Machloop ban

[Campbell89]

I’ve been told that hawks and Texans looped yesterday. However the 48fw seem to be preferring LFA17 (Lake District) at the moment.

[Blackcat1]

Yes they have been quiet in the loop. Saw a few in my local low fly area of southern LFA7 last week though.

[ShropAviation]

I live at the western end of the Lichfield Corridor, and on the SAPCO Route, last year we would frequently have 48FW flying over on their way to LFA7 and the loop but unfortunately it's been extremely quiet this year!

[falconfighting]

The USAF have been politely discouraged from visiting the loop by the RAF. No a ban but a word in the ear if you like.

[pecrow]

i wonder why the USAF have been asked to refrain 16 months after the RAF themselves left? has anything happened recently?

[Blackcat1]

But why? Sucking up to that pain in the arse MP? Or due to the Muppet brigade!? Local b&bs are suffering, spotters are their livelihood ! it's a sad shame

[Green133]

But why? Sucking up to that pain in the arse MP? Or due to the Muppet brigade!? Local b&bs are suffering, spotters are their livelihood ! it's a sad shame

Yes Blackcat it is a shame.It has put an abrupt stop to my hobby.Gutted as I loved going and met some nice people up the hills.Its a long old way up to the lakes for me and certainly not a day trip. Maybe that MP has had more of an effect than I/we thought.

Why is/has it perfectly ok to fly around the lakes,disturbing the locals,wildlife and arguably a bigger tourist industry( who I'd imagine mostly are not aviation enthusiasts).Its a decision that smacks of spitfulness in my opinion.

[Fighterfoto]

Green133 - you make a good point which perhaps indicates the local MP is not the reason for less traffic.

[Green133]

Green133 - you make a good point which perhaps indicates the local MP is not the reason for less traffic.

Its only my latest theory.I've already blamed all the other explanations for the ban!

[Blackcat1]

I think its more of the Muppet brigade than the MP , Hawks are still going through but even they have started to use the Lakes more frequently. Maybe the Eagles are just having a break from the Loop. Didn't they do this a few years ago? I seem to remember them using northern England more for a while. They are still using LFA7 as 2 flew low level in my neck of the woods last week.

[Green133]

Blackcat

As I understand,its just the loop bit of '7' that's out of bounds to front liners.(Not sure about USAF c130's and CV22's.....but they have been also absent so far this year.RAF transport has been very rare also since the initial 'video' ban ).

Yes I noticed LN did have some flights doing higher level work last week over the NWMTA. You also had a couple of Typhoons as well down your way recently didn't you?

The Eagles had a ban a few years ago when their CO at the time, seen something he didn't like.

[Blackcat1]

We had 1 low Typhoon back in January and I think it was Claw flight of F15s that we down here last week.

[AFaviation]

Apollo flight of Typhoons ZK335 and ZK379 were LL on eastern flank of the loop this morning according to reports, transited from Cemmaes North towards Bwlch y Groes.

Not sure if this means the ‘ban’ is over, but it is still part of the loop.

[Discodaz]

Apollo flight of Typhoons ZK335 and ZK379 were LL on eastern flank of the loop this morning according to reports, transited from Cemmaes North towards Bwlch y Groes.

Not sure if this means the ‘ban’ is over, but it is still part of the loop.

Well,this could be potentially good news..

Daz

[Blackcat1]

Still keeping away from the majority of the togs. Saw them use the Dinas-BYG route a couple of times last year. Fingers X though!

[rainers]

Not sure if this means the ‘ban’ is over, but it is still part of the loop.

No, it doesn't mean the ban is over. They'll still avoid the 'loop' photography spots

[Blackcat1]

Watch them all end up at the Red Lion now

[Tooks]

Imagine if a load of photographers were setup at the end of an army firing range, or present every time ships did some exercises.

I think the ongoing ‘ban’ is more to do with the Armed Forces desire to not do all their training on social media, as well as the idea that the Loop was probably leading to some pilots doing things there that perhaps was more about the photos than any training. Think Human Factors.

I stopped going to Cad West a few years back, it was getting overheated with the sheer numbers of photographers/viewers present most days, and whilst it was a good social occasion, it was definitely getting silly with regard to parking and even finding a good viewing point on the hill.

[Discodaz]

The way I see things is,it's not the fault of the photographer for having a passion ,( although we should all know ,some things should not be put on social media),it's the fault of the pilots for showboating.they know better,yet it's the fans that suffer.
I've seen with my own eyes pilots being a little " naughty" so certain togs can get the best shots.
I spoke to a well known pilot not long back and he mentioned they do very little low flying training these days.and he stated it was very unlikely the phoons would be back in the loop again.so,my point with this is,if the usaf are on a temp ban,( like the phoons) it's a possibility they won't return either.
I hope that's not the case as when it's good at the loop, it's fantastic.

Daz

[Blackcat1]

2 Typhoons did Dinas Mawddwy to BYG last Wednesday not a full loop but still in the area.