It is one of the best places in the UK to watch military jets swoop through spectacular scenery.
The Mach Loop is a well-known area of mid Wales where fast jet aircraft pilots practice low-level flying.
Hundreds of people from across the country and Europe make their way to the hills between Machynlleth and Dolgellau to capture incredible photographs of aircraft twisting and turning through the valleys.
“It’s the best free day out you’ll ever have,” said David Lister, an amateur photographer from Newtown. “Stunning scenery and fast jets and good company. I’ve met some really good friends from all corners of UK and Europe too.”
RAF Red Arrows
They are known as one of the world’s best aerobatic display teams and, if you are lucky, you may get to see them flying once or twice a year in the Mach Loop.
The distinctive Hawk jets are based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire and have flown almost 5,000 displays in 57 countries.
USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon
According to the US Air Force, this compact, multi-role fighter aircraft is "highly manoeuvrable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack".
“It can locate targets in all weather conditions and detect low flying aircraft in radar ground clutter.
"The F-16 can fly more than 500 miles, deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point.”
RAF Lockheed Hercules (C-130)
Described as the “backbone” of UK operations, Hercules is the RAF’s primary tactical transport aircraft. It is frequently used to operate in countries or regions where there is a threat to aircraft.
To conduct missions, the RAF says it is “vital” that Hercules crews are highly-skilled in low-level flying.
Hercules is based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
RAF Typhoon
This combat aircraft is used for air policing, peace support and high-intensity conflict.
A description on the RAF website says: "Although Typhoon has flown precision attack missions in all its combat deployments to date, its most essential role remains the provision of quick reaction alert (QRA) for UK and Falkland Islands airspace.”
The aircraft is based at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, north-east Scotland, and RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
RAF Hawk T2
The world-class aircraft based at RAF Valley on Anglesey in north Wales is used to train pilots.
The RAF says the T2 and wider training system at RAF Valley have proven “exceptional”.
USAF F-15 Eagle
The US Air Force describes the jet as an “all-weather, extremely manoeuvrable, tactical fighter” designed to “gain and maintain air supremacy” over the battlefield.
The fighter jet can reach speeds of up to 1,875 mph and costs between £20 million and £21.5 million.
The jets are flown by the 492nd Fighter Squadron (492nd FS), nicknamed "the Bolars" and "the Madhatters", which is based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.
USAF CV-22 Osprey
The US Air Force aircraft is used in high-risk combat environments to rescue downed pilots and drop and collect special operations forces behind enemy lines.
It is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical take-off, hover, and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter.
RAF Atlas C.1 (A400M)
The Atlas can carry a 37-tonne load over 2,000 nautical miles, and can do "impressive" low-level flying, according to the Royal Air Force.
It can carry as many as 116 fully-equipped troops; vehicles; helicopters, including a Chinook; mixed loads, including nine aircraft pallets and 54 passengers.
The aircraft is based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, and is flown by the 206 Squadron, LXX Squadron and the XXIV Squadron.
AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter
The Army says it is designed to find and destroy air defence units, tanks and armoured vehicles.
A description on the Ministry of Defence website says: "The Apache can detect and classify up to 256 potential targets, display 128 of these to the crew and prioritise the top 16 threats, all in a matter of seconds.
"It carries a mix of weapons that include a 30mm chain gun, 70mm rockets and Hellfire missiles to provide choice for the commander and flexibility during the mission."
An Apache helicopter can reach speeds of up to 205 miles per hour.
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