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
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
Brazil bids fond farewell to legacy Hercules fleet
The Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB; Brazilian Air Force) bid a fond farewell to its remaining C-130 Hercules tactical transports at Galeão Air Base (AB) in Rio de Janeiro on February 29, with the type having flown more than 377,000 operational flight hours over the past 60 years
Commercial
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!
Bombardier bags Challenger 3500 order
Bombardier announced on December 22, 2023, that an undisclosed customer had placed a firm order for 12 of its Challenger 3500 super mid-size business jet, with the first deliveries expected in the second half of 2025.
Flight Simulation
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.
P-47D Razorback ready for take-off
Aeroplane Heaven has released the Republic P-47D Razorback for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
PC Pilot Issue 151
Issue 151 of PC Pilot in page-turning format features VSKYLABS’ SR-71 Blackbird - a Spyplane for X-Plane 12 - as its cover star
