By Trevor Cohen Photos by Rayno Snyman and Trevor Cohen On a chilly, rainy Friday morning, May 1st, we departed from Johannesburg, heading towards the Lowveld. As we descended along the N4 escarpment, the sun emerged, prompting us to shed our layers upon arriving at FANS. Enjoying a toastie and a cold drink at the Lowveld Aero Club, while watching aircraft manoeuvre in the warm sun, was truly a privilege. After leaving the airport, we checked into our hotel, allowing suffic

Ethiopian Airlines has once again affirmed its leadership in African aviation after being named Best Airline in Africa at the APEX Passenger Choice Awards. The 2026 awards were announced on 4 May in Addis Ababa, recognising the airline’s continued commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence. The accolade is particularly significant as it is based entirely on independently verified passenger feedback, offering a direct measure of traveller experience. Drawin

The first operational MQ-25A Stingray has successfully completed its maiden flight, marking a significant step forward in the United States Navy’s ongoing efforts to integrate unmanned systems into carrier-based operations. Conducted on April 25 over southern Illinois, the two-hour sortie represents more than just a routine test milestone; it signals the transition of the Stingray programme from development into a more advanced operational phase, bringing the Navy closer to d

The United States Air Force has approved the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk for production, marking a major step forward in its next-generation pilot training programme. The decision follows the programme’s Milestone C approval on 23 April, enabling the transition from development into initial production. As part of this move, the Air Force has awarded a $219 million contract to Boeing Defence, Space & Security for the first batch of 14 aircraft. The contract also includes associated s

The Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement has awarded a contract to Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer for the acquisition of up to 20 C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, marking a significant step in the United Arab Emirates’ ongoing efforts to modernise and expand its strategic and tactical airlift capabilities. The agreement comprises 10 firm orders, alongside options for a further 10 aircraft, providing flexibility for future fleet growth as operational r

Hungary has taken delivery of two additional Gripen C fighter aircraft, marking a further step in the ongoing modernisation of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ air combat capability. The aircraft will be operated by the 101st Aviation Wing from Kecskemét Air Base, reinforcing the country’s ability to meet both national defence requirements and its commitments to NATO operations. The delivery follows a contract signed in February 2024 between the Hungarian Ministry of Defence and

Bell Textron has been selected by Near Earth Autonomy to provide a modified Bell 505 airframe for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Aerial Resupply Vehicle – Expeditionary Logistics (MARV-EL) Increment 2 programme. The initiative aims to develop a new generation of uncrewed aerial logistics platforms capable of supporting frontline operations in contested environments. Announced on April 30, 2026, the partnership will focus on prototyping a configuration to operate without a pilot while

Airbus has delivered the first A321XLR to Air Canada, marking the introduction of the aircraft type into the Canadian market. The aircraft, one of 30 on order by the airline, is being leased from SMBC Aviation Capital. The delivery represents a key step in Air Canada’s ongoing fleet renewal programme, aimed at improving efficiency and expanding network flexibility. The A321XLR is positioned to bridge the operational gap between traditional short-haul narrowbody aircraft and l

By Garth Calitz Sixty-four years ago, on 24 April 1962, one of the most distinctive utility aircraft ever built took to the skies for the first time. That aircraft was the PZL-104 Wilga, a rugged Polish design that would go on to earn an enduring reputation for toughness, versatility and outstanding short take-off and landing performance. As the Wilga marks the 64th anniversary of its maiden flight in 2026, it remains one of the most recognisable and respected light aircraft

AERO Friedrichshafen 2026 once again confirmed why it is regarded as Europe’s leading event for the general aviation industry, bringing together aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, pilots, operators, training organisations and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Held from 22 to 25 April at Messe Friedrichshafen in southern Germany, the exhibition showcased the latest developments in private flying, business aviation, advanced air mobility and sustainable flight technol

Sasol has taken a significant step toward entering the rapidly expanding sustainable aviation fuel market after receiving certification that could enable exports of its product to the European Union. The move positions the South African energy and chemicals group as a potential regional supplier of lower-emissions aviation fuel at a time when airlines, airports and regulators are searching for alternatives to conventional jet fuel. As pressure grows on the aviation industry t

“My strongest impression is the resilience of a community,” says US Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Reeves, speaking several months after the terrible Texas floods that claimed lives in the Texas Hill Country. The floods were immense, showing the frightening power of nature. In the case of Kerrville, heavy rainfall in the early hours of 4 July 2025 transformed the normally lazy Guadalupe River into a rushing onslaught in less than an hour, bursting its banks and catc

Peru has selected the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 70 as the future backbone of its combat aviation fleet, announcing plans to acquire 12 aircraft in a move aimed at strengthening national defence capabilities and modernising the country’s air force. The aircraft will be built by Lockheed Martin at its production facility in Greenville, South Carolina. The decision represents one of the most significant defence procurement steps taken by Peru in recent years. Th

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has issued a renewed warning over the growing dangers faced by civilian aircraft operating near or over conflict zones, calling on governments and industry stakeholders to strengthen measures designed to keep passengers, crews and aircraft safe. Speaking at the 2026 World Overflight Risk Conference in Valletta, Malta, ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar highlighted the increasing threat posed by modern military techn

Daher has announced the delivery of the 1,300th aircraft in its TBM family, reaching another major production milestone for one of general aviation’s most successful high-performance single-engine turboprop manufacturers. The announcement was made on April 22 during AERO Friedrichshafen, where the company is showcasing its latest TBM models. Since entering service in 1990, the TBM series has built a strong reputation for combining speed, efficiency and versatility. Designed t

Lockheed Martin has announced the successful completion of flight testing for the Digital Receiver Exciter Recorder (DREXR) upgrade developed for the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Conducted in partnership with Northrop Grumman, the milestone represents another step in the ongoing modernisation of one of the Navy’s most important airborne command-and-control platforms. The program is intended to keep the aircraft effective against rapidly evolving threats while ensuring i

Embraer has concluded a major international demonstration campaign for its KC-390 Millennium, with the aircraft visiting 11 countries, flying more than 47,000 nautical miles, and completing 54 flights over more than 70 days. The tour ended after the aircraft’s participation at FIDAE, one of Latin America’s leading aerospace exhibitions, before returning to Embraer’s defence headquarters in Gavião Peixoto. According to the manufacturer, the campaign achieved full mission compl

Few missions in aviation history have combined daring, innovation and strategic impact quite like the Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942. Conducted only months after the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, the raid marked the first American air strike against the Japanese home islands and provided a much-needed boost to Allied morale during one of the darkest periods of World War II. The operation, officially led by James H. Doolittle, demonstrated the growing adaptab

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), part of the Rostec state conglomerate, has delivered another batch of new-build Su-35S multirole fighters to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), reinforcing one of the service’s key frontline combat aircraft fleets. The delivery was announced on 17 April and marks the latest in a continuing series of transfers intended to sustain operational readiness and modernise Russia’s tactical aviation inventory. According to official statemen

Piper Aircraft has announced the introduction of an advanced seven-blade MT-Propeller as a new factory option for its flagship M700 Fury single-engine turboprop, marking another step in the company’s ongoing programme of product refinement and performance enhancement. The announcement, made from Vero Beach, Florida, confirmed that the new propeller has received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for installation on the M7

Dassault Aviation’s upcoming Falcon 10X is set to introduce a significant first for the business jet sector with the adoption of what the company says is business aviation’s first all-composite wing. The new ultra-long-range flagship, currently in development, is expected to combine advanced materials, aerodynamic efficiency and long-range capability in a move that could influence future aircraft design across the segment. The Falcon 10X was launched as Dassault’s answer to g

Bell Textron has released initial operational data from its Nacelle Improvement (NI) Programme for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, reporting reductions in maintenance requirements and improved readiness rates among modified U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) CV-22 aircraft. The company said the upgraded nacelle system has now accumulated more than 10,000 flight hours, providing an early indication of how the changes are performing in active service conditions. Bel

Electric propulsion specialist magniX has unveiled a new air-cooled electric engine aimed squarely at the general aviation market, marking a further step in the company’s strategy to expand beyond commercial and regional aircraft applications into recreational and training segments. Announced on 14 April 2026 in Everett, Washington, and Lakeland, Florida, the new magniAIR engine is designed for light aircraft categories, including experimental, light sport, and flight trainin

Cirrus Aircraft says demand for its products in Europe remains strong as the manufacturer showcases two of its latest models at Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany. The company is presenting the updated SR Series G7+ piston aircraft and the new SF50 G3 Vision Jet, with the latter expected to receive European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification later this year. The European market currently represents around 10% of Cirrus’ global fleet, a share that has remained