RAF Valley (IATA: VLY / ICAO: EGOV) is home to the Royal Air Force’s No. 4 Flight Training School (FTS). This school is responsible for the training of the United Kingdom’s fast jet pilots.

The site was constructed during the Second World War, opening for operations in 1941 and hosting No.9 Group, Fighter Command. Their primary role was to defend the North West of England and the Irish Sea areas. In the early 1950s the base became home to advanced flying training for the RAF and Royal Navy, and No 4 FTS formed here in 1960. In the 1960s and 70s Folland Gnats and Hawker Hunters were the mounts for advanced pilot training, replaced by the BAe Hawk T1 from 1976. Hawks have remained at Valley ever since, with the T1s being replaced over some years from 2009 by the glass cockpit-equipped T2s. In late 2019 RAF Valley took over from RAF Linton-on-Ouse to provide basic flying training, as well as its previous primary role for advanced pilot training.

Based squadrons at RAF Valley now include No. IV(R) Squadron and No. XXV(F) Squadron, flying the Hawk T2 jets. No. 72 Squadron flies the Beechcraft Texan T1 prop trainer.

Valley is also home to helicopters from No. 202 Squadron, the maritime and mountains training element of the Defence Helicopter Flying School, and is headquarters of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service.

Since 2007 Valley has also hosted civilian flights between Anglesey and the Welsh capital, Cardiff, and thus is also known as Anglesey Airport.

Written by Paul Markman and some pictures from Michael Brazier. Last Update: February 2021

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runway
13/31	2,290m (7,513ft); Asphalt
01/19	1,639m (5,377ft); Asphalt
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not required as fencing is low and some vantage points are above airfield level.
Car/Public Transport	Some vantage points require car and/or some walking, though it is possible to access the airfield area via train, stopping at Rhosneigr on the main line between Bangor and Holyhead, and then walking. Bus services are also available from Holyhead in Anglesey and Bangor on the mainland, stopping at the base.
Restrooms	None available at the viewing locations.
Drinks/Food	There are varied shops and places to eat in Rhosneigr, but otherwise none close to viewing locations. The Valley Aviation Society runs a shop located in the spotter car park (Spot 2), selling aviation-related items (opening times vary throughout year).
Hotels	Accommodation can be found in and around Rhosneigr, in walking distance from the south/south west part of the base. Anglesey has very many options for bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation.
Season	As the RAF’s primary pilot training base, activity is year round.
Security	As RAF Valley is a military base, keep a low profile and do not get too close to the perimeter fencing. The authorities are aware of our hobby and tolerate it, so keep the areas clean. In general you will enjoy a trouble free time.
Runway Usage
General	Runways are used depending on current wind directions or pilot request.

	Spot #1 – Rhosneigr – Runway 31 Arrivals and Departures
WHERE	This spot can be reached by walking towards the base from the train station at Rhosneigr. If travelling by car, leave the main A55 dual carriageway from Bangor to Holyhead, following signs for Rhosneigr, A4080. Turn right at the church in the village of Llanfaelog, and drive for about a mile, under the railway bridge and and on to parking, which is available just after the entrance to Anglesey Golf Club, on the right, before entering the village of Rhosneigr. Walk along the unpaved road, past the golf course, over two bridges towards the runway threshold, and follow the path around to the right.
WHAT	This spot is excellent for morning shots of aircraft departing and landing Runway 31, and aircraft taxiing from the aprons where the Hawks are parked.
TIME	Summer: Sunrise until 1200 & 1800 to sunset. Winter: Sunrise until 1100.
MISC.	No facilities nearby, so bring everything you might need with you before arriving at the spot.
FOCAL LENGTH	Depending on the angle but those below: Taxi side 200m Taxi front 400mm Arrival 400mm

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	Spot #2 – RAF Valley Viewing Area Car Park – Runway 19 Arrivals and Departures
WHERE	From the A55, follow signs for RAF Valley/Anglesey Airport. Drive through the base accommodation area and the large car park for this spotting area is located just by a small bridge over the railway line, where the main base entrance and Hawk gate guard are located.
WHAT	This spot is best for viewing aircraft landing and departing Runway 19, and for taxiing shots when this runway is in use.
TIME	Summer: Sunrise until 1400. Winter: Sunrise until 1500.
MISC.	No facilities nearby, so bring everything you might need with you before arriving at the spot.
FOCAL LENGTH	Depending on the angle but those below: Taxi side 96mm Arrivals  230 to 400mm

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	Spot #3 – Runway 13 Arrivals and Departures
WHERE	From the car park for Spot 2: turn right out of the car park and follow the road past the threshold for Runway 19 to a T-junction. Turn left and follow this narrow road, always bearing left. This road ends in an area near the airfield perimeter fence, close to the threshold for Runway 13, where there is room for several cars to park. Ensure no cars block access to the airfield/crash gates.
WHAT	This spot, and the area around, is excellent for photography when Runway 13 is in use.
TIME	Summer: Sunrise until 1030. Winter: Sunrise until 0900.
MISC.	No facilities nearby, so bring everything you might need with you before arriving at the spot.
FOCAL LENGTH	Depending on the angle but those below are between 70mm C130 up to 330mm for the hawk.

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	Spot #4 – Runway 13 Arrivals
WHERE	As for Spot 3, continue to walk down unpaved road which heads right towards the beach.
WHAT	This spot is useful during the afternoon, with the sun behind you, for aircraft landing on Runway 13.
TIME	Summer: Sunrise until 1030. Winter: Sunrise until 0900.
MISC.	No facilities nearby, so bring everything you might need with you before arriving at the spot.
FOCAL LENGTH	Depending on the angle but those below are between 100mm D228 up to 130mm for the hawk.

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	Spot #5 – Sand Dunes, Cymyran Beach – Runway 19 Arrivals and Departures
WHERE	If arriving by car, park in area for Spot 3 and walk to the beach. Then head south east along beach/sand dunes. It is possible to walk to this area from Rhosneigr, crossing the river that flows out into the sea, along the beach.
WHAT	This spot allows views of aircraft landing and departing Runway 19.
TIME	Summer: From 1300 until sunset. Winter: From Midday until sunset.
MISC.	No facilities nearby, so bring everything you might need with you before arriving at the spot.
FOCAL LENGTH	Not available

++We do not have any pictures yet to be displayed, however if you do please email us, thank you!++

	Spot #6 – Rhosneigr/Cymyran Beach Sand Dunes – Runway 31 Arrivals and Departures
WHERE	Access the beach area from Rhosneigr village or from the car park for Spot 1. Head to the left from the end of Runway 31 and follow the airfield perimeter fencing to sand dunes to gain a good vantage point.
WHAT	This spot is excellent for afternoon photography (with the sun behind) of arriving and departing aircraft using Runway 31, and also taxiing aircraft from the apron used by the Texan aircraft.
TIME	Summer: From 1000 until sunset. Winter: From sunrise until sunset.
MISC.	No facilities nearby, so bring everything you might need with you before arriving at the spot.
FOCAL LENGTH	Runway shots at 400m and taxi shots at 300mm

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