By Rob Russell It was ugly to start with and got uglier as the British tried to put more stuff onto it. It reminded people of the Australian platypus with its monstrous, ugly nose! It was in the tradition of all British aircraft - build a good aircraft and then add on and on - remember the Canberra, with the cockpit on the side, almost as an afterthought and the original Hs25 series, where it looked like the cockpits were stuck on the front? The British Aerospace Nimrod AEW3

As Airlink, South Africa’s largest regional airline, continues an ambitious fleet renewal that already includes next-generation Embraer E195-E2 jets, attention is turning toward the future of its smallest regional aircraft, the Embraer ERJ135. The airline is now considering the Embraer E175-E2 as a potential successor for its ageing E135/E140 fleet, though such a move remains a long-term prospect rather than an immediate commitment. Embraer E175-E2 For decades, South Africa’s

Cirrus Aircraft has lifted the curtain on its 2026 SR Series G7+ lineup, introducing a suite of refinements across the SR20, SR22 and SR22T that further sharpen the ownership experience while reinforcing the brand’s long-standing focus on safety, connectivity and pilot convenience. The latest generation brings expanded avionics capabilities, enhanced global connectivity, refreshed design collections and, for the first time on the SR22, an optional four-blade composite propell

At a recent ceremony, Lockheed Martin handed over its 350th MH-60R "Romeo" helicopter to the United States Navy. The aircraft was formally accepted by Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41 during a ceremony at the company’s Owego, New York facility, underscoring the continued importance of the MH-60R as the world’s most advanced multi-mission maritime helicopter. HSM-41 serves as the U.S. Navy’s Helicopter Maritime Strike Fleet Replacement Squadron, responsible for tra

Gulfstream Aerospace has achieved another significant milestone with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) granting steep-approach landing certification to the Gulfstream G500 and G600. The approval further expands the operational flexibility of these award-winning business jets, enabling access to a wider range of airports across Europe and beyond, including those with challenging terrain, short runways, or noise-sensitive environments. The certification allows th

By Garth Calitz The Blohm & Voss BV 141 stands out in aviation history as one of the most unusual and radical aircraft designs ever flown. Developed in Germany in the late 1930s, its quirky, asymmetrical structure was born from a particular operational need: maximum observational visibility. However, it ended up being one of the Luftwaffe’s most fascinating engineering experiments. Despite strong performance in flight tests, it never achieved full-scale production, overshadow

Russia’s Tu-214 airliner has returned to frontline civil service after receiving formal approval for a major change to its standard design. The aircraft, now equipped with a modern suite of domestically produced avionics and onboard systems, has been certified by the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) following a positive conclusion from the Russian Aviation Register confirming compliance with all stated airworthiness requirements. The Certificate of Approval marks a

By Garth Calitz While much of the general aviation industry was winding down for the festive season, the atmosphere at Van’s Aircraft’s Aurora, Oregon headquarters remained electric. In a moment that will likely be recorded as a pivot point in the company’s storied history, the team marked two days before Christmas not with a holiday party, but with a milestone: the official commencement of customer deliveries for the highly anticipated RV-15. On the afternoon of 23 December,

BRM AERO has reached a major milestone in light aircraft certification with the Bristell B23, which has become the first aircraft in the world to receive EASA CS-23 approval while being powered by the Rotax 916iS engine. Certified on 17 December 2025, this approval introduces the highest-power Rotax option to the Bristell B23 lineup, enhancing the aircraft's capabilities for advanced training, touring, and demanding operations, such as glider towing. The EASA approval of the

Australia is a country celebrated for its breathtaking beauty and hospitable nature, but it is also marked by its extremes. Vast deserts stretch for hundreds of kilometres, rugged coastlines confront harsh seas, and bushland gives way to ravines and mountain ranges that challenge even experienced travellers. For emergency medical services (EMS) operators, the main threat isn't just the terrain or wildlife; it's the distance. When accidents or medical emergencies occur, patien