Designing Rides

[bradb055]

Like many of you out there I would love to design roller coasters or rides. Does any one know what it takes to be able to do this? I am curently a junior at U.C. taking mechinical engineering classes. I have my assiosiates in Mechanical engineering and aiming for the bachlors degree. Is there a nother field I could look into if I get serious about this?

Also, if this doesnt work out like I plan, what other good jobs could be attained at an amusment park? And dont say ride op or consesions! Its kind of always been a dream of mine to work at an amusment park and be important to their success.

[Beastfreak]

So are you in class of 2006 or 2005? I'm in 2005, also in mechanical at UC.

All it takes to get any job, designing coasters or designing underwear, is usually a degree, an open position in a company, and a resume and interview that makes you more suited than someone else. All you need is mechanical or civil engineering. Most companies just aren't always hiring like larger corporations would be doing, so you can apply, but doesn't mean they even have a job to give you.

[BoddaH1994]

I too, am studying engineering and dream to design rollercoasters one day.

I would recommend the book "The Fantasical Engineer: A Thrillseeker's Guide to Careers in Theme Park Engineering". Don't get me wrong, the content of the book is absolutely worthless, but it does have several pages of contact information for all of the major companies.

[PKIJake]

boodah how is that book.

[PKI Homey]

Not to be negative, but you have chosen a difficult dream, but do not get discouraged. What I mean is, there are only a limited number of coaster manufacturers and designers out there. Therefore, you would be battling against many other applicants and probably some that have experience. I'm sure that many have tried to enter that field in the last 10-15 yrs., so the competition would be tough.

[bradb055]

Yeah I know this is a shot in the dark but hey its worth a try. This is not the only reason that I am attempting to get a Mechanical degree.

By the way I am expected to graduate in 06.

BoddaH1994 I will check into that book sounds great thanks!!!

[fryler87]

being a coaster designer is my dream...im currently a junior in high school and am looking seriously into engineering...probably computer, civil, mechanical or electrical. btw...UC is my top college pick so far behind OSU. as far as getting a job in that field, i know for sure that my chances are slim and none. anyone who has tried to get into that field within the last decade or two has already gotten the job or has been told "sorry, we don't need anymore help." there is always the option of becoming a contractor or working for a contracting company (probably not the largest salary), but it would probably be as good as if not better than designing coasters. another thing to note is that the only coaster companies left in the US are ones like RCCA (dying) and S&S Arrow (ditto) and also Chance-Morgan (could be going soon.) but it is fun to think about it, and if you work hard enough...anything is possible.

YOU WILL MISS 100% OF THE SHOTS YOU DON'T TAKE.

[beastbreakdown]

I herd OSU and UC both have good engineering class's. i wouldn't mind being in that feild of work, but im looking towards the lawyer feild of work or being an architect.

[BoddaH1994]

Woooow... hold up! Just because it's a shot in the dark now doesn't mean it's not likely sometime down the road. I mean, yeah, there are like 10 people on here that want the same job, but this is a PKI site. If you ask any engineering student whether or not they've considered designing rollercoasters for a living, I bet 99% of them had never even thought about it.

Now here's a more viable option than trying to get picked up by Arrow right out of college: Get together with other engineers and come up with a crazy new concept for a rollercoaster i.e. LIM, 4D...whatever. Something that hasn't been done before. Get a patent on the actual design, and then pitch it to say...Premeir. Now, this this is a viable, well-thought-out, physically possible idea, they MIGHT have an interest in it. Now, if they want to use it, they have to pay you royalties (once again, you have the patent) and you'll 100% definitely be on the designing team for whatever coaster they utilize your idea on.

Sounds crazy, but it WILL work. The reason why it takes an engineer to do this is, like they say, you can't put a patent on an idea. You have to have designs, models, CAD drawings, mathmatical equations, etc. It would take a lot of time, effort, and thought, but it is do-able.

Anyway, about the book. It sucks. It's the worst thing written..ever. The only cool thing is the content information. If you choose to buy it, just flip to the back near the index. Don't read the rest of the book because if you CAN read, it's an insult to your intelligence.

-Ryan

[PKI Homey]

I wouldn't say that 99% of people in that degree programs have never considered it. I would say that many coaster enthusiasts as well as engineering graduates have had the same idea. You also forgot to mention that you would need some kind of computer program that would aid in your design and would show G-forces and all of the other calculations that go with it. Not sure what a program like that would cost, but I can't imagine that it would be very cheap, otherwise everyone would be buying it and designing their own coasters.