maXair is a HUSS Park Attractions Giant Frisbee ride at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, that opened on May 7, 2005. Positioned near the front of the park close to Troika, GateKeeper, and Kiddy Kingdom, it quickly became known as one of the fastest non-coaster rides in the park.
The ride works by spinning a massive circular gondola while simultaneously swinging it back and forth on a pendulum arm, sending 50 riders at a time through a 120-degree arc at speeds up to 70 mph. It is one of only two HUSS Giant Frisbees operating in the United States, the other being Delirium at Kings Island.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
- Manufacturer: HUSS Park Attractions
- Model: Giant Frisbee
- Opened: May 7, 2005
- Height: 140 ft (43 m)
- Top speed: 70 mph (110 km/h)
- Arc: 120 degrees
- Capacity: 1,000 riders per hour
The Ride Experience
Riders board a giant circular gondola that holds up to 50 people at once, secured with an over-the-shoulder ratcheting harness and backup seatbelt. Once the ride begins, the entire gondola spins on its axis while the whole structure swings like a pendulum, sending riders soaring to a height of 140 feet even though the support structure itself stands only about 84 feet tall.
The combination of spinning and swinging through a 120-degree arc at speeds reaching 70 mph creates a disorienting mix of airtime and centrifugal force that lasts about two and a half minutes. Because the ride’s motion depends on momentum built up gradually, the first swings are mild before building to the full-height, full-speed arcs riders remember most.
A Standout Among Flat Rides
When it debuted in 2005, maXair gave Cedar Point a second-generation HUSS Giant Frisbee experience that pushed beyond earlier flat rides in speed and height. Its rarity is part of its appeal: with only two Giant Frisbees operating in the U.S., riders often travel specifically to experience the model at Cedar Point or its sibling, Delirium, at Kings Island.
Despite the growth of record-breaking roller coasters at Cedar Point over the years, maXair has remained a fixture near the park’s entrance, valued for delivering intense G-forces and airtime without the queue times of the park’s marquee coasters.
Explore more: Explore more Cedar Point thrill rides.
maXair Photo Archive: 2005–2007
These are original ThrillZing photos of maXair taken at Cedar Point between 2005 and 2007, restored and upscaled from the original camera files. They show the HUSS Giant Frisbee’s entrance sign and the swinging, spinning gondola against the sky and at night. All photos are free to reuse under a CC BY 4.0 license with credit to ThrillZing and a link to this page.
Small enough to ride with on most coasters, big enough for a phone, card and keys. Two zippers mean nothing falls out upside down.
A fan and a mist in one, rechargeable. Very popular in queue lines once the afternoon sun hits.
Build a working coaster on the kitchen table and learn why the first drop has to be the tallest. A good gift for young coaster fans.
maXair FAQs
How tall is maXair at Cedar Point?
Riders reach a peak height of about 140 feet during the swing, although the ride’s actual support structure is roughly 84 feet tall.
How fast does maXair go?
maXair reaches speeds up to 70 mph as its gondola spins and swings through a 120-degree arc.
When did maXair open at Cedar Point?
maXair opened on May 7, 2005, and was manufactured by HUSS Park Attractions as a Giant Frisbee model.
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Photo: User Vlastula on en.wikipedia, more photos here / CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.