Have you ever wanted to fly a fighter jet? As a kid I often had dreams of executing daring barrel rolls and death-defying dives, so its not a shock that I am such an avid roller coaster enthusiast. Well, Canada’s Wonderland’s Flight Deck is a Vekoma SLC that appears to contain several maneuvers that a fighter pilot would seemingly execute as it has sweeping dives, barrel rolls, and sudden twists and turns. However, Flick Deck does not at all simulate flying a fighter jet, but rather it simulates a violent plane wreck. Sadly, saying that it simulates a violent plane wreck does not do this ride justice, as this is by far the most painful and worst roller coaster that I have ever ridden.
Vekoma SLCs are often some of the most condemned roller coasters out there by the roller coaster community. Affectionately called Vekoma “hang and bangs,” SLCs are criticized for their incredibly rough and painful rides. Prior to visiting Canada’s Wonderland, I had only ever been on two Mind Erasers- one at Six Flags New England and one at Darien Lake. Now I actually find the one at Six Flags New England to be relatively smooth when riding in a brace position, and while the one at Darien Lake wasn’t all that good, it at least did not consist of constant head-banging from start to finish. If you just asked what roller coaster has constant head-banging from start to finish, look no further than Flight Wreck (I refuse to call it Flight Deck for the rest of this review).
Previously called Top Gun when owned by Paramount Parks, Flight Wreck is located adjacent to the main entrance. As a result, this was the first ride I hit during my visit to Canada’s Wonderland. Prior to visiting Canada’s Wonderland, I had always heard nightmarish reports about how awful the queue times were for all of their rides. I was fortunate enough to visit Canada’s Wonderland on an off-day this past summer. Despite this, I still waited too long for Flight Wreck, as I waited 20 minutes. While the line was basically empty, incredibly slow loading was the primary culprit for my wait, so I could see this having an incredibly long line on a busy day.
Honestly, the ride’s appearance is the only thing going for it. With a very cool looking sign, Flight Wreck appears to have kept almost all of the theming that it had during its days as Top Gun. While making my way through the line, there were several army trucks and airplanes. Also, there even was a spinning satellite and a very cool looking control tower. Now onto the ride itself…gulp.
The ride began with my favorite part- the lift hill. Actually, I can’t say that for sure since I though the brake run was incredible as well, but anyway, after cresting the top of the lift hill I was treated to 45 seconds of sheer torture. The first drop set the tone for Flight Wreck, as the entire train was already jostling the whole way down, and simultaneously my head whacked the poorly-padded restraint repeatedly. In rapid fire succession, Flight Wreck then executed the roll-over, sidewinder, and double inline twist elements. While the ride definitely possesses an action-packed layout, my head got plenty of exercise. It would whack the left side of the restraint; then it would whack the right side. But there was variety- sometimes my head would whack the right side first. Regardless, Flight Wreck was just a disaster.
Following the five inversions, Flight Wreck loses a ton of speed. At the time I was hoping that the final few drops would be relatively smooth, but I could not have been more wrong. Even while being taken at literally 10-15 MPH, there was still a ton of headbanging. Then I saw the light at the end of the tunnel- the brake run. I was eager to reach the brakes for the first time ever on a roller coaster. With a deep sigh of relief, the carnage ended.
Congrats Flight Wreck! You have claimed the infamous spot as the worst roller coaster I have been on from a now defunct roller coaster that operated at Enchanted Forest, a small Rhode Island kiddie park that closed in 2004. From start to finish Flight Wreck was an absolute disaster that did not at all simulate flying a fighter jet. I will admit that it simulated crashing a fighter jet fairly well; however, I think some of the headbanging was a bit too excessive at times. As I wrap up this sarcasm-filled review, I leave you with one of the best pieces of advise that you will ever hear- avoid this roller coaster at all costs!
Times Ridden: 1
Favorite Seat: Youtube
Best Part: Queue Line
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