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

By Garth Calitz In a moment that neatly blurred the lines between motorsport theatre and precision aviation, Red Bull athlete and Rotax brand ambassador Luke Czepiela has become the first pilot to fly the complete racing line of the Bahrain International Circuit from the air. The low-level flight, captured in the short film Aircraft Meets Racetrack, was unveiled by BRP-Rotax in February 2026 and premiered during the circuit’s official Formula 1 pre-season press conference in

By Garth Calitz Textron Aviation has once again taken top honours across multiple delivery categories in the global general aviation market, reaffirming its position as one of the industry’s most reliable heavy-hitters. According to the latest annual shipments and billings report published by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the Wichita-based manufacturer led the field in total business jet deliveries, total turbine aircraft deliveries, and total turbopr

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration has selected the BRM Aero's Bristell trainer to support the Republic of Korea Air Force’s initial pilot training programme, reinforcing ROKAF’s efforts to modernise and future-proof its training pipeline. The multi-year agreement, announced on 6 February 2026, will introduce a new generation of training aircraft into Air Force service as part of a broader push to enhance training efficiency and operational readiness. Un

India’s ambitions to build a homegrown regional aviation manufacturing ecosystem took a tangible step forward this week as Adani Defence & Aerospace and Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer exchanged an enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore establishing a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the Embraer E175 regional jet in India. The agreement was formalised in the presence of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and India’s Minister of Commerce & Indus

EGYPTAIR has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s long-haul fleet modernisation programme and positioning the carrier as the launch operator of the type in North Africa. The handover, completed in Toulouse on 9 February 2026, is the first step in a broader acquisition plan that will see EGYPTAIR introduce 16 A350-900s into service over the coming years. The new aircraft is expected to play a central role in reshaping th

By Garth Calitz The Boeing Company has secured a new contract from the United States Air Force to modernise the flight deck of the C-17A Globemaster III, ensuring that the iconic strategic airlifter remains operationally relevant well into the second half of the 21st century. The programme will see the design, manufacture, integration, qualification and military certification of a fully modernised cockpit, replacing ageing avionics and mission-essential equipment with a conte

Bombardier’s Global 8000 has officially completed its certification grand slam. Following approvals from Transport Canada in November 2025 and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in December 2025, the ultra-long-range flagship has now received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification, clearing the final major regulatory hurdle for widespread global operations. The milestone not only broadens the aircraft’s market access across Europe and beyond, but als

Air Canada has quietly turned last year’s “undisclosed” widebody order into a very visible statement of intent, confirming a firm purchase for eight Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. While eight aeroplanes may sound modest in an industry accustomed to headline-grabbing mega-orders, the choice of variant speaks volumes about where Canada’s flag carrier sees its long-haul future heading. The A350-1000 represents the largest and longest-legged member of Airbus’ A350 family, designed to

By Garth Calitz ExecuJet has been appointed as the sole Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at Sydney International Airport, a move that reshapes the business aviation landscape at Australia’s primary international gateway. The strategic appointment follows a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation of leading international FBO operators and underscores Sydney Airport’s ambition to partner with a provider capable of delivering a premium, future-focused service offering for VIP passengers, crew