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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 plane restoration projects, flight simulation releases and much more.
Runway problems disrupt Voyager ops at RAF Brize Norton
Unusually hot weather caused damage to the runway at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on July 18, which resulted in the disruption of operations for almost a week, particularly with the RAF’s Airbus A330-243MRTT Voyager KC2/KC3 fleet
USCG receives 25th upgraded MH-65E Dolphin
The US Coast Guard has received its 25th upgraded Aérospatiale (now Airbus Helicopters) MH-65E Dolphin SAR helicopter, after the latest example was delivered to CGAS Miami, Florida, on July 12
Cannon AFB receives first AC-130J Ghostrider
The 27th SOW at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, received its first Lockheed Martin AC-130J Ghostrider on July 19, marking a new milestone in the transformation of US Air Force Special Operations Command’s fixed-wing gunship capabilities
Germany’s first C-130J-30 rolled out
Lockheed Martin has completed the production of the first C-130J-30 Super Hercules heavy-lift tactical transport for the German Air Force
NASA's SOFIA lands in Tahiti
SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infra-red Astronomy was deployed to Papeete/Fa'a'ā International Airport on Tahiti, French Polynesia on July 19.
UK orders 13 more Protector RG1s
UK Defence Minister Jeremy Quin has confirmed that a £195m contract has been signed with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for a further 13 MQ-9B Protector RG1 remotely piloted aircraft for the RAF
FlyPast Podcast Episode 31
Episode 31 is a group effort as the FlyPast editorial team discuss the late, Squadron Leader Goodman, his involvement with 617 squadron and the enduring legacy of their missions, namely the famous raid on the dams for Operation Chastise....
The flight attendant who fell 33,000ft and SURVIVED
Key.Aero recounts the miraculous story of a woman who lived to tell the tale when the odds were most certainly stacked against her…
Nelson Airport Now Available on OrbxDirect
Scenery developer NZA Simulations has released NZNS Nelson Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator on OrbxDirect.
6 interesting things that happened on this day in aviation history
Find out how P-38Fs, Wiley Post and the world's youngest pilot to fly around the world all have July 22 in common
First HC-130J for CGAS Barbers Point
Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, received its first of four Lockheed Martin HC-130J Hercules when its initial aircraft – tail number 2008 – touched down at Kalaeloa Airport on June 11
Aerosoft and Orbx announce distribution partnership
Aerosoft and Orbx have announced a new partnership, which sees both companies sharing the distribution of their respective products.
Skyborg completes test flight aboard MQ-20 Avenger
The USAF's Skyborg artificial 'brain' flew inside a stealthy, jet-powered UAV for the first time in late June, during a test flight which advanced the drone control system's air-to-air capability, as we explain
Dassault delivers first Rafale to Greece
Dassault Aviation has delivered the first of 18 Rafale multi-role fighters to the Hellenic Air Force, just six months after the acquisition contract was inked between the Greek Ministry of Defence and the French aircraft manufacturing giant
KC-46A’s centreline drogue system approved for operational use
Headquarters Air Mobility Command announced on July 12 that the USAF’s Boeing KC-46A Pegasus Centerline Drogue System mission set has been approved for operational use
Revealing Insights into UK-based USAF F-86D Sabres
A detailed report on the new capabilities provided by the F-86D from the April 22, 1955 issue of The Aeroplane
EasyJet captain intervened after United 787 approach error in Paris
The Dreamliner came within 300ft of the A320 while trying to land in the French capital last July
MAKS 21: Russia unveils Sukhoi ‘Checkmate’ light fighter
After days of hype, Russia has officially revealed a full-scale mock-up of its new stealthy, single-engine, fifth-generation lightweight fighter, dubbed the Sukhoi ‘Checkmate’, but also referred to as the Legkiy Takticheskiy Samolet (LTS, Tactical Light Aircraft)
Nigerian Alpha Jet crashes in Zamfara
A Nigerian Air Force-operated Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet A/N jet trainer/light attack aircraft crashed in the country’s north-western Zamfara state after being hit by intense ground fire from bandits
KC-10A Extender: The USAF's 'other' tanker
Now in its 40th year of service, the McDonnell Douglas KC-10A has been continuously deployed since January 1991. Like most DC-10 airliners that preceded it, the Extender has entered its twilight years and will soon become part of the USAF’s past, as we report
Fresh paint scheme for USNTPS T-38A Talon
A Northrop T-38A Talon from the US Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, has been rolled out of the maintenance facility at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, sporting a smart new colour scheme
WATCH: A captain’s view of nose droop procedure on world’s fastest Concorde
Key.Aero gained privileged access to Duxford’s Concorde and captured the world-famous nose droop from inside the cockpit
RAF Typhoons test tactical refuelling concept in Norway
RAF-operated Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland, have completed a proof of concept exercise in Norway, which tested tactical ground-based refuelling capabilities at a dispersed forward operating location
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