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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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Military
What is the current state of Taiwan's ageing F-5 Tiger II fleet?
After almost 60 years of service, the Republic of China Air Force’s F-5s are due to be phased out. Air Forces Monthly examines the impact the jet has had in ensuring the defence of the island nation
First KC-130Js arrive in Hawaii as USMC activates VMGR-153
The USMC activated a new Lockheed Martin KC-130J Hercules tanker-transport unit when Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153 (VMGR-153) ‘Hercules’ was stood up at MCAS Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii on January 13
USAF set to continue flying ‘retired’ F-117As for another decade
While the USAF formally ‘retired’ its fleet of F-117A Nighthawk stealth attack jets in April 2008, the air arm is now seeking to keep a number of examples flying in support of “limited research and training activities” until at least 2034 – more than 25 years after the type was initially withdrawn from service
‘Ironmen’ reactivate as new F-22A FTU at Langley-Eustis
In preparation for the relocation of the F-22A Formal Training Unit mission from Florida to Virginia, the USAF’s Air Combat Command reactivated the 71st Fighter Squadron under the 1st Fighter Wing/Operations Group at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton on January 6
USAF performs largest mass C-17A launch in joint force exercise
Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina carried out the launch of 24 USAF-operated C-17A Globemaster IIIs on January 5 – the largest mass launch of the type from a single base – as part of a mission generation exercise that the air arm claims involved almost 60 aircraft
Commercial
How ITA Airways intends to avoid the mistakes of Alitalia
The Italian government wiped the slate clean of Alitalia’s 75 years of financial folly in 2021. Matteo Legnani considers ITA’s first year and those still to come as the airline welcomes its first Airbus A220s
World’s only ‘aerobatic airline’ The Blades to close
After more than 15 years in operation, the world-famous Blades Aerobatic Display Team is to close.
EU investigates Aeroflot Boeing 777 deal
Could the purchase of ten Boeing 777-300ERs from an undisclosed lessor breach EU sanctions?
Historic
The amazing story of Lancaster Just Jane’s flight from Australia to the UK
Nobody told the Historic Aircraft Preservation Society it couldn’t have a Lancaster flown back to the UK from Australia, and operate it in private hands — so, it did. It left an outstanding legacy, for the ‘Lanc’ now known as Just Jane
Inside the five-year Italian Beechcraft C-45 restoration
A five-year-long restoration effort to return a former Italian Air Force Beechcraft C-45F Expeditor to its former glory has recently been completed at the Guardia di Finanza Air Service Museum at Pratica di Mare, Italy. Daniele Mattozzi reports for Aviation News
Have you heard of the other Loch Ness ‘monster’?
In the very first issue of FlyPast, it was described as the “most ambitious aviation archaeological project ever undertaken”. Jamie Ewan recounts the quite incredible story of 'R-for-Robert' – the bomber that finally came home...
Flight Simulation
737 MAX8 takes flight in Prepar3D
The iFly development team, in partnership with Flight One Software, has released the 737 MAX8 for Prepar3D v5.
ICAO Codes explained
An ICAO code is a four-character alphanumeric sequence used to identify airports around the world and is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation...
XtremeAIR XA41 for X-Plane released
Vertigo Design has announced the XtremeAIR XA41 (AKA "Sbach 300") for X-Plane 11 and 12 is now available.
