Loop

The Loop strategy is a 3D strategy, operating in the wind frame, in which the aircraft performs a loop. The Loop Angle defines the total pitch angle of the loop that the aircraft flies. From the drop-down menu, select whether you want to define the angle as an Absolute value or Relative to the aircraft’s pitch angle at the start of the maneuver. If you specify an absolute loop angle greater than 360 degrees, then the aircraft will complete one full loop and then continue looping until it reaches a pitch angle that equals the remainder of the value specified; in other words, the aircraft will stop the maneuver at the second time that it achieves the specified loop angle.

If you are using an Absolute value for the Loop Angle and the angular difference between the Loop Angle and the aircraft's flight path angle is very small (less than a few degrees), the resulting flight segment could be imperceptible. If this occurs, STK's Aviator capability will issue a warning in the Message Viewer.

You can define the Load Factor on the aircraft at the top and bottom of the loop.

Airspeed

Select Hold Initial TAS True Airspeed: the speed that the aircraft is moving relative to the airmass that it is flying in. to maintain the true airspeed of the aircraft at the beginning of the procedure throughout the maneuver. Otherwise, manually define Top of loop and Bottom of loop airspeeds and select a reference - true airspeed (TAS), calibrated airspeed (CAS Calibrated Airspeed: the speed reported by the airspeed indicator, corrected for position and instrument error.), equivalent airspeed (EAS Equivalent Airspeed: the airspeed at sea level (International Standard Atmosphere) at which the dynamic pressure is equal to the dynamic pressure at the aircraft's current true airspeed and altitude.), or Mach The ratio of the aircraft's speed and the speed of sound at the aircraft's altitude, with local atmospheric conditions. number - from the Airspeed type drop-down menu.