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
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
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
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
Anacortes Airport for MSFS released
The latest Pacific Northwest destination from Orbx is 74S Anacortes Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulators.
Salt Lake City for MSFS out now
FeelThere has released Salt Lake City International Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Turtle Beach releases the VelocityOne Flightdeck HOTAS
Turtle Beach has announced the VelocityOne Flightdeck HOTAS flight control system is now available.