NOTES TAKEN BY MIKE BLACK OF FEBRUARY 18, 1992, TELEPHONE CONFERENCE BETWEEN FIESTA TEXAS, RCCT, MORGAN MFG., USAA, JOHN F. PIERCE ASSOC., PROJECT CONTROL AND DR. RICHARD H. BROWN, PhD, DIRECTOR OF METRO HEALTH, ST. LUKE'S MEDICAL CENTER, DIV. OF SURGICAL RESEARCH, CLEVELAND, OHIO. VERBAL RESULTS OF FIRST ACCELEROMETER TEST ON FIESTA TEXAS COASTER "THE RATTLER", MARCH 17, 1992: PARTIPATING IN THE CONFERENCE: Dr. Richard Brown, Robert Brown (brother), Richard Nitschke, Dana Morgan, Tom Dreiss, Bobby Sharitz, John Pierce, Scott Shirley, Dan Slayden, Keith Sanders, Alton Pardue, Gary Hall, Jim Sheppard and Mike Black. A. Position of Devices The testing was conducted first from the front car, the middle, and then the last car. The forces measured were vertical, horizontal, fore and aft. B. Negative G-Forces Free fall time (negative G's) 1.29 sec., at hlll/turn approach to station "Fly By". C. The following are the reporting stations discussed by Dr. Brown, (in direction of travel): 1. Over the Lift (at crown) Train is riding over and scraping something, a clip angle? 2. Down First Drop; as train picks up speed First coach is 0K. Middle coach is 0 G. Last coach is actually slightly negative. Positive G's came early, sitting down position is alright, since riders are not free falling (falling forward). 3. Bottom of First Drop Train "just is" in the envelope. Solid left directed lateral acceleration of 1.5 G's average. NOTES 2/18/92 CONFERENCE CALL PAGE 2 Vertical G's at about the same point is not quite 5 for a 1 sec. duration. Track is oscilating at this point. COMMENT: "It is perfectly safe (per Dr. Brown), is as much as you want; is within the envelope." COMMENT: The concern with vertical G's, according to Dr. Brown, is that when riders are bent over or forward, they experience neck, back, sprains and a lumbar spine condition. In the military, Dr. Brown has tested for up to 14 G's. Keith Sanders desires to know the speed of the train at this position and will enlist a radar gun for testings. Per Dr. Brown, OK at 2nd proximity switch. ASTM standards -- close. Recommendations are l.5 maximum to the side, which is what we have at bottom of first drop and, lateral G's accelerating to left. 4. High Curve Lateral acceleration at 1.5 G's as train picks up speed. Vertical G's go to 2 and then to 1 and then to about 3 G's, (or 4 G's absolute). There is oscillation and signs of roughness laterally -- look at the track there. 5. Helix Is good profile, and the "smoothest" Dr. Brown has ever seen in a section of wooden roller coaster track. When the train banks, the vector is between the riders legs and this is good. COMMENT: Dr. Brown's comment: We are at 1.4999 laterally, which is within the 1.5 limit and it can be defended. COMMENT: If you double the train speed you increase problems by 4 times (acceleration). Slowing down is the inverse. 6. Out of the helix and Down into the Tunnel After the radius, rider is pulling 2.5 - 3.5 G's (absolute). Train quickly then gets back to 1 G. NOTES 2/18/92 CONFERENCE CALL Page 3 7. At Tunnel Bit of oscillation to 2 G's; 1 G in direction of cliff. Train experiences a little rough going here. 8. Climbing out of tunnel Riders experience 2 G's vertically for 2 sec. At the middle of the tunnel, riders experience 3 G's, then back to 1 G. Duration in tunnel is approximately 1 sec., and one third in the tunnel for 5 milliseconds, the rider goes from 1.0 - 3.0 G's. COMMENT: Dr. Brown comment: In the dark, from a psychological perspective, when one can not see, he/she tends to tense up. 9. Climbing up into the Left Turn which leads into the "Fly By" The rider experiences a "kick" from the turn of l.5 G's in the front coach, which has no other coaches to help "dampen". Following coaches smooth out a little. The climbing rear coach is faster, but it experiences O G, then the sideways shift. COMMENT: Dr. Brown comment: Negative G is OK. Zero G is not appreciated by the body. 10. "Fly-By" Train riders experience 1.5 G's here. 11. Last Dip before Station. A little "wash board", some lateral chatter and then it smooths out. 12. Brakes There was 700 pounds per coach. Deceleration is 0.656 and braking is OK. NOTES 2/18/92 CONFERENCE CALL Page 4 D. SUMMARY COMMENTS: Dr. Brown said that this was "one super coaster". It is smooth, but there are some areas which need to be addressed. Some of the areas are slightly pushing the 1.5 G' envelope. It is a very nice ride, it does push the limits, keep an eye on it, watch the speed (time) and Fiesta Texas will have a fine coaster. Keith was concerned about pushing the 1.5 G at edge of envelope. At initial drop, first coach is always positive G, middle of train goes to 0 G and last coach goes to slightly negative. ACTION: Keith Sanders wants the areas "pushing the edge" to be adjusted and retested in 2 - 3 weeks. ACTION: He desires then that we test again in August and that he wants a "good" written report. 1.5 is acceptable. Keith said he is real pleased with these initial results and the fact that there are no major problems to address.