Looping swing with parallel rows of seats

A method of operating a mechanical swing for carrying passengers, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a platform (1) with vertical supports (2, 3), the vertical supports having top portions, two parallel outriggers (5) having first and second ends, the parallel outriggers being journaled in rotatable fashion proximate the top portions of the vertical supports (2, 3) so that motor (6) rotates the outriggers (5) about an axle (7), and a passenger gondola (10) suspended by pendulum arms (10a) from the first ends of the parallel outriggers (5) to rotate about a swing axis (11);
• b) locating the outriggers (5) in the vertically downward position so that the first ends of the outriggers (5) are proximate the platform (1);
• c) deflecting the outriggers (5) through an acute angle (.sigma.) in the clockwise direction so that the pendulum arms (10a) of the gondola (10) remain in the vertically downward position;
• d) locking the pendulum arms (10a) in position with respect to the outriggers (5);
• e) rotating the outriggers (5) in the counterclockwise direction;
• and
• f) releasing the pendulum arms (10a) shortly before the outriggers (5) reach the vertically upward position so that the center of gravity of the gondola (10) passes through a vertical plane intersecting the swing axis (11), causing the gondola to execute one rotation about the swing axis (11).