FighterControl

Going to be up near the lakes pretty soon, could anyone help me out and tell me what routes any low flying jets take towards the area? Just so I have an idea of where to look for anything headed there if I can't get chance to go into the valley itself.

I've been looking into this of late myself with a view to a possible visit later this year. I'm planning an aircraft photography week around northern England around September time.

I found quite a bit of info and have prepared this general map of the routes. From what I can see there are just 3 routes, the M6 pass , through Windermere , Thirlmere and Keswick and then the Windermere, Kirkstone Pass and Ullswater route.

I've been looking at the various car parking option an found out some of the viewing locations, I can post maps of those as well if it's of use and would welcome any corrections or additional info. There seems to be far less about LFA17 on the net compared to LFA7 and the loop!

LFA17 location labelled map with routes, rev.A by Andrew Goldsmith, on Flickr

Hope it's of use
Andy

Could I ask which way any aircraft come up to the lakes? I'd imagine jets mostly come from the South East of the UK, would these pass up the West Coast, or along the East Coast turning to the lakes around York?

JaiAviation wrote: ↑

Wed May 17, 2023 8:52 am

Could I ask which way any aircraft come up to the lakes? I'd imagine jets mostly come from the South East of the UK, would these pass up the West Coast, or along the East Coast turning to the lakes around York?

Valley traffic comes across the sea. East Coast traffic varies but usually over from the Dales area.

Spent many days at windermere. They generally come S to N on windermere. I've found a little beach area next to the high street to be good on Windermere.

Chris

Black Mike wrote: ↑

Wed May 17, 2023 9:02 am

Valley traffic comes across the sea. East Coast traffic varies but usually over from the Dales area.

I see, what altitude would this east coast traffic be at? Going to be near Austwick, so might by pushing my luck a bit being right at the bottom of the dales if it's lower altitude.

JaiAviation wrote: ↑

Mon May 15, 2023 6:00 pm

Going to be up near the lakes pretty soon, could anyone help me out and tell me what routes any low flying jets take towards the area? Just so I have an idea of where to look for anything headed there if I can't get chance to go into the valley itself.

They enter from the south grange over sands morecambe bay area,have a look up of gummers how for spotting,its a great location,easy climb say 100 metres from parking locations.

JaiAviation wrote: ↑

Fri May 19, 2023 8:43 pm

Black Mike wrote: ↑

Wed May 17, 2023 9:02 am

Valley traffic comes across the sea. East Coast traffic varies but usually over from the Dales area.

I see, what altitude would this east coast traffic be at? Going to be near Austwick, so might by pushing my luck a bit being right at the bottom of the dales if it's lower altitude.

Often medium level then descend to enter the valleys from the south.

Sorry for the lateness but only just seen this thread about LFA17.

If it is any help, Dunmail Raise is very good for aircraft on the most westerly route flying north between Grasmere and Thirlmere. Basically you need to drive up the A591 to just before the highest point and park in the layby on the left. Then you will need to gain about another 200 feet or so in height by following one of many rough paths up the side of Steel Fell. It is quite steep but well worth the effort on a flying day, although in my experience this LFA is not as busy as the Loop. The sun would be moving round behind you from about 11am onwards. Just be careful not to lose balance when standing up to pan for shots on passing fighters as they do tend to be vary fast through here - more so than at the Loop. Good luck.

We were in Bowness in April,most traffic including hawks,Texans,typhoons,ospreys and Hercules did see an osprey fly through n-s all though it was late evening.

loobyloo wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 12, 2023 2:58 pm

We were in Bowness in April,most traffic including hawks,Texans,typhoons,ospreys and Hercules did see an osprey fly through n-s all though it was late evening.

In the mach loop aircraft can go the other way round at night so presumably it's the same in the lakes

AlexLee05 wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:52 am

loobyloo wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 12, 2023 2:58 pm

We were in Bowness in April,most traffic including hawks,Texans,typhoons,ospreys and Hercules did see an osprey fly through n-s all though it was late evening.

In the mach loop aircraft can go the other way round at night so presumably it's the same in the lakes

North to South through Dunmail or Thirlmere tends to be helicopters which hug the valley sides or fixed wing on very rare occasions such as the Lancaster or the C130 farewell this year.

AlexLee05 wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:52 am

]

In the mach loop aircraft can go the other way round at night so presumably it's the same in the lakes

I dont know where you have heard this from?

My understanding is that in the Mach Loop, all fixed winged craft "must fly anticlockwise" at all times day and night, however rotary winged such as heli's they can go the other way, i.e. clockwise. . . .

Search "Mach Loop Map" and check the results, all showing anticlockwise.

I have not yet seen fixed wing craft fly anything other than anticlockwise. But I may stand corrected.

AndyXYZ wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 11, 2023 6:01 pm

AlexLee05 wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:52 am

]

In the mach loop aircraft can go the other way round at night so presumably it's the same in the lakes

I dont know where you have heard this from?

My understanding is that in the Mach Loop, all fixed winged craft "must fly anticlockwise" at all times day and night, however rotary winged such as heli's they can go the other way, i.e. clockwise. . . .

Search "Mach Loop Map" and check the results, all showing anticlockwise.

I have not yet seen fixed wing craft fly anything other than anticlockwise. But I may stand corrected.

I can't remember where I heard they the fact they go can go backwards at night however I've seen RAF hercs go the wrong way through cad once. I've also think I've heard reports of a MC130 or CV22 as well

Well you can't argue with MK1 eyeball, if you have seen it then it's either true or you've seen a mistake taking place.

I've only seen military traffic go anticlockwise, but once I saw an elderly gentleman flying a little cesna type of plane south to north between cad East and cad West during the day and some F15's were due