{{Short description|UK low-level aircraft training area}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} {{Use British English|date=June 2017}} [[File:C130 LOOP (14014256031).jpg|thumb|A Lockheed C-130 Hercules passing through the Mach Loop, as photographed from a promontory.]] {{Location map|Wales|relief=1|marksize=8|mark=Red_pog.svg|lat_dir=N|lat_deg=52|lat_min=42|lat_sec=31|lon_dir=W|lon_deg=3|lon_min=50|lon_sec=42|position=right|width=220|float=right|caption=Location<!-- of Mach Loop--> in Wales}}
The '''Mach Loop''' ({{langx|cy|Dolen Mach}}; also known as the '''Machynlleth Loop''', {{langx|cy|Dolen Machynlleth|link=no}}) is a series of valleys in west-central Wales, in the United Kingdom, notable for their use as low-level training areas for fast aircraft. The system of valleys lies {{convert|8|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} east of Barmouth between the towns of Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south, from the latter of which it takes its name. The training area is part of the United Kingdom Low Flying System and lies within Low Flying Area 7 (LFA7), which covers all of Wales.<ref name="MachLoop.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://machloop.co.uk/|title=Mach Loop - UK Low Level Flying by Military aircraft - Mach Loop Wales|website=Machloop.co.uk|access-date=6 November 2021|archive-date=10 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010181839/https://machloop.co.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Activity == Aircraft seen in the area include Royal Air Force Airbus A400M, Typhoon, Hawk, F-35A/B jets and Texan T1s, as well as {{nowrap|U.S. Air Force}} F-15C Eagles and F-15E Strike Eagles which are based at RAF Lakenheath and MC-130 and V-22 Osprey from RAF Mildenhall.<ref name="Mach Loop Info">{{Cite web|url=http://www.lowflymedia.com/info/mach_loop/mach_loop.shtml|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216115409/http://www.lowflymedia.com/info/mach_loop/mach_loop.shtml|url-status=usurped|title=Mach Loop - An Introduction|archive-date=16 December 2011|website=Lowflymedia.com|access-date=6 November 2021}}</ref> Aircraft from other nations have been sighted training in the Mach Loop, such as Royal Canadian Air Force CT 114 Tutor (in Snowbird livery) and CF-18 Hornet, and F-16 Fighting Falcons of the Belgian Air Component.<ref>{{cite web |title=Belgian Air Force 1st squadron "Stingers" | date=21 May 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcKdLxF7ixE |publisher=YouTube |access-date=22 April 2020 |archive-date=25 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925072808/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcKdLxF7ixE&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
In December 2018, a recommendation was circulated within the Ministry of Defence (MoD) which resulted in a reduction in the number of aircraft using the Mach Loop. In addition to this, all non-UK based aircraft are also prohibited from using the Loop unless part of a UK exercise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/mach_loop_lfa_7_review_of_restri|title='Mach Loop' (LFA 7) Review of restrictions - a Freedom of Information request to Royal Air Force|date=3 March 2020|website=WhatDoTheyKnow.com|access-date=6 November 2021|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805122906/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/mach_loop_lfa_7_review_of_restri|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Photography== The Mach Loop is particularly popular with plane spotters and photographers, as it is among the few places in the world where visitors can see combat aircraft flying below them.<ref name="demerly20171117">{{Cite web |url=https://theaviationist.com/2016/04/27/this-awesome-footage-shows-u-s-f-22s-flying-at-low-altitude-through-the-famous-mach-loop-for-the-first-time/ |title=This Awesome Footage shows U.S. F-22s flying at low altitude through the famous Mach Loop for the first time |last=Demerly |first=Tom |date=2017-11-17 |website=The Aviationist |language=en-US |access-date=2019-08-03 }}</ref> One popular viewing point is the carpark located on the site of Llyn y Tri Greyenyn.
==See also== *Rainbow Canyon (California)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Machynlleth Loop}} * [http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/AirSafetyandAviationPublications/MilitaryLowFlying/OperationalLowFlyingTrainingTimetable.htm RAF Low Flying Training Timetables] * [https://machloop.co.uk/ MachLoop.co.uk] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itwdxUm9Pxc Video of several F35 and Hercules C-130 doing the loop] {{Coord|52|42|31|N|3|50|42|W|display=title}}
{{Regions of Wales|state=collapsed}} {{Geography of Wales}}
Category:Geography of Wales Category:Low flying Category:Royal Air Force Category:United States Air Force