The delivery flight of a newly acquired helicopter is often little more than a routine ferry mission, but for Airborne Group owner Max Lunov and crew member Nazar Doroshkevych, their latest journey became a remarkable demonstration of endurance, planning and confidence in the capabilities of the Bell 505. Max Lunov (left) taking possession of his Bell 505 from Patrick Moulay The pair recently completed a transatlantic ferry flight in their new Bell 505, travelling more than 1

By the end of this decade, uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (UCCA) will support crewed fighter jets on their missions. Wondering what a UCCA is? Let's try to answer the most commonly asked questions. Imagine you are the pilot of a Eurofighter or an F-35, tasked with taking out an air defence position in a heavily protected zone. Thanks to seamless connectivity, you are not tackling this mission alone – far from it. All the information you need is consolidated in your co

Piaggio Aerospace has secured the first customer order for its newly launched P.180 Avanti NX, marking an important milestone for the Italian manufacturer as it works to rebuild momentum following several years of financial uncertainty and restructuring. The announcement was made during AERO Friedrichshafen 2026, where Piaggio confirmed that a European operator had signed a contract for two Avanti NX aircraft. The aircraft will be delivered in an executive business configurat

NASA has continued its airborne research operations in support of earthquake science and satellite calibration, with the agency’s Gulfstream III completing a series of missions over Central California on April 29. Operating from NASA Armstrong Flight Research Centre, the aircraft carried the sophisticated Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) system to collect detailed geophysical data along the San Andreas Fault system. The latest missions form part of

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