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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

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Vickers Valiant Pioneers

In the February 2016 issue of FlyPast Graham Pitchfork profiled Valiant pilots who helped to trail blaze for the Victor and Valiant

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Vickers Valiant and Britain’s first nuclear bomb

British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin’s quote about the necessity of developing an independent nuclear deterrent — “We’ve got to have the bloody Union Jack flying on top of it” — signifies the priority placed on this programme as the Cold War reared its head. It led, 70 years ago, to the first ‘special weapons’ arriving at an RAF station, and to the Vickers Valiant becoming the first platform able to deliver them 

V-Force pathfinder - the story of the unique black Valiant B2

The concept of target-marking had been proved with great success by the RAF of World War Two, but how would it translate to the jet bomber age? The Vickers Valiant was chosen to lead the role into this new era. Why, then, did the menacing and very capable ‘Black Bomber’, the Valiant B2, end up being a one-off?

Draken centre stage at Swedish exhibition

The distinctive jet is the showpiece of a recently opened exhibition, while in Spain a retired Falcon is on the move

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Vickers Valiant secret reconnaissance  

Valiants pioneered long-range, deep-penetration reconnaissance – in the February 2016 issue of FlyPast Vic Flintham revealed the shadowy world of 543 Squadron

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Military

The Monday Military Aviation Quiz 180

Welcome to the 180th Monday Military Aviation Quiz! How well do you know your modern military aircraft? Test your aircraft recognition skills here

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Swiss Air Force Yorknite 2024 deployment dates

The Swiss Air Force has confirmed to Key.Aero the dates of its annual night flying Yorknite deployment to RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire.

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Red Arrows gear up for 60th anniversary season

The iconic aerobatic display team have returned to nine jets for the landmark season

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Commercial

Feature Freemium

How Boeing builds the 787 Dreamliner

Ambitious. No single word better describes the outset of the 787 Dreamliner programme as Boeing sought to turf manufacturing out to contractors worldwide, while creating a second production line thousands of miles from home. This article first appeared in Airliner World's December 2021 issue

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Going short-haul on the long-haul Boeing 787 Dreamliner

In the March 2018 Aviation News, Spencer Bennett described the experience of flying on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner inter-European service using a South American carrier, for just £33.

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LEVEL's huge expansion plans revealed

Barcelona-based low-cost, long haul carrier LEVEL is to obtain its own Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) under plans by owner  – The International Airline Group (IAG) – to expand its operations.

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Boeing given green light to begin MAX 10 flight testing

Boeing has announced that its 737 MAX 10 has been cleared by the FAA to begin certification flight testing

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Incredible Aboriginal A220 Qantas scheme uncovered

An eye-catching Aboriginal-inspired paint scheme adorns QantasLink’s first Airbus A220-300 aircraft.

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Flight Simulation

Stearman takes flight in MSFS

Golden Age Simulations has released the Boeing Stearman for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Gold Coast Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator

The latest Australian destination from Orbx is YBCG Gold Coast Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Antarctica Vol. 2 released

Aerosoft has announced Antarctica Vol. 2 - Australian Casey and Skiways for Microsoft Flight Simulator is out now.

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Upcoming Events

MCAS Cherry Point Air Show

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Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, United States

US Marine Corps airshow

Duxford Flying Day: 19 Squadron

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Cambridge, United Kingdom

The event webpage states: "Uncover the story of the legendary 19 Squadron, the fighter pilots who made Spitfire history at Dunkirk and throughout the Battle of Britain at Flying Days: 19 Squadron. Enjoy a special themed display, providing an afternoon of over an hour of scheduled flying, on top of your great day out at IWM Duxford."

Light Aircraft Association Rally

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Leicester, United Kingdom

Light aircraft event

Dover AFB - First State Airshow

to

Dover AFB, United States

US Air Force airshow

Royal International Air Tattoo

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Fairford, United Kingdom

The themes this year for RIAT are '50 Years F-16', 'NATO 75th Anniversary', '100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force' and 'Pushing the boundaries in Air and Space'. Regarding the final one in the list the RIAT website states: "Our main theme will highlight the important work of Flight Test & Evaluation in modern aviation, looking back at 100 years of British military test flying. We hope to display specialised, modified and instrumented test flight aircraft from organisations from around the world dedicated to Flight Test, Evaluation and Scientific Research."

Offutt AFB - Defenders of Freedom Air and Space Show

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Bellevue, United States

US Air Force airshow