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
Mighty Avro Shackleton - a Cold War legend
Affectionately known as the ‘Growler’, Avro’s mighty Shackleton served in a variety of roles for the RAF at the height of the Cold War.
Relatives sought for memorial unveiling
The Barton Stacey History Group is trying to trace the relatives of five airmen who were killed in World War Two
South African Vampire to be restored
Personnel from the South African Air Force removed de Havilland Vampire FB.52 235 from its pole at AFB Langebaanweg recently
Saluting the French ‘Lorraine’ Squadron
A modern-day French Air Force squadron can trace a noble lineage back to a hard-fighting World War Two Free French unit that first drew blood over Africa. Andrew Thomas outlines the history of Escadron de Chasse 3/30 ‘Lorraine’
Weather – the deadliest adversary?
One of the biggest dangers a pilot can face in the sky is adverse weather. Luke Bimm explains why understanding the weather is so important to those who fly
Military
What it’s like to fly aboard a USAF KC-135R during an air-to-air refuelling mission
AirForces Monthly was invited by the USAF 100th Air Refueling Wing to join them on a mission over the North Sea from their base at RAF Mildenhall. Photographer Tom Williams went along for the ride
Malaysia leases additional Black Hawks for Army use
The Malaysian MOD signed a lease agreement with Malaysia-based defence services provider, Aerotree Group, for the supply of four second-hand Sikorsky UH-60A+ Black Hawk battlefield utility helicopters, which will be operated by the Malaysian Army Aviation
How Greece is getting to grips with the Dassault Rafale
The Hellenic Air Force is replacing its Mirage 2000s with Rafales. Babak Taghvaee details 332 Mira’s work up on the new type, culminating with a debut at Exercise Iniochos – Greece’s answer to Red Flag
Commercial
NASA Boeing 747SP retires after stellar career
NASA’s Boeing 747SP, N747NA (c/n 21441), which was adapted to carry a large telescope and was referred to as the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), flew its last mission yesterday (September 29).
WestJet in LARGE MAX 10 order
The Calgary-based carrier has opted for the largest variant of the Boeing 737 MAX family as part of a “multi-billion-dollar investment”. Find out more on Key.Aero…
Recent UK planespotting highlights!
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
What engines power the massive Airbus A380?
Engine Alliance and Rolls-Royce continue to use technology insertions to improve the efficiency and durability of their respective A380-specific engine. Chris Kjelgaard looks at the detail
How Airbus upgraded the A380
While remaining one of the most recognisable aircraft currently flying, the A380 has evolved in the ten years since its debut. Mark Broadbent explores how it has changed and considers the logistics of operating Europe’s super jumbo.
Flight Simulation
Orbx’s Dublin City Pack review
This review is based on the capital of the Republic of Ireland as depicted by Orbx in its Dublin City Pack. This is one of many such products from the company that highlights a city or region, adding high-resolution PBR textures and more than 60 handcrafted points of interest. On top of that, you have more accurate terraforming of the city and its surrounding areas....
BlueMesh H-4 Hercules Spruce Goose review
In this review, we take a closer look at the 1947 Hughes H-4 Hercules, also commonly known as the 'Spruce Goose' or 'Flying Lumberyard'.
Orbx releases Helipads LA Medical
Orbx has introduced a new Medical Activities Expansion Pack for Microsoft Flight Simulator, covering the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
