Pantherian
- Thread starter redsoxfan787
- Start date
Why did they stop using those? ……it’s a switch somewhere nobody cares about hitting isn’t it……
Maybe they were getting complaints about a 300’ tall red beam on the air that isn’t for the use of planes?
You do realize that the red lights are also on the Drop Tower, Windseeker, and the Eiffel Tower. The are there to warn airplanes of tall structures in the area at night.
I don't think this an issue with most commercial jet planes. They are usually several 1000 feet in the air when flying over the park. Especially, if they are landing or taking off from RIC airport 20 miles away.
Those lights are mainly for small private/charter jet and prop planes. Keep in mind the Hanover County Airport is 9-10 miles due south of the park. Seems the park is in the flight path for HCA; hence the warning lights.
As discussed on several other new ride threads, I believe it's standard practice for structures 200' or more above grade to have FAA beacons (though not sure what colors -some radio towers have white lights at certain heights while others have red). Therefore it's highly unlikely this ride would have been constructed without the appropriate FAA paperwork and beacon if required.
305 does have a switch for the lights but it’s on maintenance panel, and I don’t remember if crew members can touch it or not but, the main purpose of the lights on 305 is for if the train gets stuck on the lift and needs an Evac.
I don't think anyone was referring to accessibility lighting for maintenance/evac, but instead the LED chaser lights that went up the lift.
Ohhh I just looked at the night time pov my mistake. I never knew that was a thing on 305, interesting…
What neighbor? They were visible to the west, there's basically nothing in that direction to where the lights would be visible. Looking at a map, there's the park itself, I-95, and it appears to be some light industrial space before Route 1... Then nothing for quite a while. And tbh, you can't really see much of the park from I-95 because of the trees anyways.
There are a few small houses immediately on the other side of I305 per the google maps images. But I can't see that really being bothersome unless they were just absurdly bright which I don't believe they were. I'm kinda bummed as someone jealous of Fury 325 and Orions lightsabers. WHERE IS I305S RED LIGHTSABER I want a sith lord giga coaster at night that is also perfect for wild and twisted I305 really is.
Assuming you're referring to the blue circled buildings - those are to the East/Southeast, behind the lights? They wouldn't have been able to see the chasers since the light panel was mounted on that side of the lift facing riders to the West. Additionally, the structures in the red circle looks to farming/industrial related and not a house.
Plus, I'd have to guess that anyone living in those houses would already either have gotten used to the ride being there or would be complaining constantly about the noise and overall visual impact (though tbh with a bunch of other rides in there same general direction, maybe don't buy a house right next to a theme park if you mind having it that close?).
Otherwise... Light sabers?
Y'all really underestimate how visible I305 is.
Now imagine that glowing red at night.
Now imagine that glowing red at night.
The red circled area, at least, is Kings Dominion's greenhouses.
Most those houses butting up against HP if I recall are rather low income and probably dont have the political influence a better off constituent would.
Most those houses are valued in the $250K range which is decent for that area.
But as it plays for I-305, the lack of any “cover” for the hill from the east hurts it, but the lighting used is really playing into this. They could have done something different and light the first 100 feet, have the lower first hill lit as well.