Negative-G - Kennywood - Kennycon 2015

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With our trip to Pennsylvania one of the goals was to get back to Kennywood as I had only been to the park back in 2000 and 2004. Luckily the American Coaster Enthusiasts were having the annual "Kennycon" event during our window of time in the state so we worked the schedule to end up at the event.

The Sky Rocket Roller Coaster at Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA

Having exclusive ride time is a huge perk of the events that ACE puts on because you get to ride something over and over and over again.

Kicking off Kennycon we had an hour on Kennywood's newest coaster Sky Rocket before the park opened for the day.

Sky Rocket sits where Kennywood's old Turnpike ride used to be and launches you to fifty miles an hour is just about three seconds.

Sky Rocket's launch is really fun as it uses linear synchronous motors; which are basically electromagnets that launch the train. Unlike mechanical launches Sky Rocket doesn't have to stop to position the train before launching. Instead the train leaves the station under gravity and as soon as it gets to the launch track the magnets of the linear synchronous motor kick in and immediately accelerate you and the train on the way.