Satellite at Knoebels is a rare Eyerly Roll-O-Plane.
This is an older flat ride, but it’s still an interesting one that has been thrilling
guests for over 65 years.
All of the Roll-O-Planes were manufactured by the Eyerly Aircraft Company.
Based out of Salem, Oregon, Eyerly opened in 1930.
They originally intended to manufacture flight simulators, but they transitioned to amusement
rides in the later that decade.
And one of the rides they developed was the Roll-O-Plane, which was also nicknamed the
Bullet or Salt and Pepper Shakers.
Today, there are roughly a half dozen Roll-O-Planes remaining.
And Satellite is arguably the most popular and well-known installation.
Knoebels added their Roll-O-Plane in 1955.
Named Satellite, this ride is almost always a walk-on.
And I find that sort of odd considering how low this ride’s capacity is.
The ride consists of two arms, each with two cars.
So the ride can seat a total of 8 riders.
And because it can only load one arm at a time, it’s not the most efficient loader
either.
Plus Knoebels runs a long cycle like every ride at the park.
I don’t think this ride is all that popular, but it works for this ride.
But I don’t think this ride is in imminent danger of being removed because it occupies
such a small footprint you really couldn’t fit another adult ride in its place.
The restraints on this one are interesting.
You only have a lap belt.
And that lap belt is fixed to the door.
So when the operator shuts the door to lock you in the vehicle, the belt simultaneously
lowers.
This belt can be rather tight, but it’s very much necessary when you see what this
ride does.
If you are claustrophobic, I would recommend avoiding this ride.
The cars are super cramped and it does feel like you’re in a metal cage.
You’re boxed in on all sides and even the front of the car consists of a series of metal
bars.
It’s sort of similar to a Zipper cage if you’ve ridden one of those rides.
Off-ride, it looks like Satellite will invert you more times than you can count.
But you actually never invert.
You come about as close as you possibly can to going upside down, but the ride backs out
at the last second.
How does it do this?
As the arm rotates, your individual car also rotates.
So as you rise towards the sky, you vehicle will twist 180 degrees to keep you upright.
And then when you dive towards the ground, you twist back 180 degrees to again stay upright.
But the ride can be divided into two distinct segments- the vertical section and the horizontal
section.
This vertical section of the ride isn’t particularly forceful- it doesn’t offer
much in terms of positive Gs, airtime, or hangtime.
But it’s extremely disorienting because of the nonstop motion.
Plus it runs both forwards and backwards.
So for one half of the ride, you’ll have the visual of diving towards the ground.
For the other half, you’ll feel like you’re being pulled towards the sky as you see the
ground disappear beneath you.
But I think the horizontal section is the crazier part of the ride.
Some versions- like the one at Arnolds Park- remain upright for the entire duration.
While others like the ones at Little Americka and Knoebels offer both the vertical and horizontal
sections.
During the horizontal section, you are tosses side-to-side in your vehicle like a ragdoll.
If you’re alone, you’re going to slide side-to-side.
I tend to ride this alone since it’s rare to have a restraint set-up that allows for
this much movement mid-ride.
If you’re riding with someone else, you’re going to take turns smashing into each other.
For this reason, I would caution against two riders who aren’t similar in size from riding
together.
I could see this quickly becoming uncomfortable for a young kid riding with an adult.
Satellite gives a long cycle, clocking it at roughly 2.5 minutes in length- excluding
the bit where you’re stopped for the other side to load and unload.
So the ride is extremely satisfying.
What would I rate Satellite?
I would give this ride a 7 out of 10.
This ride has two separate sections that prevent the ride from feeling monotonous.
You have the vertical section which is about the visuals and then you have the horizontal
section that is about the crushing laterals.
It’s a neat contrast and this is just a fun, classic attraction.
So those are my thoughts on Satellite, the Roll-O-Plane at Knoebels.
Have you ridden this ride?
Or have you ridden one of these elsewhere?
I would love to hear your thoughts down in the comments.
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