SkyLoop

This article is about the model from Maurer Rides. For the specific double-inversion, see Skyloop (element).

SkyLoop

Status	In production
Number built	10
First built	Sky Wheel (2004)
Latest built	Terror Twister (2015)
Statistics
Manufacturer	Maurer Rides, Germany
Type	Steel
Propulsion	Vertical chain lift hill
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SkyLoop is a line of steel sit-down roller coasters manufactured by Maurer AG. There are currently 9 SkyLoops operating worldwide, 8 of which are the smallest XT 150 model, and the other is the larger XT 450 (Abismo, which opened in 2006). Three other models are available (XT 900, Custom and Launch), but they have yet to be built.

Variants

There are currently five versions available: XT 150, XT 450, XT 900, Custom and Launch.

XT 150

This is the smallest model available, and the only one to be built more than once. It has a track length of 492 feet, reaches heights of 152 feet and has a maximum speed of 65.3 mph).

The entire ride is made up of the "SkyLoop" element, which features two inversions. After leaving the station, the train climbs the vertical chain lift hill. Upon reaching the top of the hill, the train turns 45 degrees backwards, putting riders in an upside-down position. Once it leaves the lift, it goes through a downward heartline roll before going down the only drop in the layout of the coaster. The train speeds through the station and back up the lift, before losing momentum and travelling backwards through the station. It goes up the lift and partially through the heartline roll, and losing momentum. It travels through the station again and partially up the lift. This time, it is stopped, and lowered slowly back to the station, ready for the next riders to board.

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

The XT 450 starts the same way as the XT 150, with the vertical lift, downward heartline twist, and drop. Instead of going through the station, it passes it at maximum speed, and goes round a tight left over-banked turn. After the turn, the train goes over the only cammelback/airtime hill, followed by another left over-banked 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 and Custom

Layout of the XT 900

The SkyLoop Custom and XT 900 have yet to be built. This model can be changed to fit the park's needs, space and budget.

The XT 900 is an example of what layouts are possible. It begins by following the layout of the XT 150, with the vertical lift, downward heartline twist, and drop, but instead of going back through the station, it speeds past it, and into a series of twists and over-banked turns, a vertical loop and a cobra roll.

Launch

The SkyLoop launch concept is also yet to be built. The design can be incorporated with the XT 150, 450,900 or Custom models, as the launch takes place on the vertical lift hill. 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.

Specification

Variation	Statistics								Installations
	Height (track)	Height (structure)	Speed	Length	Inversions	Duration	G Force	Cars/train
XT 150	151 feet	170 feet	65 mph	192 feet	2	0:50	5	2	9
XT 450	151 feet	170 feet	65 mph	1,345 feet	4	1:03	4	2	1
XT 900	151 feet	170 feet	65 mph	2,837 feet	7	1:12	4	2-3	0

Maurer Rides GmbH also offers custom layouts and launched lift hills on their website.

Installations

The roller coasters are ordered in order of when they opened.

Name	Amusement park	Location	Model	Opened	Status
Sky Wheel	Skyline Park	Bad Wörishofen, Bavaria, Germany	XT 150	October 2004	Operating
X Coaster	Magic Springs and Crystal Falls	Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA	XT 150	May 27, 2006	Operating
Abismo	Parque de Atracciones de Madrid	Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain	XT 450	June 27, 2006	Operating
Ukko	Linnanmäki	Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland	XT 150	May 27, 2011	Operating
Clouds of Fairyland	World Joyland	Wujin, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China	XT 150	August 5, 2011	Operating
BuzzSaw	Dreamworld	Coomera, Queensland, Australia	XT 150	September 17, 2011	Operating
Hidden Anaconda	Happy Valley	Wuhan, Hubei, China	XT 150	April 29, 2012	Operating
Terror Twister	Fantawild Adventure	Tong'an, Xiamen, Fujian, China	XT 150	October 2012	Operating
Terror Twister	Fantawild Adventure	Zhongmu, Zhengzhou, Henan, China	XT 150	October 1, 2012	Operating
Terror Twister	Nantong Adventure Land	Gangzha, Nantong, Jiangsu, China	XT 150	April 29, 2013	Operating

A clone of the SkyLoop is offered by the Chinese company Beijing Shibaolai Amusement Equipment. The first installation was Magic Ring Vertical Coaster at Chuanlord Holiday Manor. This clone uses over-the-shoulder restraints rather than hip restraints.