The Sukhoi Su-35S represents the most advanced and capable evolution of Russia’s famed Flanker family, blending extreme aerodynamic performance with modern sensors, powerful engines and multi-role flexibility. While often described as a “4++ generation” fighter, the Su-35S sits at the very top of non-stealth combat aircraft in service today and remains a cornerstone of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). The Su-35S traces its lineage to the Su-27, an aircraft originally desig

By Garth Calitz The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Air Command has received a substantial consignment of C-130 Hercules spare parts and maintenance equipment from the United States, reinforcing a long-standing defence partnership and significantly improving the operational readiness of Botswana’s strategic airlift fleet. The package, valued at close to US$ 1 million, includes a broad range of consumables, tooling, and aircraft components essential to sustaining C-130 operations

By Rob Russell In the early 1970s, following the successful launch of the first wide-body airliner, the 747, Boeing began looking to further develop its narrow-body 727. Designed for short and medium-length routes, the trijet was the best-selling jetliner of the 1960s and a mainstay of US and European airlines. Studies focused on improving the 189-seat 727-200, the most successful variant. Two approaches were considered: a stretched 727 (to be designated 727-300), or an all-n

By Garth Calitz The global commercial aviation industry closed 2025 with airliner sales at levels not seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring airlines’ urgent need to modernise fleets, restore capacity and meet long-term growth projections. While aircraft demand remained exceptionally strong across all market segments, persistent production constraints continued to define the pace at which manufacturers could deliver on record order books. At the heart of the ma

Qatar Airways is set to significantly expand its South African network in early 2026, adding 7 extra weekly flights to the country. The increase will lift the carrier’s total South Africa capacity from 35 to 42 weekly services, reinforcing the airline’s long-term commitment to the market and underlining growing demand for travel between Southern Africa and the rest of the world via Doha. The expanded schedule will be phased in from mid-February to early March 2026 and will se

In a move that underscores both ambition and strategic foresight, Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest and most globally connected carrier, has confirmed a firm order for nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, marking a significant expansion of its widebody fleet as international travel demand continues to grow. The announcement, made on January 20, 2026, reflects the airline’s commitment to fleet modernisation, sustainable operations, and enhanced global connectivity. The ne

By Des Warden To my fellow aircraft owners, pilots and AMOs. The ongoing debate surrounding the so-called “12-year engine rule” did not arise suddenly, nor is it the result of a single regulatory decision. It is the outcome of more than two decades of incremental drift; a slow convergence of manufacturer guidance, regulatory interpretation, and, most critically, sustained inaction by General Aviation itself. The origin of the issue is well known. The engine manufacturers Lyc

The Bristow Group has made a significant move in influencing the future of regional and point-to-point air mobility by signing a pioneering Pre-Delivery Payment (PDP) deposit agreement with Electra. This agreement secures the first delivery slot for the EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft. The multimillion-dollar agreement converts Bristow’s earlier Letter of Intent into binding commercial terms for five EL9 aircraft, all scheduled for delivery during the model’s first y

Daher has unveiled the latest evolution of its high-performance single-engine turboprop family, the TBM 980, marking a significant step forward in cockpit technology and passenger comfort. The new model integrates Garmin’s third-generation G3000® PRIME avionics suite while building on the proven performance and efficiency of the TBM 900-series. The TBM 980 was officially revealed at Daher Aircraft’s TBM production facility in Tarbes during an evening event attended by custome

By Rob Russell It was ugly to start with and got uglier as the British tried to put more stuff onto it. It reminded people of the Australian platypus with its monstrous, ugly nose! It was in the tradition of all British aircraft - build a good aircraft and then add on and on - remember the Canberra, with the cockpit on the side, almost as an afterthought and the original Hs25 series, where it looked like the cockpits were stuck on the front? The British Aerospace Nimrod AEW3