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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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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
Italian Air Force marks end of HH-212A ops with final flight
The Italian Air Force’s (ItAF’s) 9° Stormo (Wing) held a celebratory event at Grazzanise Air Base on February 22 to mark the final flight of the HH-212A combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) helicopter fleet
Maryland ANG to lose flying mission after upcoming A-10C departure
When its 21-strong fleet of A-10C Thunderbolt II close air support/ground attack aircraft are retired from use, the Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Wing will transition to a new cyber-based mission. Announced on March 7, the move will leave the Maryland ANG without a flying mission
T-7A Red Hawk endures month-long climatic testing at Eglin AFB
The USAF has marked a significant milestone in the operational development of its new advanced jet trainer, the T-7A Red Hawk, after a Boeing-operated test aircraft (21-7003) completed a month-long extreme weather trial inside the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin AFB, Florida, on February 23
Commercial
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.
International return for Tu-214
Russian carrier Red Wings has placed its restored Tupolev Tu-214 into service on international flights.
Flight Simulation
Hughes XF-11 takes flight in MSFS
Aircraft developer Flying Fries has announced the Hughes XF-11 is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Orbx releases Swedish triple pack for Microsoft Flight Simulator
The latest package from Orbx features three airports in Sweden, Umeå, Kiruna and Scandinavian Mountains.
Bilbao for Microsoft Flight Simulator released
Scenery developer Beautiful Model of the Worlds has released Bilbao version 5 for Microsoft Flight Simulator.