--- title: "The RAF’s ‘Mach Loop’ turns intense fighter training into a spectator sport" date: "2018-06-01" modified: "2020-10-21" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/the-rafs-mach-loop-turns-intense-fighter-training-into-a-spectator-sport/" categories: - "Aircraft" - "Tactical" --- # The RAF’s ‘Mach Loop’ turns intense fighter training into a spectator sport ![]() If you've ever wanted to get an up close and personal view of fighter planes in training, but just never had the math scores to get into the cockpit, don't lose hope. There is a magical place in Wales where the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots conduct low-level flight training – and you can grab your camera and watch them fly on by. --- ![]() *A C-130 in the Mach Loop (photo by Peng Chen)* The Machynlleth Loop, more popularly known as the Mach Loop, is a series of valleys in Wales between the towns of Dolgellau to the north and Machynlleth to the south. The area is well known among plane spotters and aviation enthusiasts as *the place* to so closely watch the RAF and its allies conduct maneuvers. The Mach Loop is part of the [British Ministry of Defence's Tactical Training Low Flying Area]() and the pilots know there are troves of photographers watching the loop at all hours of the day... and they know exactly what the cameras want to see. The RAF will fly Panavia Tornado fighters, as well as Eurofighter Typhoons and BAE's Hawk Trainers through the Mach Loop, while the U.S. Air Force will fly F-15E Strike Eagles, F-22 Raptors, and even C-130J Super Hercules turboprop cargo planes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL-KV79UkQE The HD video shot from inside the cockpit of a Typhoon is also an incredible sight, especially for those of us who may never get to ride in a fighter, especially during a low-level flight exercise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT7qrYi8R_M The ability to fly so close to the ground is an asset to a pilot's skill set for many reasons. Non-stealth aircraft can fly low to the ground to penetrate enemy airspace, hit a target, and return to base. Flying so close to ground level can also allow pilots to escape from dangerous situations and surprise enemy aircraft. This is especially important, given how fighters perform against helicopters in combat. ### Related: [Air Force fighters got wasted by Army attack helos in this combat experiment ]() ![]() *An F-15 Strike Eagle in the Mach Loop in Wales (photo by Peng Chen)* Smaller fighters can fly as low as 100 *feet* off the ground, while larger planes, like cargo aircraft, can bottom out at 150 feet. If there's an aspiring photographer out there who wants to fill their portfolio with amazing military aviation photos, it's time to hop a plane to Wales. ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()