The Flying Cobras

The Flying Cobras is a steel roller coaster at Carowinds that takes riders forward and backward through a track featuring three inversions at speeds of 47 miles per hour. The coaster stands 116 feet tall with a 108-foot drop, and passengers experience each inversion twice during a single ride.

The coaster was originally built in 1996 as The Mind Eraser at Geauga Lake in Ohio following Vekoma design principles. It was relocated to Carowinds in 2009 where it first operated as Carolina Cobra before receiving its current name in 2017.

The name Flying Cobras references traditional air shows that were once performed in the Carolina County Fair section of the park. Visitors can still sense this history reflected in the ride's identity today.

Riders must meet a minimum height requirement of 48 inches and are secured with over-the-shoulder restraints for safety during inversions. It is best to secure loose items and familiarize yourself with safety instructions before boarding the ride.

What makes this ride unusual is that passengers travel not only forward but also backward during their journey through the course. This backwards motion creates an unexpected element that sets it apart from typical coaster experiences.

Location: South Carolina

Part of: Carowinds

GPS coordinates: 35.10260,-80.94290

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:41