Bell has reached another significant production milestone, announcing the delivery of the 700th Bell 505 helicopter during the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow. The landmark aircraft has been delivered to a private VIP operator, underscoring the Bell 505's growing popularity in the executive and corporate aviation market. The achievement comes less than a decade after the Bell 505 entered service in 2017, highlighting the strong global demand for the light single-engine

Eve Air Mobility has reached two significant milestones in the certification journey of its Eve 100 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, further strengthening the company's ambitions to bring the aircraft to global markets. Announced during the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow, the developments include the opening of a public consultation by Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) on updated airworthiness criteria for the Eve 100, as well as E

Cirrus has introduced the TRAC10, a purpose-built training aircraft aimed at professional flight schools, universities and pilot training organisations. The new aircraft represents an expansion of the company's dedicated training portfolio and has been designed to address the evolving requirements of modern commercial pilot training. Production of the TRAC10 will take place at Cirrus' headquarters in Duluth, Minnesota. The manufacturer expects to begin deliveries to customers

South Africa’s general aviation community is set to gain a significant new facility with the opening of Atlantic Aerodrome, a purpose-built aviation precinct located in the Swartland region, approximately 40 minutes from Cape Town’s city centre. The development is scheduled to open its first phase on 26 September 2026 and aims to provide a dedicated base for aircraft owners, flight schools, charter operators and aviation-related businesses seeking an alternative to the conges

By Garth Calitz The Industrial town of Secunda was the temporary home of the prestigious Presidents' Trophy Air Race for the 2026 edition. Secunda was built around the world's largest coal-to-liquids fuel facility operated by Sasol. This monster of industry is painfully visible from the airfield. Established in the 1970s to produce synthetic fuel and reduce the country's dependence on imported oil, the town has become a major economic hub in the area. Likewise, the Secunda F

By Garth Calitz After a long afternoon of waiting to find out who did what in this year's Presidents' Trophy Air Race, the Gala Dinner finally arrived. The formal function was held at the Boesies, which is located on the Lake Umuzi campus, which is a stone's throw from the Secunda Airfield. Tarry and Iaan Myburgh, the dynamic couple who were the driving force behind the 2026 PTAR, were forced out of their comfort zone completely when the regular MC, David le Roux, had to att

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

AERO Friedrichshafen 2026 once again confirmed why it is regarded as Europe’s leading event for the general aviation industry, bringing together aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, pilots, operators, training organisations and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Held from 22 to 25 April at Messe Friedrichshafen in southern Germany, the exhibition showcased the latest developments in private flying, business aviation, advanced air mobility and sustainable flight technol

Electric propulsion specialist magniX has unveiled a new air-cooled electric engine aimed squarely at the general aviation market, marking a further step in the company’s strategy to expand beyond commercial and regional aircraft applications into recreational and training segments. Announced on 14 April 2026 in Everett, Washington, and Lakeland, Florida, the new magniAIR engine is designed for light aircraft categories, including experimental, light sport, and flight trainin

Cirrus Aircraft says demand for its products in Europe remains strong as the manufacturer showcases two of its latest models at Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany. The company is presenting the updated SR Series G7+ piston aircraft and the new SF50 G3 Vision Jet, with the latter expected to receive European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification later this year. The European market currently represents around 10% of Cirrus’ global fleet, a share that has remained