By Garth Calitz The little taildragger that helped create an aviation dynasty and taught generations of pilots that landing isn't necessarily the end of the flight. There was a time when buying a four-seat aircraft didn't require selling a kidney, negotiating with three grumpy bank managers and explaining to your spouse why the family holiday had suddenly been postponed indefinitely. In 1948, Cessna introduced an aircraft that was relatively simple, practical, affordable and

By Garth Calitz The Extended 2,600-hour TBO could bring welcome relief to aircraft owners, flying schools and operators, but South African regulatory red tape may yet have something to say about it. There are few phrases more likely to induce an involuntary financial twitch for aircraft owners than "engine overhaul due". It usually comes with a calculator, a rather uncomfortable conversation with the bank manager, and the sudden realisation that flying may not be such an inex

By Garth Calitz A welcome reduction in maintenance costs for Robinson operators, with the potential to keep more helicopters flying and fewer sitting in hangars waiting for expensive component replacements. One hopes the SACAA will follow the FAA's lead on this. Robinson Helicopter Company has secured an important regulatory approval that could make owning and operating its popular R44 helicopter considerably more affordable. The FAA has approved extended service lives for al

By Garth Calitz Greece has ordered three aircraft, with options for another three, as the Brazilian manufacturer continues to make inroads into a market traditionally dominated by established military transport manufacturers. Embraer's KC-390 Millennium is continuing its impressive advance into the European military aviation market, with Greece becoming the latest NATO member to select the Brazilian-built military transport aircraft. The Hellenic Ministry of National Defence

By Garth Calitz Boeing has finally secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for its largest 737 MAX variant, the 737-10, marking a significant milestone for the American manufacturer and its efforts to complete the latest generation of its best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. Announced on 20 October 2026, the certification clears the way for Boeing to begin delivering the aircraft in the coming months. For an aircraft programme that has endured years

By Garth Calitz Mineral, semi-synthetic, fully synthetic, or the oil your AMO swears by? Few things can turn a perfectly civil gathering of pilots into an engineering dispute quite like asking what goes into the sump. There are few subjects in general aviation guaranteed to generate as much passionate discussion, unsolicited technical advice and outright certainty as engine oil. Mention the subject at a South African flying club and, within minutes, you will have one pilot ex

By Garth Calitz Archer’s Texas ambitions make for an attractive proposition, but the difference between a convincing demonstration flight and a commercially sustainable air taxi network is considerable. Skipping a 90-minute traffic jam in favour of a 15-minute flight sounds irresistible, until the passenger sees the fare, calculates the journey to the vertiport and discovers that the aircraft cannot necessarily depart whenever they feel like travelling. The economics of elect

By Garth Calitz For decades, the light piston twin was the aircraft of choice for pilots who wanted to travel farther, carry more and enjoy the reassurance of having a second engine. From the Beechcraft Baron and Piper Seneca to the Cessna 310, these aircraft became familiar sights at airports around the world, serving private owners, businesses, flying schools and charter operators. Today, however, the piston twin finds itself at a crossroads. Modern single-engine aircraft o

Brazil signed its Gripen contract in 2014, covering 36 aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force: 28 single-seat Gripen E fighters and eight two-seat Gripen F aircraft. But this was never intended to be a simple purchase-and-delivery arrangement. Technology transfer was central to the deal, with Brazilian engineers and technicians working alongside Saab on aircraft development, manufacturing, systems integration and flight testing. Embraer became a key industrial partner, helping

Bell Textron has marked the start of production of the first AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter destined for Nigeria, bringing the West African country a step closer to adding a modern dedicated attack helicopter to its military inventory. The milestone was commemorated on 16 September 2026 at Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Centre in Texas, where a Nigerian delegation toured the production facility and participated in a beam-signing ceremony on the aircraft’s frame. The event marks the