Flying the Machynlleth Loop
I'm sure the RAF could spare 20 minutes or so for someone else to have a go too as it is after all outside a restricted/danger area so they don't own or control it.
I wouldn't fly the loop without calling first. Neither would I assume the RAF would be willing to spare 20 minutes at my convenience. It costs about £60k per hour to keep an Eurofighter in the air so if you make 3 of them fly in circles for 20 minutes waiting for you to clear the training area, then it's an expensive trip for the taxpayer. They use the Mach loop often, but not so often that it's hard to find a time when it's empty.
Flying in Wales is wonderful. In contrast to the airspace around London where you have to be continually on guard to avoid shutting down Heathrow or Gatwick, you can pretty much do as you like. I would hate to see the military gaining a huge swathe of airspace when we can easily avoid conflict just by talking to each other.
It was the late Wing Commander John Morden who was to take command of 226 OCU at Lossiemouth. He'd managed to regain is flying catagory with restrictions following his operation at Papworth Hospital. He is the only fast jet pilot ever to return to fast jet flying. The other pilot was Wing Commander Bill Pixton ex CO of 41 Squadron who survived.
