Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum
General Aviation Discussion => Spotting Trips => Topic started by: rookie on June 17, 2023, 05:06:04 PM
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Well guys as in the title I've been wanting to visit Mach loop for some time and me and mate are looking to see what advise or tips anyone has for visiting. We would be heading for the day only so we looked at the boat and it's scary money so it'll probably be cheaper to fly and hire a car. Is there any specific days or months to avoid or aim for? Assuming a Friday is to be avoided as I know the RAF like to be finished up early on a Friday from speak with a pilot (how I knew he was still in his flying suit) at Mcdonalds on Fri afternoon waiting for the ferry .
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It's really pot luck. You can have days with nothing and then days with lots.
RAF fast jets except the Hawk are actually still banned from going through the loop I believe, after an incident during Covid. A typhoon pilot decided to put on a little display going through the loop with a high performance take off style routine followed by some rolls.
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That`s somewhere I would like to visit as well, I haven`t heard anything about that Typhoon incident, plenty of recent videos on youtube featuring fast jets so maybe ban was lifted?
I don`t think I could manage the climb up the hills mind you, I would need a helicopter. :)
These folk should be able to help you out........]Mach Loop, Lake District & Low Level Photography Group | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/365773814672848/?locale=en_GB)
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Damn, the incident was in 2018 not covid times.
https://twitter.com/dunibear/status/1054332235808161793
FOI request said RAF had scaled back their flights in the loop following the incident. Guessing it has been reviewed now. Apologies, I thought it was more recent than 2018.
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No problem, thing is, if a enthusiast captures something like that, they should have the wit not to post it, that was very low, nothing wrong with the spiral bug-out, that`s what they are meant to do if it`s going wrong, just the spirals were a bit OTT. :)
I don`t think I have seen video of RAF F-35`s in the loop yet, just the LN boyos .look for Elwyn R, Daffyd Philips and Darren Edwards clips, they are pretty good.
No Jones the Steam mind you. LOL
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I have family just outside Machynlleth and I've never stayed with them! Mind you I've also a mate from whose garden you can watch arrivals/departures at Duxford who has offered me a bed anytime I want it and I've yet to visit him either.