Mach Loop



The Mach Loop (also known as the Machynlleth Loop, Dolen Mach) is a series of valleys in the United Kingdom in west-central Wales, notable for their use as low-level training areas for fast aircraft. The system of valleys lies 8 mi 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.

Activity
Aircraft seen in the area include Royal Air Force Airbus A400M, Typhoon, Hawk, F-35A/B jets and Texan T1s, as well as 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. 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.

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. Since this time RAF frontline squadrons operating the Typhoon has not flown the Loop. In addition to this all non-UK based aircraft are also prohibited from using the Loop unless part of a UK exercise.

Photography
The Mach Loop is among the few places in the world where photographers can see combat aircraft flying below them. One popular viewing point is the carpark located on the site of Llyn y Tri Greyenyn.

In virtual aviation
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 offers one of the more accurate representations: It uses Bing Maps data to reproduce the contours and appearance of the valley and its surrounding countryside, and has several aircraft available to make the flight.

The free, and open-source simulator FlightGear can use an add-on created by its UK community (FGUK), which provides the player with the challenge of guiding aircraft at high speed through rings that mark the route. The scenario has designated "start" and "finish" points, and each run is timed to let the player know the time per lap.

In 2021 the International Virtual Aviation Organisation staged a special event using the Mach Loop.