Fly the Mach Loop in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Flying the Mach Loop in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is an incredibly immersive experience and one worth attempting even if you've visited in person — especially with a VR headset to add that extra wow factor. As most of us don't have access to a military fast jet, MSFS 2020 made experiencing what it might feel like to be at the controls considerably more attainable.

What is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020?

Microsoft Flight Simulator is an amateur flight simulator developed by Asobo Studio and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is the latest entry in a series that began in 1982, released on 18 August 2020 for Windows. VR support was added in December 2020 via a free update, and the sim came to Xbox Series X/S in July 2021. World terrain is generated using Bing Maps satellite data and Azure AI, making the Mach Loop valley system detailed and accurate.

What do you need?

• A PC running Windows 10/11, or an Xbox Series X/S
• A joystick and throttle (a gamepad works but reduces immersion significantly)
• Optional: A VR headset — Meta Quest, Valve Index, HP Reverb G2, or similar

VR flight through the Mach Loop

How much does MSFS 2020 cost?

Three editions are available. All include the Mach Loop area. The sim is also included with Xbox Game Pass.

What aircraft can I fly?

The base sim does not include military fast jets, but a strong third-party ecosystem fills that gap. These videos show the Loop flown with popular add-on aircraft — available via the MSFS marketplace or third-party sites such as JustFlight and SimMarket (no affiliation — just sites we've used).

Minimum PC Specifications