Jaw-dropping footage captures world record for heaviest plane to complete a loop
- The record was set with a Lockheed Martin LM-100J
- The LM-100J is the civilian version of the Super Hercules the USAF uses
- The pilot attempted the record over 120 times using a simulator
Published on Jul 24, 2024 at 6:55 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Jul 25, 2024 at 11:51 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The Lockheed Martin LM-100J is the heaviest plane to perform an aerobatic loop.
Aerobatic loops aren’t that difficult if the aircraft is lightweight and the pilot knows what they’re doing.
But in this case, the aircraft is not lightweight at all.
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The record was set in 2018 at the Farnborough International Air Show, an international airshow that takes place every year in July.
This year’s edition is taking place in Farnborough, UK, this week, by the way.
The record hasn’t been beaten in six years, and it’s unlikely to be beaten in the near future.
The heaviest plane to complete the loop has a familiar ‘face’
Built by Lockheed Martin, the LM100J is the civilian version of the C130J Super Hercules transport plane several armed forces use.
Among others, it is used by the US Air Force Blue Angels, and it recently set another record – so to speak – after making the first-ever flight with external fuel tanks under its wings.
It’s incredibly heavy, with an operating empty weight of 36,740 kilograms, equivalent to around 81,000 pounds.
The incredible preparation behind the record
The record was set by Lockheed test pilot Wayne Roberts and his co-pilot Steve Knoblock, both from the US.
Roberts retired right after setting the record, but he had extensive experience with this plane.
He had been flying the LM-100J since 1998 and had over 40 years worth of experience with similar turboprop aircraft before the LM-100J.
Roberts practiced the maneuver over 120 times in the simulator before attempting it in the real world with a real aircraft.
It was worth it, though.
The record was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, and it is going to be nigh on impossible to beat it.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
