Ferrari World’s new aviation-inspired roller coaster breaks records

Visitors on Flying Aces, the new roller coaster at Ferrari World, during its official opening on Wednesday. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // Three world records fell on Wednesday when Ferrari World opened its latest attraction, the Flying Aces.

Thrill seekers could experience a roller coaster with the world’s steepest and fastest cable lift, at 51 degrees and 30 kilometres per hour, and the world’s tallest inverted loop, climbing 52 metres.

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› Read about Thamer's experience riding Flying Aces here: Flying Aces at Ferrari World: extreme ride, extreme pleasure

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With more than 10 zero-gravity moments, two inversions and speeds of up to 120kph along a 1.5km track, the new ride mimics the flight of a bi-plane.

The ride was inspired by Enzo Ferrari’s infatuation with aviation and the Italian aviator who created the Ferrari prancing horse emblem.

“This is the most thrilling ride this region has seen in a long time,” said Jesse Vargas, general manager of Ferrari World.

The new ride will be followed by three more in the next two years as part of Ferrari World’s biggest expansion yet, said Mohammed Al Zaabi, chief executive of Miral Asset Management, which runs the theme park.

Jean-Eric Vergne, a Formula 1 racing driver, was impressed. “The speed and the later G forces you feel made it really cool. I loved this ride,” he said.

Commerical pilot Shashank Singh visited from India. “I was initially nervous,” said the A380 pilot. “During pilot training you experience negative Gs but this is totally different. The sudden initial drop was unexpected.”

Visitors between 130 and 196 centimetres tall can try the ride every day from 11am to 8pm. Unlimited access tickets to the park’s rides start at Dh250 for adults and Dh205 for children.