# Mach Loop
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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mach_Loop
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{{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](/source/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 in [Wales](/source/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](/source/Wales), in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom), notable for their use as [low-level training](/source/Low_flying_military_training) areas for fast aircraft. The system of valleys lies {{convert|8|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} east of [Barmouth](/source/Barmouth) between the towns of [Dolgellau](/source/Dolgellau) to the north and [Machynlleth](/source/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](/source/United_Kingdom_Low_Flying_System) and lies within Low Flying Area 7 (LFA7), which covers all of Wales.[{{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}}]
== Activity ==
Aircraft seen in the area include [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) [Airbus A400M](/source/Airbus_A400M), [Typhoon](/source/Eurofighter_Typhoon), [Hawk](/source/BAE_Hawk), [F-35A/B](/source/Joint_Combat_Aircraft) jets and [Texan T1](/source/Beechcraft_T-6_Texan_II)s, as well as {{nowrap|[U.S. Air Force](/source/United_States_Air_Force)}} [F-15C Eagles](/source/McDonnell_Douglas_F-15_Eagle) and [F-15E Strike Eagles](/source/McDonnell_Douglas_F-15E_Strike_Eagle) which are based at [RAF Lakenheath](/source/RAF_Lakenheath) and [MC-130](/source/MC-130) and [V-22 Osprey](/source/V-22_Osprey) from [RAF Mildenhall](/source/RAF_Mildenhall).[{{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}}] Aircraft from other nations have been sighted training in the Mach Loop, such as [Royal Canadian Air Force](/source/Royal_Canadian_Air_Force) [CT 114 Tutor](/source/Canadair_CT-114_Tutor) (in Snowbird livery) and [CF-18 Hornet](/source/McDonnell_Douglas_CF-18_Hornet), and [F-16 Fighting Falcons](/source/Lockheed_Martin_F-16_Fighting_Falcon) of the [Belgian Air Component](/source/Belgian_Air_Component).[{{cite web |title=Belgian Air Force 1st squadron "Stingers" | date=21 May 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcKdLxF7ixE |publisher=[YouTube](/source/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 }}]
In December 2018, a recommendation was circulated within the [Ministry of Defence](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(United_Kingdom)) (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.[{{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}}]
==Photography==
The Mach Loop is particularly popular with [plane spotters](/source/plane_spotting) and photographers, as it is among the few places in the world where visitors can see combat aircraft flying below them.[{{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 }}] One popular viewing point is the carpark located on the site of [Llyn y Tri Greyenyn](/source/Llyn_y_Tri_Greyenyn).
==See also==
*[Rainbow Canyon (California)](/source/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
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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mach Loop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mach_Loop) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mach_Loop?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.