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 plane restoration projects, flight simulation releases and much more.
France confirms E-2D Advanced Hawkeye order
Northrop Grumman revealed on January 6 that France has confirmed its order for three E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, becoming the second international customer of the airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft
In pictures: 60 global airlines’ fleet retirements in 2020
With the first week of 2021 drawing to a close, Key.Aero has collated nearly 100 images to illustrate just how dramatically carriers’ rosters changed in 2020
WestJet reveals 737 MAX return plan
Following the resumption of commercial operations in both Brazil and the US, the airline outlines its intentions for getting the embattled jet back in the sky
Banff National Park Released
The latest destination to be released on x-plane.org is Banff National Park in Canada.
Australia declares IOC for F-35A fleet
The Royal Australian Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fleet can now be deployed on operations after it achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on December 28
X-Plane Touches Down in Samos
Skyline Simulations has announced Samos International Airport (LGSM) for X-Plane is released.
In Development - 146 Professional for X-Plane
Just Flight has released new preview images of the 146 Professional currently in development for X-Plane 11.
UK orders MBDA to launch SPEAR3 missile production
MBDA revealed on January 6 that the UK has contracted it to launch the production of its SPEAR3 network enabled miniature cruise missile, which will become the primary air-to-ground weapon of the nation’s F-35B fleet
Beating the Buses: Volaris Interview
Like most countries, Mexico’s aviation industry has been heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Chris Sloan spoke with Holger Blankenstein, executive vice-president of airline commercial and operations at Volaris, to find out how the low-cost carrier has navigated this unprecedented crisis
Flight Line - Aeroplane February 2021
People involved in aviation have always needed a sense of humour. The creativity of aeronautical humourists was apparent during the writing of last month’s Flight Line, with...
First in, last out - The closure of Berlin's Tegel airport
Within a week, the German capital’s new Willy Brandt airport opened and its venerable Tegel site closed for good. Andreas Spaeth went out with the old and in with the new
Aeroplane Classics: the Sopwith Dove
It’s often described as an offshoot of the Pup, while the Snipe made a contribution to it. The reality, though, is that the Sopwith Dove is an aircraft type all of its own...
Aeroplane Database: Reggaine Re 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2005
A Hungarian Air Force Re 2000, or Héja, serial V.418. This...
A view to thrill: glaciers galore!
A scenic flight amid spectacular scenery is an adventure in itself – add a landing on an active glacier into the mix and you've the ultimate aviation adrenaline rush. Andreas Rohde travels to Alaska to join Talkeetna Air Taxi in the Arctic wonderland of Denali National Park
Hawker Siddeley Trident - set up to fail?
British European Airways had a manufacturer on hand to develop its bespoke trijet however it saw fit, but that didn’t quell the carrier’s desire to buy Boeing. Stephen Skinner concludes his two-part overview of the Hawker Siddeley Trident
AIRLINER HISTORY: BAC X-Eleven
It started out as Britain’s last go-it-alone attempt to produce a medium sized airliner. It ended up being the final home-grown commercial...
The Payen Pa 49
There’s niche, and then there’s niche. A very small — quite charming — and low-powered jet, intended as a delta-winged trainer. Is it any surprise that the Payen Pa 49 remained a one-off?
Return of the MAX - onboard a special 737 MAX flight
It has taken 20 challenging months for the 737 MAX to be recertificated, but it will take Boeing far longer to repair its broken trust. Chris Sloan steps on board a special 737 MAX flight – the first in the US since March 2019 – to examine whether the manufacturer has turned a corner
Vaccines: A shot in the arm for airlines?
Vaccines are like buses; you wait twelve months then three come along all at once. However, with a potential 7.6bn people queuing up for a jab, commercial aviation is facing the single biggest logistical undertaking in its history as Tom Batchelor discovers in the first of a special two-part insight
Skywriters - Aeroplane February 2021
Regarding Tom Eeles’ article on the Whirlwind in the September issue of Aeroplane, it was interesting to read the uncomplimentary comments made by...
Quashing the myths of air travel in the COVID-19 era
With coronavirus still prevalent around the world, many former fliers are anxious about returning to airline travel, fearful they could catch the killer bug. Tom Batchelor quashes the myths and explores what innovations are out there to help restore confidence to passengers
Hangar Talk - Aeroplane February 2021
To fly or not to fly? Is it better for an historic aircraft to be displayed at an airshow as a going concern, or should it be consigned to the relative security of a museum?
No call leads to close call for departing 737
A Royal Air Maroc Boeing 737-800 rotated 400ft from the end of Gatwick’s runway after the automatic call for V1 did not occur, the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has learned.
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