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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
Is there a future for Hunter flying in Switzerland?
Another example of the Hawker fighter has been grounded — and only one other may fly again as Swiss classic jet scene dwindles
Unique two-seat Fw 190 leaves RAF Museum
Fw 190 F-8/U1 flown by ‘Winkle’ Brown heads to Berlin on loan
North Weald’s ‘MiG-17’ to fly again?
The former Polish Air Force machine is bound for European skies…
Historic Aviation Quiz: The Bristol Aeroplane Company
With October 27, 2023, marking the anniversary of Bristol’s rugged Buckmaster advanced trainer taking to the skies for the first time, we dedicate this week’s quiz to one of the most important British aviation companies. Can you recognise these lesser-known Bristol types?
'Flanker' arrives at major US museum
One of the former Ukrainian Air Force jets is destined for a new home at the Ohio attraction
Military
Omega KDC-10 tanker refuels deployed USAF F-16Cs in new first
The USAF recently conducted the first commercial air-to-air refuelling of F-16C Fighting Falcon fighters while supporting a deployment in the Indo-Pacific theatre
US border agency begins to scale back AEW-configured Orion fleet
The US Customs and Border Protection agency’s Air and Marine Operations branch has started scaling back its P-3B operations and has retired at least two of its radar-equipped Orions
USMC’s first XQ-58A Valkyrie takes flight at Eglin AFB
The first of two XQ-58A Valkyrie UCAVs for the USMC successfully completed its first test flight at Eglin AFB, Florida, on October 2, closely followed by an F-16CM Fighting Falcon (88-0441/ET) from the 40th Flight Test Squadron – a component of the USAF’s 96th Test Wing – that was flying as the ‘chase’ aircraft
Commercial
Long-time Qatar Airways boss Akbar Al Baker steps down
Qatar Airways has announced that its long-time group chief executive Akbar Al Baker will step down next month after 27 years at the top of the airline.
Off-duty pilot tries to shut down Horizon E175 engines in flight
A San Francisco-bound Horizon Air Embraer E175 diverted to Portland yesterday (October 22) after a jump seat occupant attempted to shut down the aircraft’s engines in flight.
Boeing 2707 SST: More than just a mock-up
Andreas Spaeth joins Boeing historian Michael Lombardi to climb inside the nose section of the 1969 2707 mock-up in Washington state
UK planespotting highlights for September 2023
We present a selection of images of visiting aircraft from airports around the UK. For the most part, they’re commercial jets, but almost all of them are unusual types, wearing new or unique liveries, or first visits by an airline or airliner to a particular airport.
Flight Simulation
Local Legends 11: Aero Vodochody Ae-45 and Ae-145 review
Designed in the late 1940s, the Czech-built twin-engine Aero 45 is one of the most distinctive airframes in aviation history and despite its humble beginnings, it became an immediate success throughout Europe and beyond. We check out Aeroplane Heaven's rendition of this rugged workhorse for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
France VFR South-East-Riviera for MSFS released
France VFR South-East-Riviera for Microsoft Flight Simulator brings together in a single pack all the elements needed for VFR flying in the southeast of France.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
A few months ago, Microsoft announced that 2024 would herald the release of a new flight simulator with a completely new engine, which generated a lot of controversy in the community. In this feature, we find out what to expect from this new platform.