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
Who was the first to fly over Everest?
High Flyers: The landmark first flight over Mount Everest was made 91 years ago, decades before it was climbed…
Aeroplane April 2024
April 2024 issue of Aeroplane in page-turning format turns the spotlight on the Messerschmitt Bf 109
Historic Quiz: Aircraft nicknames
Across the annals of flight aircraft have been bestowed unofficial nicknames – some pleasant, others not so much – by those that flew or maintained them, worked on them. But do you know the often-forgotten nicknames for these types?
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
Military
USAF now plans to buy less than 100 F-15EXs
As part of its FY25 budget request, the USAF has revealed that it now plans to purchase 18 F-15EXs, rather than the 24 Eagle IIs that were initially set to be acquired. This would take the total planned F-15EX procurement from a total of 104 aircraft to just 98
Pentagon clears Osprey flight operations to resume
The Pentagon has cleared all three variants of the V-22 Osprey to return to flight after what has been a three-month grounding. US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) initially grounded its CV-22B fleet after the fatal loss of an aircraft on November 29, 2023, before US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) grounded the rest of the US Osprey force
Indian Navy stands up INAS 334 as first MH-60R squadron
The Indian Navy (IN) marked a pivotal moment in its modernisation journey on March 6, when the service formally commissioned its first MH-60R Seahawk multi-role maritime helicopters into operational service with Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 334 at Indian Naval Station (INS) Garuda in Kochi
Commercial
European expansion for flydubai
Low-cost Emirati carrier flydubai is expanding its network further into Europe with the launch of four new routes. From August, the carrier will become the first UAE airline to operate services to EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, serving the border region of France, Germany and Switzerland.
Global’s first A380 takes flight
The first ‘fully acquired’ Airbus A380 of UK start-up Global Airlines has taken to the skies. The former China Southern Airlines example, re-registered 9H-GLOBL (c/n 120), carried out a 20-minute test flight from Mojave Airport, California.
Volotea goes big in 2024
Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea has announced plans to increase its fleet and expand its network in 2024 after achieving “historic financial margins” in 2023.
Why orders for widebody airliners rose in 2023
If 2023 proved anything, it was that there is high demand for airliners. While narrowbodies dominate sales, widebodies regained popularity after the slump during the pandemic years. Richard Schuurman explains what is driving this uptick
Aeroflot’s fleet settlements continue
Russian flag carrier Aeroflot has finalised further insurance claims with leasing companies for seven more aircraft.
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
