By Garth Calitz We planned to head to Tedderfield on Friday afternoon, set up camp, and spend the day snapping photos of everyone arriving for the first camping fly-in at the famous Sling Aircraft homebase. Unfortunately, the weather had a different idea. Friday afternoon got hit with those classic highveld thunderstorms that went on all night, putting a damper on our camping plans. The updated itinerary had us heading to Tedderfield on Saturday morning, while closely monitor

Photos Trevor Cohen FlySafair has elevated fan engagement to unprecedented levels with the introduction of a vibrant Protea-themed aircraft livery, crafted by 22-year-old self-taught graphic artist and student Dinika Naidu from Gqeberha. This special edition aircraft, unveiled at FlySafair’s Johannesburg hangar on 4 November 2025, marks the first anniversary of the partnership between the airline and Cricket South Africa (CSA). The design was selected from numerous submission

By Garth Calitz In the history of Cold War aviation, few aircraft capture the daring and uniqueness of Soviet experimental design as clearly as the Bartini Beriev VVA-14. Developed in the 1970s, this amphibious vertical take-off aircraft was a futuristic hybrid intended to function as a seaplane, a flying boat and an ekranoplan, a ground-effect vehicle capable of skimming over the sea at high speeds. It was designed to address a significant threat: the increasing presence of

Federal Airlines (FedAir) has revealed a significant strategic expansion set to considerably enlarge its renowned lodge shuttle network throughout the Lowveld starting in May 2026. This initiative reinforces the airline's enduring position as the cornerstone of luxury safari connectivity in Southern Africa. It establishes a more organised, high-frequency schedule connecting major regional hubs with the nation's top private lodges. Starting in mid-May next year, FedAir will la

By Garth Calitz In a significant decision affecting the global cargo industry, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released an emergency airworthiness directive grounding all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and MD-11F aircraft. This directive, declared on 8 November, comes in response to the fatal crash of a UPS Airlines MD-11F during take-off at Louisville International Airport on 4 November. The FAA announced that it "has determined the unsafe condition is l

By Garth Calitz South African Airways (SAA) is attempting to step up its game in regional travel by launching a new twice-daily flight between Johannesburg and Gaborone, Botswana. The first flight took off on 4 November and management was quick to chalk it up as yet another big step in the national airline's growth across Africa. Speaking at the launch event in Gaborone, SAA Group CEO Professor John Lamola emphasised that the new route represents far more than an additional f

Textron Aviation has achieved a significant milestone with the FAA certification of its latest midsize business jet, the Cessna Citation Ascend. This accomplishment represents a crucial step towards its service launch later this year, reinforcing Ascend's status as the next advancement in the world's most successful midsize jet family. Designed and manufactured at Textron Aviation’s Wichita headquarters, the Citation Ascend represents a complete reimagining of the proven Cita

Boeing has officially broken ground on a major expansion of its Boeing South Carolina (BSC) site, the home of the 787 Dreamliner program. The move marks a significant investment in the future of the company’s widebody production as it gears up to increase 787 output to 10 aircraft per month by 2026. The expansion project will enable Boeing to address the increasing global demand for the 787 Dreamliner series, known for its long-range efficiency, passenger comfort, and economi

This week, a significant milestone in aviation history took place in California's skies as Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, collaborating with NASA, successfully conducted the inaugural flight of the X-59. This innovative supersonic research aircraft is engineered to travel faster than sound without the disruptive sonic boom that has historically restricted supersonic travel over land. The X-59, an elegant, needle-nosed experimental jet, departed from U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in P

The spirit of adventure and innovation that has long defined American backcountry aviation reached new heights, literally, when a factory-stock CubCrafters Carbon Cub UL climbed to a verified altitude of 37,609 feet above sea level. The flight, conducted on October 28, 2025, shattered expectations and set an unofficial world altitude record for Cub-type aircraft, eclipsing a benchmark that had stood for nearly three-quarters of a century. Piloted by Jon Kotwicki of Fly8MA Fli

By Garth Calitz The North American X-15A-2 represents one of the most striking chapters in the history of hypersonic flight. It was a radical, purpose-designed modification of an already groundbreaking rocket plane, testing the limits of materials, aerodynamics and pilot endurance. Unlike a sleek airshow performer, the X-15A-2 functioned as a rugged flying laboratory. It was stripped down, elongated, and reinforced to address one primary question: how does a piloted vehicle p

For all the Chopper enthusiasts, Robinson Helicopter Company has released its highly anticipated book, Climb Higher: Worldwide Adventures with Robinson Helicopters . The publication marks a milestone moment for the iconic California-based manufacturer, chronicling nearly five decades of engineering excellence, industry disruption, and a steadfast commitment to making helicopter flight accessible to pilots around the world. "Climb Higher" tells the story of Frank D. Robinson,

By Garth Calitz The US government shutdown that kicked off at the beginning of October has turned the nation's aviation system into a comedy of errors, turning usual travel plans into an unexpected episode of “Survivor: Airport Edition.” While commercial flights are still taking off, the US skies are not exactly friendly. With more employees staying at home, processing is moving slower than a sloth on Sunday and staffing levels are making a skeleton crew look overstaffed. Del

By Garth Calitz Boeing has taken a major step in assisting in enhancing Australia’s maritime surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities with the induction of the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon into a comprehensive upgrade program. At the same time, the RAAF has welcomed its 13th Poseidon aircraft into service, further strengthening Australia’s fleet readiness and operational reach across its extensive maritime domain. This milestone signifies a new ph

As seen by Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth Currently deployed on Operation Highmast, the Royal Air Force (RAF) finds itself at a fascinating crossroads of heritage and innovation. During Exercise Falcon Strike, British pilots are flying alongside Italian allies in a mixed fleet environment that includes aircraft deeply familiar to generations of RAF aircrew, the Harrier and Tornado. Once the backbone of British air power, these legacy platforms now operate in synergy with fifth-

By Garth Calitz The Indonesian Air Force has received its first Airbus A400M Atlas, representing a major advancement in the country's ongoing efforts to modernise its airlift fleet and enhance its regional operational capabilities. Delivered by Airbus Defence and Space to the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, this aircraft marks a significant milestone for both Indonesia and Airbus, as Indonesia becomes the tenth global operator of the A400M. The delivery ceremony took place at

Two US Navy aircraft from the USS Nimitz crashed in separate incidents within half an hour of each other over the South China Sea, prompting parallel investigations into one of the most unusual operational mishaps to strike a US carrier air wing in recent years. According to statements from the US Pacific Fleet, an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet went down roughly 30 minutes apart during routine operations on Sunday afternoon. Both crashes o

By Rob Russell We have all seen, heard, read, and some of us have flown in aircraft with two decks. The most famous being the B747 – undeniably the Queen of the skies, followed by the Airbus A380, a majestic proper double-decker and then the mighty Lockheed Galaxy C5, a proper multi-purpose beast, if ever there was one. But how many of you have heard of the Breguet 763 “Deux-Ponts”? The first purpose-built two-deck aircraft to be certified for passenger transport, it was deve

By Garth Calitz After being dormant since the Concorde's retirement in 2003, commercial supersonic flight is making a comeback, not as a nostalgic revival but as a product redesigned with technological, economic and social advancements. This new era of high-speed travel is propelled by improvements in aerodynamics and materials, innovative engine and propulsion designs, a greater focus on sustainability, and extensive regulatory efforts to mitigate the sonic boom and communit

By Garth Calitz Prepare for the return of the Red Bull Flugtag in South Africa this November! This exciting event, centred around human-powered flight, will feature one of the nation's most renowned aviation personalities. Brian Emmenis, the founder of the famous Capital Sounds broadcasting company, is slated to be the official aviation host for the 2025 Red Bull Flugtag at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Emmenis, affectionately known as the "Voice of South African Airshows,

Garmin has introduced two new models to its esteemed lineup of pilot smartwatches: the D2 Air X15 and the D2 Mach 2. These watches are specifically crafted to cater to the diverse needs of aviators, from recreational pilots to professionals operating high-performance aircraft. Both models enhance Garmin’s tradition of merging aviation-ready technology with lifestyle features, effectively combining cockpit precision with everyday comfort. At first glance, the D2 Air X15 and D2

Back by popular demand, Diamond Aircraft has announced that the iconic DA20i Katana will once again be produced at its European facility in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. The order books are now open. In response to increased demand from flight schools, flying clubs, and private owners, Diamond Aircraft is restarting production of this two-seater, single-engine piston aircraft, renowned for its performance, reliability and value in training. The DA20i Katana, constructed in Europe

The Republic of Korea Air Force has contracted L3Harris Technologies to supply modified Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft for airborne early warning and control (AEW&C). L3Harris is collaborating with Bombardier, ELTA Systems from Israel Aerospace Industries, and Korean Air to deliver this advanced capability. The program is valued at over $2.26 billion. These aircraft are designed to fly at higher speeds and for extended durations to enhance the nation's mission readiness. The

Airbus Helicopters is advancing the limits of contemporary aviation with a bold vision: facilitating seamless collaboration between helicopters and drones. This concept, referred to as crewed–uncrewed teaming, has the potential to revolutionise mission execution in areas such as military operations, disaster response and environmental monitoring. Victor Gerin-Roze, Head of UAS Business at Airbus Helicopters, explains that the strategy focuses on enhancing the efficiency of cr