SkyLoop

SkyLoop is a type of steel roller coaster manufactured by Maurer AG. There are currently 10 SkyLoops operating worldwide, nine of which are identical XT 150 models, and one of which is an extended XT 450 model. The first SkyLoop to open was Sky Wheel in 2004 (XT 150) while the sole XT 450, Abismo, opened in 2006. There are also three other models—XT 900, Custom, and Launch—which have no installations.

History
The world's first SkyLoop, Sky Wheel, opened in 2004 and is currently located at Skyline Park in Germany. Sky Wheel is a XT 150 model. This would continue to be the only model of the SkyLoop to be built until 2006 when Abismo at Parque de Atracciones de Madrid in Spain was built. Abismo is a SkyLoop XT 450 (an extension to the XT 150) and remains the only XT 450 to have been built. Since then, only XT 150's have been built around the world. Maurer Söhne also have 3 additional models of the SkyLoop: XT 900 (extension to XT 150), Custom, and Launch (uses the XT 150 layout where the train gets launched up the lift hill), although none have been built.

Models
The SkyLoop consists of five models: XT 150, XT 450, XT 900, Custom, and Launch. However, only the XT 150 and XT 450 have been produced, and only one version of the latter has been constructed.

XT 150
SkyLoop XT 150 is a 492 ft roller coaster that reaches a maximum height of 171 ft (the actual track reaches 164 ft) and a top speed of 65 mph. This model also has two inversions and uses a single train featuring 2 X-Cars that seat 6 people each.

After the train departs from the station, it immediately begins to climb the vertical (90 degree) lift hill. Upon reaching the top of the lift, the train turns 45 degrees backwards putting the train and its riders in an upside down position. Then, as the train exits the lift, it goes through a heartline roll before going down the only drop in the layout of the roller coaster. The train speeds through the station going back up the lift. Once it loses momentum the train then returns down passing through the station again. It then proceeds back up the drop and partially into the heartline roll before once again losing momentum and returning to the ground. After passing the station for the third time, the train is stopped near the top of the lift hill. It is then lowered back down to the station where the next riders board the train. The XT 150 has the option of sending riders around a second cycle at the operator's discretion. When the train stops on the lift hill at the end of the ride, instead of lowering slowly back to the station, the chain will raise the car up and send it through the ride again.

XT 450
SkyLoop XT 450 is a 1476 ft roller coaster that reaches a maximum height of 160.7 ft (the actual track reaches 151.6 ft) and a top speed of 65 mph. This model is an extension of the XT 150, and the beginning track is of the same design. The XT 450 has 4 inversions and also uses a train made up of 2 X-Cars that seat 6 people each.

The roller coaster begins the same way that the XT 150 model does. After the train departs from the station, it immediately begins to climb the vertical (90 degree) lift hill. Upon reaching the top of the lift, the train turns 45 degrees backwards putting the train and its riders in an upside down position. After, as the train exits the lift, it goes through a heartline roll. The train enters the first drop where it reaches its maximum speed of 65 mph before traversing a tight left overbanked turn. After the turn, the train goes over the only camelback hill followed by another left overbanked turn. The train then follows a flat section of track before going down a small drop leading into the station and back up the lift where the train stops. The train is then lowered back down to the station where the next riders board the ride.

XT 900
SkyLoop XT 900 is a concept that has yet to be built. The design of model begins the same way as the XT 150 does as the lift, first inversion, and first drop are all present in both models. Along with the elements from the XT 150 model, the XT 900 includes a series of turns, overbanked turns, a loop, and a cobra roll.

Custom
SkyLoop Custom is a concept that also has yet to be built. The design of this model is based on the SkyLoop XT 150 with an extension of what the particular amusement park wants. Roller coasters of this model can vary from one another.

Launch
SkyLoop Launch is a concept that has also yet to be built. This design can be incorporated with the XT 150, 450, 900, and Custom models as the "launch" takes place where the normal lift would be. The top speed of the launch would be 27 mph and is driven by linear synchronous motors (LSM). If this concept were to be built, not only would it have the world's highest inversion, but also the world's highest vertical launch.

Installations
Maurer AG has built ten SkyLoops. Nine are SkyLoop XT 150s while one is a SkyLoop XT 450. The roller coasters are listed in order of opening dates.

Similar rides
Premier Rides has installed several versions of the Sky Rocket II model, which is similar to the SkyLoop; these include Superman: Ultimate Flight. In addition, several Chinese SkyLoops have been made.