Latest from Key.Aero
Explore the latest news and features by our world-class aviation journalists. Stay up to date on the latest military aviation developments, commercial airline news, historic restoration projects, flight simulation releases and much more.
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Historic
Spitfire Flight Test
In a recent re-issue of a special magazine by Key Publishing featuring military aircraft flight tests, Dave Unwin takes aloft the legendary Spitfire
Back to life – Mustang reborn in New Zealand
The term ‘time capsule’ is often used to describe World War Two restoration projects, but a New Zealand-based North American P-51D Mustang has such provenance that its claim is perhaps greater than most
The efforts to fly a Dutch F-104 again
In the March 2024 issue of Aviation News, Leonard van den Broek provides an update on efforts to return a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter to flight at Volkel Air Base in the Netherlands
Egyptian Bestmann treasures arrive in Europe
German enthusiast Ernest Mika has acquired around 20 Bücker 181 Bestmanns originally built under license in Egypt
Military
A-10 Demo Team announce 2024 is final airshow season
The A-10 Demo Team has announced that this will be its last season on the airshow circuit.
Pentagon unveils $850bn FY25 budget request and eyes further aircraft retirements
Released on March 11, the $849.8bn FY25 President’s Budget for the US Department of Defense (DOD) represents an increase of $7.8bn in spending when compared to the FY24 base request. The $167.6bn procurement budget includes $61.2bn for new military aircraft and related systems
Carl Vinson completes first Indo-Pacific deployment with Block III Super Hornets
The US Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) – the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG-1) – returned to its homeport at NAS North Island in San Diego, California, on February 23, after completing a four-month deployment to the Western Pacific region and marking the end of the first operational cruise for the service’s new F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornets
Commercial
Why orders for widebody airliners rose in 2023
If 2023 proved anything, it was that there is high demand for airliners. While narrowbodies dominate sales, widebodies regained popularity after the slump during the pandemic years. Richard Schuurman explains what is driving this uptick
Aeroflot’s fleet settlements continue
Russian flag carrier Aeroflot has finalised further insurance claims with leasing companies for seven more aircraft.
International return for Tu-214
Russian carrier Red Wings has placed its restored Tupolev Tu-214 into service on international flights.
Take off for Air Astana IPO
Kazakhstan's flag carrier Air Astana has begun trading on the London Stock Exchange and Astana International Exchange (AIX).
ULTIMATE ANSETT AUSTRALIA QUIZ!
February 17 marks the anniversary of the formation of Ansett Australia in 1936. Based in Melbourne, the airline survived for 65 years before collapsing in 2001 (and then again in 2002). So this week, we test your knowledge of this iconic airline. Good luck!
Flight Simulation
DCS: Spitfire LF Mk. IX
Welcome to the start of a new mini-series in which we take a look at the DCS: Spitfire LF Mk. IX - using a compilation of previous articles. The aim is to help you get the most out of this superb DCS module in one convenient series.
London Control update
An updated version of the London Control air traffic control simulator, produced by Dale McLoughlin at DM Aviation, is now available.
Aerofly FS 4 development update
IPACS has announced the 737 MAX for Aerofly FS 4 is now available. The aircraft follows the 737NG, released in November last year.