Blank days, radio frequencies, tracking tools, parking rules, drones and more.
No — and this is the single most important thing to know before you visit. There is no public flying schedule. The RAF does not publish daily flying programmes for the Loop. Activity depends on training commitments at individual bases, weather, exercise schedules, and maintenance. Anyone who tells you they know exactly when aircraft will fly is guessing. Treat every pass as a bonus, not an expectation.
More often than you might expect. Blank days happen even in peak season. Always plan for at least two full days.
Aircraft typically fly during standard RAF working hours: Monday to Friday, roughly 09:00–17:00. No flying on UK bank holidays. USAF aircraft will not fly on US federal holidays. July–September tends to be busiest.
Two tools are widely used: 360 Radar and ADS-B Exchange. Not all military aircraft broadcast ADS-B, but many do. Community Facebook groups give same-day reports from people already on the hills.
Commonly monitored frequencies include:
139.490 – VHF Common 278.000 – NATO Low Level 289.350 – West ICF 128.700 – London Mil Central 133.900 – London Mil West 292.525 – Lichfield Radar 252.874 – Daventry Radar
Monitor responsibly and follow all applicable local laws and regulations.
Uniden Bearcat UBC125XLT – Most popular entry-level airband scanner.
Uniden UBC3500XLT – More advanced wideband scanner with greater memory capacity.
Yupiteru MVT-7100 – Classic wideband receiver known for excellent sensitivity.
No. The Mach Loop sits within active restricted military airspace. Flying a drone in or near LFA7 without specific authorisation is illegal and extremely dangerous. Do not bring a drone.
Use established lay-bys and roadside pull-offs, never block farm gates or passing places. If there is no sensible place to park near your chosen spot, drive further away and walk.
Signal is patchy to non-existent at most hill locations. Do not rely on your phone for navigation. Download OS maps for offline use before leaving home, or carry a paper copy of OS Landranger 124.
The name comes from the nearby town of Machynlleth. "Mach Loop" is an informal name used by enthusiasts for an area in Low Flying Area 7 (LFA7). Machynlleth — sometimes called the ancient capital of Wales — is well worth a visit if you're staying in the area.
The Mach Loop is in mid-Wales, within Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. It sits between Dolgellau, Machynlleth, and Dinas Mawddwy, forming part of Low Flying Area 7 (LFA7). The closest large town and an ideal base for visiting is Machynlleth, which offers shops, accommodation, restaurants, and a fascinating town centre.