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

By Garth Calitz The Taildraggers Fly-In, a favourite among aviators for the past 16 years, was on the verge of being removed from the aviation calendar. Richard Nicholson, who had been leading the event since its inception in 2009, decided to call it a day. Initially, Nylstroom was the event's home, hosting the first 10 gatherings. Unfortunately, the Nylstroom airfield was overtaken by an ever-expanding squatter camp, prompting the organisers to move the event to Warmbaths in

By Garth Calitz South Africa’s recreational aviation community once again converged on Middelburg Airfield in Mpumalanga as the Aero Club of South Africa hosted its annual Airweek gathering, normally one of the country’s largest fly-ins in the country. This year, the weather had other plans, a combination of tropical moisture and an unstable low-pressure system over the interior created ideal conditions for severe thunderstorms and iclemnet rain, and rain it did. My original

By Garth Calitz In a country where aviation often means gravel runways, high-density altitudes and long distances between fuel stops, aircraft need to be more than attractive machines; they need to be tough, simple and affordable. The Bat Hawk is exactly that. Over the years, this proudly South African light sport aircraft (LSA) has carved out a reputation as one of the most practical light aircraft operating on the continent. But the Bat Hawk’s story is about more than priva

There are few things in aviation as universally understood as the urge to share a great flying story. Whether it’s a sunrise departure from a quiet Highveld strip, a coastal hop with endless blue on the horizon or a triumphant first solo, pilots are natural storytellers. Now, Slingers around the world have an added incentive to post those moments. Sling Aircraft has officially kicked off the next round of its popular #TakingYouPlaces competition — and this time, the spotlight

By Garth Calitz When Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) authorised local manufacture of the Sling TSi light sport aircraft in early 2026, it was more than just another regulatory approval in a distant market. For South Africa’s aviation community, it marked another international milestone for one of the country’s most successful modern aerospace exports. From its roots in a Johannesburg hangar to production lines in the United States and now Brazil, Sling Aircraft

By Des Warden To my fellow aircraft owners, pilots and AMOs. The ongoing debate surrounding the so-called “12-year engine rule” did not arise suddenly, nor is it the result of a single regulatory decision. It is the outcome of more than two decades of incremental drift; a slow convergence of manufacturer guidance, regulatory interpretation, and, most critically, sustained inaction by General Aviation itself. The origin of the issue is well known. The engine manufacturers Lyc

Boeing has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to the global aviation community by announcing the continuation of its Platinum Level sponsorship of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) flagship event, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The renewed agreement, announced on 5 January 2026, extends the partnership for a further three years and ensures Boeing’s continued prominent presence at what is widely regarded as the world’s greatest aviation gathering. Since formally begi