The Mach Loop (also known as the Machynlleth Loop or CAD West among plane spotters) consists of a series of valleys in the United Kingdom in west-central Wales, notable for their use as low-level training areas for fast jet aircraft.
The system of valleys lies 8 miles east of Barmouth and is nestled between the towns of Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south, the latter of which it takes its name from.
The training area is within the Low Flying Area (LFA) LFA7, which covers most of Wales.
Aircraft which use the training area include Royal Air Force Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, Hawk jets and C-130J as well as U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles and F-15E Strike Eagles, which are based at RAF Lakenheath in eastern England.
