ^ Rotuno-Johnson, Michelle (November 13, 2024). "3 Rides To Be Demolished At Six Flags Great Adventure: Report". Patch.
  8. ^ "SDL Portal". Retrieved 2024-12-28. DEMO OF PARACHUTE RIDE

Primary sources

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