By Rob Russell What do you say? Comparing a large animal with a “mystical bird-like character” doesn't quite make sense! But these two nicknames are given to two very different, but actually very similar, transport aircraft. The moose is the nickname for the Boeing C-17 Globemaster, which continues a very successful line of large military transport. It can trace its success back to WW2, with the C-47 and C-54, followed by the legendary, still-produced C-130 Hercules, then t

By Garth Calitz Sixteen years after opening its doors ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, King Shaka International Airport remains one of ACSA’s most debated infrastructure projects. To some critics, it was an expensive “white elephant” built for a once-off global event, which has been pretty much derelict since. To others, it has become a vital economic gateway for Durban and the broader KwaZulu-Natal province. The reality today sits somewhere between those two extremes. When

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

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

Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium has successfully completed a demanding cold-weather demonstration campaign in northern Sweden, underlining the Brazilian-built airlifter’s growing credentials for operations in Arctic and high-latitude environments. Conducted at the Vidsel Test Range military facility, the March campaign was designed to assess the aircraft’s ability to perform in extreme winter conditions while also supporting modern dispersed operating concepts such as Agile Comba

Exercise Cold Response 26, a Norwegian-led multinational training event, has concluded following several weeks of operations across Norway, Sweden and Finland. The exercise brought together more than 25,000 military and civilian personnel from over a dozen NATO and partner nations, with a focus on improving interoperability, readiness and coordination in Arctic conditions. The training event incorporated air, land and maritime components, with air operations playing a central

The European air cargo market has welcomed a new entrant with the introduction of the first Embraer E190F passenger-to-freighter aircraft into commercial service. Bridges Air Cargo has officially launched operations with the type, marking a significant milestone for Embraer’s E-Freighter programme and opening a new chapter in regional express logistics across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The aircraft completed its inaugural commercial mission on 9 March 2026, departing

By Rob Russell The Aero Spacelines Super Guppy Turbine is a large, wide-bodied four engine turboprop cargo aircraft used for transporting outsize cargo components. It was produced by Aero Spacelines. Five were built in two variants, both of which were colloquially referred to as the "Super Guppy". The first Super Guppy, or "SG", was built directly from a retired USAF Boeing YC-97J Stratofreighter.. The fuselage was lengthened to 141 feet (43 m), and ballooned out to a maximum

Airbus’ A400M Atlas has long been known for its ability to operate in places where traditional heavy lifters simply dare not go. Now, the European airlifter has taken another leap forward. A new round of flight trials, this time on soft grass-covered runways, has demonstrated that the A400M can safely land, manoeuvre and take off at higher weights, from even more challenging strips. The result is a dramatic expansion in payload, reach and mission flexibility for operators acr

By Rob Russell When it comes to ugly aircraft, the poor ATL-98 Carvair would definitely merit a place of honour. Built from a classic WW2 aircraft, namely the DC-4, this one just looks plain ugly, although the designers had good intentions. Its bulbous nose, seemingly out of proportion with the rest of its body, gives this now-defunct plane a chubby, unmistakable appearance. This odd-looking plane was designed to fulfil a very particular mission in the 1950s: flying both cars