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 hill.[5] Once at the top, the train goes down a steep, banked turn to the right where it enters the first inversion element - a rollover. A rollover first features an Immelmann loop quickly followed by a Dive Loop[6] Upon exit from this element, the train goes up a hill which features some banking at the top before descending and approaching the ride's next inversion - a 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] From the exit of this sidewinder, the train goes into a sharp helix before entering the ride's final two inversions - inline twists. These two twists are followed one after the other. A banked curve to the right 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 for "footchoppers".

Vekoma have also manufactured two custom Suspended Looping Coasters: Fly - The Great Nor'easter at Morey's Piers (which is really just a standard SLC with custom station and supports) 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. Poorly maintained, 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 three known places to have these trains are Morey's Piers,[9] Isla Magica in Spain and Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA. 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.