Suspended Looping Coaster

There are several different layouts of Suspended Looping Coasters although most feature a similar pattern.[2] The ride starts by taking riders up a 33.3-metre (109 ft) chain lift hill.[5] Once at the top, the train drops down a steep, banked right turn where it enters the first inversion element - a right rollover. A rollover is an Immelmann loop followed by a Dive Loop[6] After exiting this element, the train traverses a tall, banked left turn and approaches the ride's next inversion - a left sidewinder.[5] A sidewinder is similar to an Immelmann loop; however, it features a half-loop followed by a half-corkscrew (rather than an inline twist).[7] After exiting the sidewinder, the train navigates a 270^o right upwards helix before entering the ride's final two inversions - a double inline twist. A banked 90^o turn to the right then turns the train back around to face towards the station. At this point, some models feature an additional helix to the left, while others simply continue straight into the brake run.[5] The standard model also has a relatively compact layout, providing numerous "footchoppers".

Vekoma have also manufactured three custom Suspended Looping Coasters: The Great Nor'easter at Morey's Piers (which is nearly identical to standard SLC, but with a custom station and supports), Kumali at Flamingo Land, and Jubilee Odyssey at Fantasy Island.[8]

• 
  The 765m Extended w/Helix layout
• 
  The 689m Standard, the layout of most Suspended Looping Coasters
• 
  Mind Eraser directly before the rollover
• 
  Mind Eraser's signature rollover
• 
  Mind Eraser directly before the sidewinder
• 
  Mind Eraser preparing to enter its brake run
• 
  Darien Lake's Mind Eraser

Close up of an SLC wheel assembly

Many Suspended Looping Coasters operate with two trains consisting of ten cars, though some operate with as few as seven cars. Poor maintenance, poor track layout or most likely non-exact track manufacturing can cause SLCs riders to experience notoriously painful "head banging", whereby the head hits the Over the Shoulder Restraints. They also use very small plastic seats with little or no room for a person to move. Contrary to popular belief, the wheel spacing on the trains (the 'gaps' between the side friction wheels, up-stop wheels, and the track) adds little to the roughness of these rides. Vekoma is currently manufacturing new trains with convenient hip harnesses. Unlike the first generation of trains, this modification will make the overall ride experience more comfortable. Vekoma also makes vest-like harnesses that allow to rider to sit more comfortably while riding. The only four known places to have these trains are Morey's Piers,[9] Isla Magica in Spain, Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA and Beto Carrero World in Santa Catarina, Brazil. In 2012, Lethal Weapon - The Ride at Warner Bros. Movie World reopened as Arkham Asylum - Shock Therapy. The newly opened ride runs with trains manufactured by Kumbak and uses less restrictive harnesses which are similar, but not identical to, the vest-like restraints found on the SLCs at Morey's Piers and Isla Magica.[10]

The Suspended Looping Coaster is similar in design to other inverted roller coasters, however unlike the four-across seating found on Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) inverted roller coasters, Vekoma SLC's use two-across seating.

• 
  A Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster train seats riders 2 across.
• 
  A Bolliger & Mabillard Inverted Roller Coaster train seats riders 4 across.