Eyerly Aircraft Company Explained

Eyerly Aircraft Company
Founder:Lee Eyerly
Location City:Salem, Oregon
Location Country:United States
Area Served:Worldwide
Industry:Manufacturing and design
Products:Aircraft, amusement rides

Eyerly Aircraft Company was an amusement ride manufacturing company in Salem, Oregon, founded by Lee Eyerly in 1930. The company originally intended to design flight simulators for the aircraft industry but shifted to amusement rides after an early simulator, called Orientator, became a popular pay-per-ride attraction with the public. The company manufactured rides until 1985 and went bankrupt in 1990, following a fatal accident in 1988 on a ride built by the company.

Aircraft manufacturing

Lee Eyerly founded Eyerly Aircraft Company in 1930 to manufacture two inexpensive ways to train pilots which he devised when the Great Depression hit: the Whiffle Hen,[1] a plane which only burned two US gallons (8 L) of fuel per hour of flight, and a ground-based flight training device patented under the name "Orientator". The Orientator consisted of a small airplane suspended in what looked like the tines of a giant tuning fork. Air from the electrically driven propeller passed over the wings and rudder, and the operator controlled the movements of the plane in a manner similar to a real aircraft.[2] The Orientator was produced commercially and eventually renamed "Acroplane".

Amusement rides

A salesman approached Eyerly about selling Acroplanes to carnivals and parks as an amusement ride after noticing several stored on the lot outside Eyerly's shop. While Eyerly was initially skeptical, he agreed to a deal which led to selling about 50 Acroplanes as an amusement ride. The following year, Eyerly changed the company's focus from aircraft to amusement rides based on the successful sales. Eyerly developed and patented numerous amusement rides which would become staples of carnival midways, including The Loop-O-Plane (1933),[3] the Roll-O-Plane,[4] the Fly-O-Plane and the Rock-O-Plane (1947).[5] [6] Perhaps their most popular design was the Octopus, which resulted in later variations: the Spider and the Monster. Two of the company's kiddie carousel rides were the Midge-O-Racer and Bulgy the Whale.[7]

Although Eyerly's manufacturing business became amusement rides, the name of the company remained Eyerly Aircraft Company.

A partial list of the Eyerly Aircraft Company rides and their locations follows.

!Name!Model!Park!Open!Closed!Details!
Monster1962 Seattle World's FairAppears similar to a Monster, but only had 5 arms instead of the typical 6.
Rock-O-PlaneRock-O-PlaneAll Star Adventures (Wichita, Kansas)[8] [9]
SpiderSpiderAll Star Adventures (Wichita, Kansas)[10]
SpiderSpiderAll Star Amusements (Showman)
Freddie the FishBulgy the WhaleArnolds Park[11]
Rock-O-PlaneRock-O-PlaneArnolds ParkUnknownOpen[12]
Roll-O-PlaneRoll-O-PlaneArnolds ParkUnknownOpen[13]
SpiderSpiderArnolds ParkUnknownClosed[14]
Rock-O-PlaneRock-O-PlaneBig Amusements (Showman)
Monster!MonsterBlackpool Pleasure Beach1968
Dragon LoopsLoop-O-PlaneBlue Sky Amusements (Showman)[15]
Killer WhalesBulgy the WhaleBoardwalk Amusements (Daytona Beach, Florida)2017Trailer mounted; new whale vehicles.[16]
Monstrous MambaMonsterBusch Gardens Tampa1976After removal the ride was sold for scrap.[17]
OctopusOctopusC&L Shows (Showman)[18]
LobsterMonsterCalifornia's Great America1976[19]
SpiderSpiderCamden ParkRemoved after incident hospitalized three riders.[20]
FuryMonsterCanada's Wonderland1981Originally named Shiva's Fury. Sat in storage after removal. Ultimately sent to Kings Island for spare part usage on their similar Monster.[21]
Black WidowMonsterCarowinds1973Originally named The Witch Doctor. Relocated within park in 1977. Replaced with Cinema 180.[22]
SpiderSpiderCastle Park[23]
MonsterMonsterCedar Point1970Refurbished in 2014 alongside renovated Gemini Midway.[24] [25]
MonsterMonsterConey Island (Cincinnati)1968Relocated to Kings Island after park closure.[26]
Rock-O-PlanesRock-O-PlaneConey Island (Cincinnati)2007Relocated from LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park. Following removal, listed for sale on Rides4U for $19,000.
Clown FishBulgy the WhaleDeggeller Attractions, Inc. (Showman)[27]
WhalesBulgy the WhaleDelGrosso's Amusement Park[28]
MonsterMonsterDorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom1995Removed for addition of Dominator in 1998, but refurbished and returned to operation in 2000.[29]
MonsterMonsterEsselWorld (India)[30] [31]
OctopusOctopusFantasy Farm (Middletown, Ohio)1987Purchased by Nolan Amusements for $17,500 after park closed.[32] [33]
SpiderSpiderFun Spot America Theme Parks (Atlanta)[34]
Black SquidSpiderGeauga Lake1970Relocated to Kings Dominion; sat in storage but never operated.
MonsterMonsterGhost Town Village1992Ride did not reopen with park in 2007.
Bulgy the GoldfishBulgy the WhaleGilroy Gardens[35]
OctopusOctopusHammerl Amusements (Showman)[36]
MonsterMonsterHersheypark1972Replaced by Tilt-A-Whirl.[37]
Dancer's FishBulgy the WhaleHoliday World & Splashin' SafariPreviously named Salmon Run. Relocated within park for 2014 season.[38]
Paul Revere's Midnight RideSpiderHoliday World & Splashin' Safari1978Originally named Spider Ride. Removed due to dependability issues.[39]
Green MachineLoop-O-PlaneHydro Free Fair1980s[40]
Loop-O-PlaneLoop-O-PlaneIdora Park1936[41]
MonsterMonsterIdora Park1972
Flying OcotpusOctopusIdora Park1938Acquired from Great Lakes Exposition in Cleveland.
Rock-O-PlaneRock-O-PlaneIdora Park1976
SpiderSpiderIdora Park1973
Clown FishBulgy the WhaleJames H. Drew Exposition (Showman)[42]
SpiderJolly Roger at 30th Street
Loop-O-PlaneKeansburg Amusement Park[43]
Loop-O-PlaneLoop-O-PlaneKennywood[44]
Monongahela MonsterMonsterKennywood1979
Roll-O-PlaneRoll-O-PlaneKennywood1950
MonsterMonsterKings Dominion1975Originally named Bad Apple.[45]
MonsterMonsterKings Island1972Relocated from Coney Island after park closure. Maintained with parts from The Fury at Canada's Wonderland.[46]
Rock-O-PlanesRock-O-PlaneKissel Entertainment (Showman)
SatelliteRoll-O-PlaneKnoebels Amusement Resort[47]
Bulgy the WhaleBulgy the WhaleLagoon1956[48]
Rock-O-PlanesRock-O-PlaneLagoon8 May 1954
OctopusOctopusLagoon8 May 1954
Loop-O-PlaneLoop-O-PlaneLagoon19721987
1st. Flying JetsCurrent Name

Flying Aces

Fly-O-PlaneLagoon
Roll-O-PlaneRoll-O-PlaneLagoon30 Mar 1947Burned Down in fire of 53
Roll-O-PlaneRoll-O-PlaneLagoon8 May 1954
Roll-O-PlaneSuper Roll-O-PlaneLagoon1 Apr 1972metal fatigue caused the arm to bend during the ride cycle when it was rotating horizontally. No one on the ride was injured.
Fly-O-PlaneFly-O-PlaneLake Winnepesaukah2000Ejected two riders in 2016.[49] [50]
MonsterMonsterLakemont Park[51]
OctopusOctopusLakemont Park[52]
Loop-O-PlaneLoop-O-PlaneLakeside Amusement Park
Giant OctopusOctopusLeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park1944
Rock-O-PlanesRock-O-PlaneLeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park1949Received new cars in 1990. Relocated to Coney Island after park closure.
Mustekala MonsterLinnanmäki1979After removal the ride was scrapped and replaced with a similar, more efficient model.
SpiderSpiderLuna Park, Melbourne1983Head on top of Spider designed by children's book author Leigh Hobbs in 2001. Ride modified to enable all the arms to load and unload simultaneously.[53]
Willie the WhaleBulgy the WhaleMichael's Amusements (Showman)[54]
Bullet Loop-O-PlaneMiracle Strip Amusement ParkThis ride was sold to Sylvan Beach, New York's Amusement Park after Miracle Strip permanently closed, but later transformed into a Rock-O-Plane.
SpiderMonsterModern Midways (Showman)
Rock-O-PlaneRock-O-PlaneOaks Amusement Park
SpiderSpiderOaks Amusement Park
Ahuna Thrill Ride, TheOctopusPacific Ocean ParkOriginally named Mrs. Squid. Dual Tub Octopus with a squid decor in the center.[55]
Mr. OctopusOctopusPacific Ocean Park
SpiderRace City PCB
Bulgy the WhaleBulgy the WhaleSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk[56]
MonsterMonsterSilverwoodReplaced by Trabant.
Black DragonMonsterSix Flags AstroWorld1968[57]
Jolly MonsterMonsterSix Flags Magic Mountain1973
SpiderSpiderSix Flags New England1968
Crazy LegsMonsterSix Flags Over Texas1973[58]
MoMo the MonsterMonsterSix Flags St. Louis1973Replaced by River View Racer.[59]
Bulgy the WhaleBulgy the WhaleSkerbeck Family Carnival (Showman)[60]
MonsterMonsterSunshine Amusements (Showman)Crashed during 1988 Broward County Fair, causing a fatality. After the incident, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission asked all owners and operators of Monster attractions to perform metallurgical inspection of their rides.[61] [62]
Rock-O-PlaneRock-O-PlaneSylvan Beach Amusement Park[63]
BomberRoll-O-PlaneSylvan Beach Amusement Park
Bulgy the WhaleBulgy the WhaleTinkertown Family Fun Park[64]
Rock-O-PlanesRock-O-PlaneUpper Clements Parks[65]
MonsterMonsterValleyfair1977Using the former Octopus at Worlds of Fun for spare parts.[66] [67]
Bulgy the WhaleBulgy the WhaleWade Shows (Showman)[68]
OctopusOctopusWhalom Park
Funnel WebSpiderWonderland Sydney1985Removed and placed in storage; current whereabouts unknown.
OctopusMonsterWorlds of Fun1973Originally named Oriental Octopus, then later Tailspinner. Ride was absent from park for 1997 season, but returned in 1998 with new cars. Its pieces are currently used for Monster at Valleyfair.
GuppiesBulgy the WhaleWyandot Lake
BarracudaRock-O-PlaneWyandot Lake
Black SquidSpiderWyandot Lake
Little RacersMidge-O-RacerPlayland, Fresno, CA1955Ride was one of the originals when Rotary Playland opened in 1955 on the SW corner of Roeding Park in Fresno, CA. It was called "Midge-O-Racer" but the name was changed to "Little Racers" after a generous donation from a local car dealership.
Rock-O-PlaneRock-O-PlaneThomas Amusements (Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada)[69]

Closure

Eyerly Aircraft Company continued to produce amusement rides until 1985.[70] A fatal accident occurred at the Broward County Fair in Florida in 1988, when an arm (carrying four rider baskets) of a Monster ride snapped along an existing crack that had been painted over years before, and had then been missed in inspections. A 17-year-old girl died of head injuries when the basket she was riding in collided with another as it fell to the ground, and at least six others were injured.[71] A wrongful death lawsuit was brought against the ride's owner and county fair operator for failure to properly inspect and reinforce the ride, despite Eyerley's warning bulletins recommending maintenance.[72] [73] Following the lawsuit against the operator, Eyerly Aircraft's insurance premiums increased and became unaffordable; the company filed for bankruptcy and closed in 1990. The rights to their rides were later purchased by Oregon Rides Inc.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Oregon Aviation Hall of Fame . Oregon Aviation Historical Society . 2015-07-12.
  2. Eyerlys Keep Eyes in Air for Well-Grounded Ideas . Abbott, Sam . The Billboard . June 30, 1951 . 2015-07-12 . 91 .
  3. Western Flying Magazine . Eyerly Invents "Loop-O-Plane" . 13 . 1933 . Occidental Publishing Company . 24.
  4. News: Loop-o-Plane, Octopus and Rolloplane . Daily Capital Journal. May 6, 1939. 12. Newspapers.com. July 12, 2015.
  5. Web site: Rock O Plane . Amusement Ride Extravaganza . ride-extravaganza.com . 2015-07-12 .
  6. Web site: Rock-O-Plane . Lewellen Amusements . lewellenamusements.com . 2015-07-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100324161405/http://www.lewellenamusements.com/Rock.html . March 24, 2010.
  7. Web site: Amusement & Carnival Rides by Manufacturer . The Flat Joint . flatrides.com . 2015-07-12 .
  8. Web site: Go-Karts, Miniature Golf, Bumper Boats, Video and Redemption Games and more! - All Star Adventures. www.allstarwichita.com. 2020-04-12.
  9. Web site: All Star Adventures - Rock-o-Plane. www.themeparkreview.com. 2020-04-12.
  10. Web site: All Star Adventures - Spider. www.themeparkreview.com. 2020-04-12.
  11. Web site: Freddie The Fish. Arnolds Park. en-US. 2020-04-09.
  12. Web site: Rock-O-Plane. Arnolds Park. en-US. 2020-04-23.
  13. Web site: Roll-O-Plane. Arnolds Park. en-US. 2020-04-23.
  14. Web site: Arnolds Park - Spider. www.themeparkreview.com. 2020-04-23.
  15. Web site: Blue Sky Amusements - NY & NJ Carnival Rides - View Ride Details: Dragon Loops. www.mwdwebdesign.com. Matt's Web Design-. Blue Sky Amusements. 2019-11-16.
  16. Web site: New rides open on Daytona Boardwalk. Zaffiro-Kean. Eileen. Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. en. 2020-04-12.
  17. News: Ferocious fun, Busch-style. Albright. Mark. September 7, 2007. Tamba Bay Times. November 16, 2019.
  18. Web site: Rides and Attractions. 2020-07-07. www.clshows.com.
  19. Web site: The Lobster. Great America Parks. April 11, 2020.
  20. Web site: Three hospitalized after Spider ride collapses at Camden Park. Herald-DispatchHerald-Dispatch.com. 2011/The. The Herald-Dispatch. en. 2019-12-03.
  21. Web site: The aviation pioneer that invented Kings Island's Monster - Kings Island. www.visitkingsisland.com. en. 2020-04-09.
  22. Web site: Carowinds: The Early Years. carowindsearlyyears.com. 2019-11-16.
  23. Web site: Castle Park - Rides & Attractions. Castle Park. en. 2019-11-13.
  24. Web site: A new Gemini Midway highlights a new season at Cedar Point. Theme Park Insider. 2020-04-16.
  25. Web site: Monster Cedar Point. www.cedarpoint.com. en. 2019-11-16.
  26. News: Coney Island 'All Set' for Decoration Day Crowds. May 26, 1968. The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 16, 2019.
  27. Web site: Deggeller Attractions - Clown Fish. www.mwdwebdesign.com. Matt's Web Design-. Deggeller Attractions. en. 2020-04-09.
  28. Web site: Whales Kids' Ride - DelGrosso's Amusement Park PA. www.mydelgrossopark.com. 2019-11-17.
  29. Web site: Monster Dorney Park. www.dorneypark.com. en. 2020-04-12.
  30. Web site: Ride Attractions at EsselWorld. EsselWorld. April 11, 2020.
  31. Web site: EsselWorld - Monster. www.themeparkreview.com. 2020-04-12.
  32. News: Findsen. Owen. May 17, 1987. Tristate boasts coaster to coaster thrills this year. The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 7, 2020.
  33. Web site: Futrell. James. Ohio's Fantasy Farm Auctioned After Twenty-Eight Years. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070222025226/http://fantasyfarm.org/Defunct%20Amusement%20Parksauction.htm. February 22, 2007. November 7, 2020. Fantasy Farm Memorial Website.
  34. Web site: Spider. 2017-08-01. Fun Spot America Atlanta. en-US. 2019-11-16.
  35. Web site: Bulgy the Goldfish Gilroy Gardens. www.gilroygardens.org. en. 2020-04-09.
  36. Web site: Hammerl Amusements - Buffalo, NY - Rides Gallery. www.hammerlamusements.com. en. 2019-11-16.
  37. Web site: Monster [Hersheypark] 1972-1982]. Michelson. Harry. 2016-07-28. The Amusement Parkives. en-US. 2020-04-12.
  38. Web site: Dancer's Fish. Holiday World. en-US. 2019-12-20.
  39. Web site: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. www.facebook.com. en. 2019-12-20.
  40. Web site: History. Hydro Free Fair. en. 2019-11-16.
  41. Book: Shale. Rick. Idora Park: The Last Ride of Summer. Jacques. Charles Jr.. Amusement Park Journal. 1999. 0961439262.
  42. Web site: Drew Expositions - Kiddie Amusement Rides. www.drewexpo.com. 2019-11-15.
  43. Web site: Eyerly Loop-O-Plane. www.flatrides.com. 2019-11-16.
  44. Web site: In photos: Kennywood Park then and now. 2019-05-03. WTAE. en. 2019-11-16.
  45. Book: Rutherford, Scott. Kings Dominion. Arcadia Publishing. 2015. 978-1-4671-2301-3. Charleston, South Carolina. 30.
  46. Web site: Monster Kings Island. www.visitkingsisland.com. en. 2019-11-16.
  47. Web site: Satellite. www.knoebels.com. 2021-11-05.
  48. Web site: Bulgy Lagoon. www.lagoonpark.com. en-US. 2020-04-09.
  49. Web site: Lake Winnepesaukah ride victim's family speaks to NewsChannel 9 about ordeal. Sneed. Calvin. 2016-07-20. WTVC. 2020-04-09.
  50. Web site: Eyerly Fly-O-Plane. www.flatrides.com. 2019-11-16.
  51. Web site: Lakemont Park - Monster. www.themeparkreview.com. 2020-04-11.
  52. Web site: Lakemont Park - Octopus. www.themeparkreview.com. 2020-04-11.
  53. Web site: Spider - Luna Park Melbourne - Offride. Mitty Theme Parks. March 29, 2015. YouTube. May 1, 2020.
  54. Web site: www.mwdwebdesign.com. Matt's Web Design-. Willie the Whale. 2020-06-19. Michael's Amusements - Providing Carnival Rides, Games & Food from North Carolina to Florida. en.
  55. News: P.O.P Go the Bubbles at... Pacific Ocean Park!. Shaw. Scott. Spring 2019. Retro Fan. November 15, 2019.
  56. Web site: Kiddie Rides. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. April 9, 2020.
  57. Web site: Vintage photos: Remembering Houston's Six Flags AstroWorld on National Roller Coaster Day. 2017-08-16. HoustonChronicle.com. en-US. 2020-04-12.
  58. Web site: Past Attractions Six Flags Over Texas. SFOT Source. en-US. 2019-11-16.
  59. Web site: Jet Scream, MoMo the Monster, Mule-Go-Round and more: Six Flags attractions of yore. stltoday.com. en. 2019-11-16.
  60. Web site: Bulgy the Whale. www.skerbeckcarnival.com. en. 2020-04-09.
  61. Web site: CPSC Wants "Monster" Ride Inspected For Defects. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 4 July 2016. en. 2020-04-12.
  62. News: Paint-covered crack at joint caused fatal rise mishap. November 26, 1988. News-Press. November 16, 2019.
  63. Web site: Midway Rides at Sylvan Beach Amusement Park. sylvan-beach-park. en. 2019-11-16.
  64. Web site: Tinkertown Family Fun Park Winnipeg, Manitoba Amusement Rides and Games – Rides & Attractions. en-US. 2020-04-09.
  65. Spring 2020. Upper Clements 1989-2019. NAPHA Chronicle. V41 N1. 25.
  66. Web site: Monster Valleyfair. www.valleyfair.com. en. 2019-11-16.
  67. Web site: Worlds of Fun Gone but Not Forgotten. www.worldsoffun.org. 2019-11-16.
  68. Web site: Bulgy the Whale. Wade Shows, Inc. . 8 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220811143840/https://wadeshows.com/attraction-details.asp?rideID=199&type=kiddie . 11 August 2022 . dead.
  69. Web site: ABOUT US - Thomas Amusements | amusement park | rides |family activities | Newfoundland.
  70. News: Salem man built carnival ride empire . Lynn . Capi . . August 31, 2008 . June 14, 2017.
  71. News: Walker . Donn . Fracture Found in Ride That Killed Broward Teen . updated July 28, 2021. The Orlando Sentinel . November 25, 1988.
  72. Web site: Family of girl killed at youth fair sues for $10 million . UPI Archives . April 6, 2020 . December 8, 1988.
  73. News: Banker . Dana . U.S. Says Ride Owner Knew of Danger . April 8, 2020 . Sun Sentinel . May 24, 1989.

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