Is this a sonic boom
Posted by Different_Subject_37@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 17 comments
Recently I went to the Mach loop in wales and saw 7 f15s which were amazing to see in a span of less than 3 hours. On one of them the noice was genuinely deafening and there was a loud bag at the end which can be heard in the video. My dad seems to think it’s a sonic boom but I don’t think it is because it’s not aloud to do it over civilian areas but I’m not 100% sure. In the car park it did set of many car alarms
BadTraditional401@reddit
You can tell from the video that jet isn't flying anywhere close to Mach 1 so, no.
DCUStriker9@reddit
If it was a sonic boom, you'd also feel it as it went through your body, and the first time, it's weird/discomforting
gazchap@reddit
No, not a sonic boom. As you say, they're not allowed to go supersonic over land (except I imagine in emergencies) -- and certainly not that close to it.
What time did you get to the Mach Loop? I only live 1.5 hours away and I keep meaning to make the trip over one day, but not sure what time I'd need to be there really to guarantee a good spot (plus somewhere to park!)
Annual-Advisor-7916@reddit
Do they never train supersonic flight in the UK? Or only over the sea?
Here in Austria our Eurofighters do fly supersonic during training sessions (say, 1 days training and spread across the country, not between 12am and 1pm, etc...).
Was fun to hear them the first time!
gazchap@reddit
Presumably only over the ocean. AFAIK, going supersonic over land is not permitted for any aircraft in British airspace, unless their mission calls for it (if they're required to get somewhere quickly to intercept hostile aircraft or something)
Different_Subject_37@reddit (OP)
I also live around 1.5 hours to 2 hours away but I left around 8:30 and got there for 10:30 but parking was a nightmare and we got lost on the way. So we ended up getting all the way up the mountain at probably around 11am and left around 2pm but we got incredibly lucky to see what we did. Cast west is where we went and there is a pretty good car park available but on a sunny and busy day like it was I’d be prepared to wait a little bit for car parking
gazchap@reddit
Coolio, thanks for the info. I think when I do eventually go I'll either look to stay somewhere nearby or get there super early.
Different_Subject_37@reddit (OP)
I’ve been twice the first time was exactly one year before the second time which was a funny coincidence.
The first time I didn’t see nearly as much only one typhoon and 2 t6 Texans with no American aircraft showing up. Then this year I saw only American aircraft with 7 f15s and apparently a hawk went by before I showed up and after I left I’m pretty sure some f35s went by which would’ve been pretty cool to see
Jealous_Acorn@reddit
Nope! Sonic boom is intense and impactful. This was just the engine doing their normal sexy thing.
smellzlikeass@reddit
Nope.
Swimming_Way_7372@reddit
"....because it’s not aloud to do it over..." unintended pun. That was a sonic boom if you ask me.
Pale_Plenty_1913@reddit
Didn't look like 700+mph to me, which is how fast you need to go to excede speed of sound.
Swimming_Way_7372@reddit
You're right. It did look slower than that pace. Its certainly a very pronounced noise signature thats for sure. Wonder what it could be.
yumdumpster@reddit
Erm, perhaps the jet engines?
No_Advertising_9355@reddit
Hard to tell because different mics record at different levels, question is, did you feel it? a sonic boom isn't just noise it is a physical force, it will shake buildings, rattle and break windows and can even crack foundations of buildings. Heard many sonic booms in Germany in the 80's, there is a reason they don't want them over populated areas ! LOL
Daminica@reddit
You could hear the plane before it passes. This indicates it was flying subsonic.
The noise you suddenly hear and was mistaken for a sonic boom is the sound of the jet exhaust. Because the exhaust is directed to the rear of the plane it wasn't audible before.
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