Textron Aviation has completed a major expansion of its flight test facilities at its East Wichita Campus, a move aimed at supporting growing global demand for the versatile Cessna SkyCourier and advancing development programmes across its turboprop aircraft portfolio. The expansion adds 57,000 square feet to the existing flight test hangar complex, including six new hangar bays on the northern side of the facility. The additional capacity will primarily support flight test o

China has taken another significant step toward the future of sustainable aviation after successfully completing the maiden flight of a hydrogen-powered aircraft in Hunan province. The test, conducted on April 4, 2026, saw a 7.5-tonne uncrewed cargo aircraft complete a 16-minute demonstration flight using a hydrogen-fuelled turboprop engine developed by the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC). The milestone highlights China’s growing ambitions in alternative aviation prop

The Russian-built Ilyushin Il-114-300 has successfully completed a new phase of certification testing in the Arctic, marking another milestone in the development of Russia’s domestic regional aviation programme. Conducted by specialists from the Ilyushin Aviation Complex, part of the United Aircraft Corporation under the umbrella of Rostec, the trials demonstrated the aircraft’s ability to operate in some of the harshest environmental conditions on Earth. The latest testing c

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

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

Daher has announced the delivery of the 1,300th aircraft in its TBM family, reaching another major production milestone for one of general aviation’s most successful high-performance single-engine turboprop manufacturers. The announcement was made on April 22 during AERO Friedrichshafen, where the company is showcasing its latest TBM models. Since entering service in 1990, the TBM series has built a strong reputation for combining speed, efficiency and versatility. Designed t

By Rob Russell On Thursday, March 26th, the Air Mercy Service marked its 60th anniversary. A gala cocktail party was held at the organisation's hangar complex at Cape Town International Airport to commemorate the occasion. From its humble beginnings in March 1966, based at Youngsfield airfield, next to Kenilworth racecourse, the Organization evolved into an independent Trust in 1994. The AMS is a non-profit organisation with active operational bases in the Western Cape (Cape

Brazil’s aviation authority has cleared the way for Daher Aircraft’s newest turboprop to enter one of South America’s most important private aviation markets. The Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil has officially certified the TBM 980, allowing deliveries to begin in Brazil and nearby countries. The approval marks another step in the aircraft’s global rollout, following earlier certifications in Europe and the United States. Daher introduced the TBM 980 in January at its facil

Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus has officially commenced construction of a major new sales, service and production facility at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (KSRQ), marking a significant expansion of the company’s industrial footprint in the United States. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Pilatus executives alongside representatives from local, regional and state authorities, signals the first phase of what is planned to become the company’s flagship U.

Daher has unveiled the latest evolution of its high-performance single-engine turboprop family, the TBM 980, marking a significant step forward in cockpit technology and passenger comfort. The new model integrates Garmin’s third-generation G3000® PRIME avionics suite while building on the proven performance and efficiency of the TBM 900-series. The TBM 980 was officially revealed at Daher Aircraft’s TBM production facility in Tarbes during an evening event attended by custome