{"id":4430,"date":"2016-07-19T15:00:46","date_gmt":"2016-07-19T21:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lagoonhistory.com\/project\/?page_id=4430"},"modified":"2026-02-20T17:19:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T00:19:42","slug":"rock-o-plane","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lagoonhistory.com\/project\/attractions\/rock-o-plane\/","title":{"rendered":"Rock-O-Plane"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Rock-O-Plane sign in 2001.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Opened: 8 May 1954
Location: South Midway
Manufactured By: Eyerly Aircraft – Salem, Oregon
Ride Model: Rock-O-Plane
Max Height: 45 ft
Number Of Cabins: 8
Ride Capacity: 16 (2 per cabin)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eyerly Aircraft was famous for making rides that simulated flying. The Roll-O-Plane was based on an Immelmann turn and the Octopus re-created the feeling of diving or hitting an air pocket. These were successful for many years, but it wasn’t until 1948 that Eyerly introduced a ride that wasn’t based on aviation. Rock-O-Plane was a more thrilling spin on the classic Ferris Wheel. Riders were able to rock and roll their cars as they wished or lock them in place in any position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Illustration of Rock-O-Plane’s movement and safety mechanism from the July 1949 issue of Popular Science Monthly.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

LAGOON’S ROCK-O-PLANE<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In an effort to get the park running again after a devastating fire in November 1953, Lagoon built new buildings and purchased several small rides in time for the 1954 season. Three of those rides were from Eyerly Aircraft \u2014 the Roll-O-Plane, Octopus and Rock-O-Plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1954 aerial photo showing Rock-O-Plane just south of Roller Coaster, facing The Whip. Photo courtesy of Deseret News<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The photo above shows the Rock-O-Plane where it opened in 1954, just south of the rebuilt Roller Coaster station. The ride has stayed close to the same general area on the South Midway since then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Riding Rock-O-Plane in May 1954. Photo: The Salt Lake Tribune<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Mother Gooseland opened in 1956, the Flying Jets (now known as Flying Aces) took the spot just south of the Roller Coaster station and Rock-O-Plane was shifted down the Midway, roughly where the Basketball game is today. Until at least 1964, Rock-O-Plane was on the very end of the Midway facing north. (At that time the Midway didn’t extend past the what is now Teriyaki Stix). By 1967 it could be found west of The Rockets facing Speedway, Sr. It was finally placed in its current location around 1972.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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