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.
Trending Topics
Israel-Hamas War Boeing 747 RAF Concorde Vulcan Ukraine Russia War
Historic
Aviation in the DDR's dying days: planespotting behind the Iron Curtain
As the Berlin Wall fell, opportunities arose. Peter R Foster details several visits to the former German Democratic Republic shortly after the reunification of Germany
BBMF to commemorate 80th anniversary of Dams Raid…
Did you know the BBMF will commemorate the 'DamBusters' on May 16? Here is how and where...
The hunt for a BOAC airliner that crashed in the Sahara in 1952
Over 70 years ago a BOAC airliner crash-landed, 1,300 miles off course, in the sandy wastes of the Western Sahara. In January 2002, Aeroplane Assistant Editor Tony Harmsworth went to find it
Historic Aviation Quiz: The ‘Red Baron’
With April 20, 2023 marking the 105th anniversary of Germany’s Manfred von Ricthofen’s final two ‘kills’ before falling in combat himself the following day, we dedicate this week’s historic aviation quiz to the man known as the ‘Red Baron’…
Up the Nile in style: An adventure in a Vickers Vimy replica
Egypt’s luxury cruise boats can be delightful, but the only way to travel up the River Nile is by air in the Aeroplane-sponsored Vickers Vimy replica, said Michael Oakey, in the September 1999 issue of Aeroplane Monthly
Military
How a unique aircraft paved the way for the Eurofighter Typhoon
A distant 30-plus years ago, Eurofighter – or European Fighter Aircraft (EFA) – was just a dream. But a technological demonstrator, known as the Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP), was being designed. This is the story.
Archer Aviation to supply Midnight eVTOLs to the USAF
California-based start-up Archer Aviation Inc has entered into contracts worth up to $142m with the US Department of Defense that includes the supply of up to six Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to the USAF
Russian Ka-52Ms join battle for Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine
Upgraded Kamov Ka-52M Hokum-B attack helicopters are being used by the Russian Aerospace Forces for the first time as part of a response to Ukraine’s armoured counteroffensive in the nation’s Zaporizhzhia region
Commercial
Cologne-Bonn Airport: ultimate spotting guide
Cologne-Bonn Airport’s terrace offers excellent views of a broad selection of passenger and cargo aircraft, as Gary Morris discovers. Additional photography by Steve Kilvington and Matt Sudol
Looking back at 50 years of Bombardier Challenger development
As Bombardier begins to deliver its latest Challenger – the 3500 – Paul E Eden looks back on almost half-a-century of business jet development
HeliOps: Sea Kings, SAR and much more
An exciting new era in rotary operations is under way on the UK’s south coast, as Ian Harding and Kevin Wills discovered when visiting one of its premier specialist helicopter providers
Upgrading 80-year-old Douglas DC-3s with turboprop engines: how it’s done
Few aircraft have proven their versatility and durability like the ubiquitous Douglas DC-3. Today, one company continues to capitalise on the type’s popularity by modernising these 80-year-old veterans to make them capable of operating in some of the Earth’s most unforgiving environments. Andreas Spaeth visits Basler Turbo Conversions to find out more
An in-depth look at Virgin's new Airbus A330-900
Simplification has been the watchword of the post-COVID-19 Virgin Atlantic, but does streamlining leave the Dreamliner out in the cold? Tom Batchelor gets acquainted with its biggest threat, the Airbus A330-900
Flight Simulation
King Air 350 now X-Plane 12 compatible
Aircraft developer, Airfoillabs has introduced a major overhaul of its King Air 350 to make it compatible with X-Plane 12.
iFly 737 Max 8 review
The Boeing 737 Max 8 follows in the footsteps of one of the most successful aircraft in aviation history. We take a detailed look at the latest iteration of the 737 family for Prepar3D v5.
Maule for Microsoft Flight Simulator ready for take-off
Developed by Pilot Experience Sim, the single-engine Maule M7-235 utility STOL aircraft has been accurately recreated for Microsoft Flight Simulator.