looping the loop
Full aerial rotation
Looping the loop is performing a complete vertical circle—an aircraft flies up, over, and back down in a continuous arc.
The phrase comes from roller coasters and early aviation stunts.
It applies figuratively to any circular or dizzying maneuver: My stomach was looping the loop on that ride.
- Immelmann turnAerobatic direction-reversing climb
- barrel rollFull-axis aircraft rotation
- wingoverAerial half-loop turn
- gyroscopic stabilityBalance from angular momentum
- OuroborosTail-biting serpent symbol
centripetal force · tailspin · angular momentum · torque · aerodynamic drag · visual spectacle · snap roll · aerial acrobatics · repetition · kinetic energy · closed circuit · g-force · roller coaster · theme park ride · iterative process · gravity well · stunt flying · perpetual motion