Textron Aviation’s iconic Beechcraft King Air 360 is set to make its debut in Mongolia after charter operator Hunnu Air placed the country’s first order for the twin-turboprop aircraft. The move marks another significant step in the expansion of Mongolia’s regional aviation sector, with the aircraft expected to enter service by the end of 2027. Hunnu Air plans to deploy the Beechcraft King Air 360 across a range of operations, including tourism-focused flights, VIP commuter s

By Garth Calitz Photos by Trevor Cohen and Garth Calitz At its heart, aviation has always been about more than aircraft, technology and engineering. It is about inspiration, possibility and the ability to open horizons that once seemed unreachable. Few events capture that spirit better than the annual Children’s Flight initiative, which once again brought South Africa’s aviation community together in May 2026 to provide an unforgettable experience for close to five hundred un

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

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

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

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

Airbus has delivered the first A321XLR to Air Canada, marking the introduction of the aircraft type into the Canadian market. The aircraft, one of 30 on order by the airline, is being leased from SMBC Aviation Capital. The delivery represents a key step in Air Canada’s ongoing fleet renewal programme, aimed at improving efficiency and expanding network flexibility. The A321XLR is positioned to bridge the operational gap between traditional short-haul narrowbody aircraft and l