Lights on rides?

I've always wondered...do the lights stay on Millennium Force, Dragster and Magnum all year round? Like Millennium's colored lights, Dragster's spotlight lights and Magnum's going up the chain lights?

I highly doubt it! The only lights (I'm 99 percent sure) that are on in the winter are the basic lights in the park, if that makes sence.

Speaking of lights, does anyone think that they will fix Power Towers top lights or Millennium's?

^The flashing beacons on top of the rides are obviously kept on as well to alert any aircraft passing nearby. That's only for rides/structures taller than 200' though.

Very few lights are left on during the offseason. It's actually every ride above 300 feet that have the flashing beacon. Power Tower, Millennium Force, Space Spiral, and Top Thrill Dragster.

I believe a couple midway lights are left on as well.

Not sure if they did it this year but around Christmas time a couple of years ago the park turned on all the coaster lights..............it was way cool during the winter.

Gomez is correct... though I guess they leave them on a few days after the season's over... it was fun looking at the Point from Battery Park in November.

It would be cool to see Millennium's colored lights in the snow.

Some of the lights are still on, (the red ones on the top of the taller rides, space spiral, etc.) The chasing lights and Millenium Force lights aren't.
If you're in Sandusky in the off season, go to Damon's at Battery Park and ask for a seat with a view. It's a great place to see the point close up in the off season.

Gomez said:
Very few lights are left on during the offseason. It's actually every ride above 300 feet that have the flashing beacon. Power Tower, Millennium Force, Space Spiral, and Top Thrill Dragster.

Really? Are there different laws in different states? Because I know that's why Cinderella's Castle at both Magic Kingdoms is 189' tall. Disney World is built on the "second floor" so to speak. Ground level is a tunnel system below the park. So even if they included the additional level, the castle is still under 200' tall.

cptedsdisciple2 said:
The chasing lights and Millenium Force lights aren't.

And when you consider how expensive the bulbs for those intelligent lights can be, it only further justifies leaving them off.

I know Dragster has the flashing lights that stay on to alert aircraft, but does Millennium Force have anything like that? You know what I'm talking about? The ones that blink like ever 2 seconds?

cptedsdisciple2 said:

If you're in Sandusky in the off season, go to Damon's at Battery Park and ask for a seat with a view. It's a great place to see the point close up in the off season.

I think you just inspired me for my next road trip :-)

Shawn Meyer said:
I know Dragster has the flashing lights that stay on to alert aircraft, but does Millennium Force have anything like that?

Yes.

While I'm not sure on the exact law, it is obivious the height limit before a flashing beacon is need is above 215 feet. Since Wicked Twister doesn't have any light. The next tallest ride is Power Tower which does at 300 feet. I believe VertiGo stood somewhere between 250 and 300 feet, does anybody have a picture of remember if that ride had a light on top of it's three towers?

From: http://copyrightroyalties.com/TT0502.pdf

Painting and/or Lighting Required for:
• Any antenna structure taller than 60.96 meters (200 feet)
• Antenna structures near a public use airport

Generally, FAA Advisory Circulars require towers that extend more than 200 feet above the ground to be painted. That does not mean in order for the tower painting requirement to apply, the tower must be more than 200 feet above ground to trigger the painting requirement. For example, if a 50-foot tower were situated on top of a 175-foot building, the painting requirement would be applicable because the top of the tower is more than 200 feet above ground. There are exceptions to the above rule. Specifically, when a tower extends into the protected airspace surrounding an airport or heliport it must be painted --even if the top of the tower is not more than 200 feet above ground. Also, towers lighted with high intensity white obstruction lights during daylight hours do not require painting.
....
Exceptions to FAA Notification Rules
Tower shielded by existing structures of a permanent and substantial character or by natural terrain.

Still doesn't explain why Magnum and Wicked Twister don't have lights.

My guess is because of Space Spiral being lit up, and Magnum is just barely over 200ft. Beats me though.

bholcomb said:
From: http://copyrightroyalties.com/TT0502.pdf

I was just about to look it up Ben! I was going to look through Part 97 and go thru that first though, heh.

It'll be mostly controlled by FAA rules though I'd think. In the case of CP, since they aren't transmitting any RF (to my knowledge) from their structures, it'd fall 100% under FAA regulations and not FCC.

I'm sure there's a bunch of regulations due to distance from airports and what not too. I believe that has to do with runway length as well.

btw they made me AEC for Skywarn here in Ingham County.

Gomez said:
Still doesn't explain why Magnum and Wicked Twister don't have lights.

Exceptions to FAA Notification Rules
Tower shielded by existing structures of a permanent and substantial character or by natural terrain.

I think when airplanes see the 420 foot tall dragster they're not gonna swoop down and accidentally hit something shorter.