Key Terms

Airtime- When a rollercoaster goes backwards or goes up/down a hill at high speeds passengers often times rise from their seats and get a butterfly type feeling in their stomach.

Anti rollback device- The clicking noise you hear when climbing the lift hill of a rollercoaster is caused by catch dogs under the cars that go into place on the lift which prevents the car from rolling back down the hill.

Bank- When the track makes the car lean in a certain direction. It is more gentle than a curve being as though it doesn't throw riders to the sides of the car.

Barrel roll- A complete sideways twist like an airplane maneuver.

Block- A series of brakes which allows more than 1 rollercoaster train to operate at the same time.

Brake run- A section of the track strictly made for brakes and is right before re-entering the station.

Bunny hops/Camelback- A series of short hills which often time are used for airtime.

Catapault- A launch mechanism used in place of the original chain used on a lift hill.

Chain lift- Basically self descriptive!

Corkscrew- An upside down element.

Floorless coaster- A coaster where the train of the rollercoaster has no floor and riders legs dangle mere inches above the track.

G-Forces- The element that pushes riders out or into their seats.

Giga coaster- A rollercoaster that has a hill within the range of 300-399ft.

Headchopper- An element used where a track runs underneath another track making it feel as though your head is going to go into the other track. (Ex. The Phantom's Revenge has a headchopper on the 2nd drop when it runs under the Thunderbolt.)

Zero G Roll- An element where the train twists but riders hearts stay in line with the center of the curve.

Helix- A spiral like curve which takes the place of an ascending or descending hill.

Inversion- An element where riders are turned upside down.

Out and Back- A coaster that travels out to a certain point and has a turn around point which brings it back to the station.

Strata coaster- Any rollercoaster with a hill acheiving a height of 400-499ft.

Train- The rollercoaster cars which connect and form a train like shape.