Has anyone here ever been to the mach loop ? Is it worthwhile, can I fly through or is it military danger zone, etc…. ?
Here’s a video that made me think it could be a worthwhile trip, even if it only means to fly near there and take a rental car… now with Top Gun II coming out and all ;)
The loop is situated within operational low flying area LFA7(T). It’s class G, so check the MoD’s Operational Low Flying timetable here, squawk 7000 and fill your boots. 
P.S. We’re in LFA20(T) which is similar but not so Welsh. One can keep out of the way of most of the fast jets by staying below 250 ft AGL.
What is special about the Mach loop? Do you get some legal concession to fly below the 500ft min spacing from people etc?
I recall @chrisparker flying through there.
I think quite the opposite. The Welsh loop is chock full of people with fancy cameras, so it behoves one to be scrupulous about maintaining 500 ft separation from persons, etc.
There are similar “places to be photographed” in northern Britain:
I just wonder why this place is famous. Is it the photos of the military traffic one can get?
LFA7(T), usually active from 11am to 12am on weekdays, so I never had the chance to be there but gliders do ridge soaring there on weekends, why famous no idea but for lazy people Cad East is easily accessible by car and short walk/climb ?
Peter wrote:
just wonder why this place is famous. Is it the photos of the military traffic one can get?
I think it is one of the few places where you can see fighters at high speed barrelling through a valley and take fotos and videos from it. Similar to a spot in the grand canyon. Perhaps I am the only one here fascinated by these fighter planes :)
Perhaps I am the only one here fascinated by these fighter plane :)
No, you are certainly not the only one. Fighter planes are fascinating. I vividly remember two F16s of the Greek Air Force over flying us at about 100 ft when we were holidaying on Crete…fascinating experience. The Mach Loop will probably offer similarly exciting close encounters.
If I had the time and money to, I would love to get checked out in an L35 or similar someday (IIRC JasonC has done that)…
MedEwok wrote:
If I had the time and money to, I would love to get checked out in an L35 or similar someday (IIRC JasonC has done that)…
Yep, L-39. Was amazing fun. And I agree. The sound and presence of these aircraft is amazing. The fact you can stand in he Mach loop level with manoeuvring fighters is incredible. I love watching military fighters flying. In Colorado recently, I landed and was parked behind a row of F-18s. They are huge.
You can fly in L39 in France !
What would be the nearest airfield to watch the show at the mach loop ? Is there a particular week of intense activity, or do people just seat all year long without any idea of what will come ?
