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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
Memphis Belle: sorting fact from legend
On the same day as the Ruhr dams raid ended, the captain of B-17F Flying Fortress Memphis Belle completed his 25th mission. The famous bomber itself did so two days later. How did the two reach those milestones — and did any other 8th Air Force ‘heavies’ get there first?
Berlin Airlift – the British contribution
Avoiding World War Three, or the first victory of the Cold War? Helena P Schrader re-evaluates Britain’s contribution to Operation Plainfare, the UK’s designation for the Berlin Airlift
‘Sally B’ to be temporarily grounded
A statement has been issued by B-17 operator Ellie Sallingboe in the wake of recent wing spar issues effecting US-based aircraft
Airfield history - Old Sarum
Now home to a trailblazing museum, Old Sarum has a rich heritage – including the foundations of battlefield support
Military
F-15EX eyed as solution for Poland’s air dominance requirements
In light of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia War and in line with its newly inflated defence budget, Poland is actively evaluating the purchase of a fleet of F-15EX Eagle IIs through the US DOD’s Foreign Military Sales programme to meet its requirement for a new air dominance fighter, according to Boeing
Belgium retires first F-16 from use after nearly 40 years of ops
The Belgium Air Force withdrew its first F-16AM (MLU) Fighting Falcon from operational use on September 8, after the multi-role fighter reached the 8,000 flight hour milestone
Indonesia presses forward with F-15EX Eagle II acquisition
Indonesia is set to become the first export customer for the F-15EX after a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of at least 24 Eagle II fighters was signed during a recent visit of Indonesia’s Minister of Defence Prabowo Subianto to the firm’s F-15 production line in St Louis, Missouri
Commercial
Transavia in 2023 – a year of big change
It’s shaping up to be a significant year for Transavia and Transavia France, as the long-time Boeing 737 operators introduce their first Airbus A320neo Family jets, as Richard Schuurman reports from The Netherlands
Behind the scenes of TAP’s maintenance and engineering operations
In the second half of his two-part report from Lisbon, Gordon Smith goes behind the scenes at the headquarters of TAP Maintenance and Engineering
KlasJet spreads its wings
Lithuanian charter provider to support ACMI leasing market with new aircraft
The Ultimate Lufthansa History Quiz (Part One)
Today the Lufthansa Group is one of Europe’s largest aviation companies, with a wealth of investments and subsidiaries reaching far beyond Germany, but it wasn’t always this way. For this week's quiz we’re putting your knowledge of Lufthansa’s formative years to the test. Good luck!
Aviation postcard from Down Under
The relative remoteness of Australia and New Zealand means many of their resident aircraft rarely venture beyond the national borders. This, and the wide array of international visitors that grace their domestic airports, make them a popular destination for aviation enthusiasts. Barry Ambrose made a recent pilgrimage Down Under and shares some of the highlights from his time in Sydney, Auckland, and Christchurch
Flight Simulation
Melbourne Airport out now
The latest destination from Orbx is YMML Melbourne International Airport for Microsoft for Flight Simulator.
Local Legends 9: Latécoère 631 released
The Microsoft Flight Simulator development team has released the ninth aircraft in the Local Legends Series, the Latécoère Model 631 flying boat.
Orbx releases Stockholm Arlanda Airport
Orbx developer Marcus Nyberg, in collaboration with Jetstream Designs, has released ESSA Stockholm Arlanda Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
