Cleared to thrill
GA-friendly roller coaster destinations
Odds are, if you enjoyed stalls and steep turns in your training, you might want to use your certificate after the checkride to seek some thrills at amusement parks. Here are some theme parks located at GA-friendly locations for you to consider.
Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios (left), Dollywood (above), Hershey Park, and Six Flags Great America are near GA-friendly airports.
Hershey Park, Hershey, Pennsylvania | 11 miles north of Harrisburg International Airport (MDT)
Do not let the chocolate theme of Hershey Park deceive you. Located a short taxi ride away from Harrisburg International Airport, the park boasts dozens of attractions ranging from children-friendly rides to high-thrill roller coasters. Its tallest coaster, Candymonium, is so tall (210 feet) that it required approval from the FAA and is charted on your VFR sectional.
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 5 miles south of Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT)
In a gorgeous part of the country, at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, you’ll find an amusement park themed for singer Dolly Parton, who is local to the area. The park itself features everything from the Dolly Parton Experience, which takes you through the singer-songwriter’s career, to water rides and the Dragonflier—a floorless roller coaster.
Six Flags Great America, Waukegan, Illinois | 7 miles southwest of Waukegan National (UGN)
Right at the edge of the Chicago O’Hare Class Bravo airspace is Six Flags Great America. This park offers high-octane thrills with easy access to most Midwest pilots. Inbound from south of Chicago, you will have the opportunity to fly the incredible Chicago skyline VFR flyway (see “Chicago Skyline Flight,” March/April 2024 Flight Training).
Six Flags Magic Mountain and Universal Studios Hollywood | Whiteman Airport (WHP)
California is not only a great state for general aviation, but a great state for theme parks. Whiteman Airport outside of Burbank offers easy access to two world-class theme parks. Ten miles south of the airport is Universal Studios Hollywood, renowned for its theming and rides. Twenty miles north of Whiteman in Santa Clarita is Six Flags Magic Mountain, known for its modern, high-thrill coasters.
After enjoying a day on the rides, make sure to check in with your own body. The only worse place to be motion sick than the ground is in the air.
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