By Garth Calitz Photos by Trevor Cohen, Esias Riekert and Garth Calitz On 18 November 2025, the quiet skies over Krugersdorp’s Jack Taylor Airfield (FAKR) were filled with wings, cheers and smiles, as hundreds of senior citizens from across Gauteng were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sample the joys of flight first-hand. The event was almost stopped in its tracks. Firstly, the date had to be hastily changed as the original date clashed with the G-20 summit that too

By Garth Calitz The long-anticipated MOSAIC regulation package from the FAA, which stands for Modernisation of Special Airworthiness Certification, represents the most substantial update to American light aviation regulations in 20 years. Supported by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), MOSAIC significantly broadens the capabilities of Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA), revises Sport Pilot privileges and establishes a contemporary, more adaptable certification framework for

By Rob Russell When it comes to ugly aircraft, the poor ATL-98 Carvair would definitely merit a place of honour. Built from a classic WW2 aircraft, namely the DC-4, this one just looks plain ugly, although the designers had good intentions. Its bulbous nose, seemingly out of proportion with the rest of its body, gives this now-defunct plane a chubby, unmistakable appearance. This odd-looking plane was designed to fulfil a very particular mission in the 1950s: flying both cars

By Garth Calitz Textron Aviation just announced that they're wrapping up production of two classic piston aircraft, the Beechcraft Baron G58 and Beechcraft Bonanza G36, in 2025. This marks the end of an incredible run that’s lasted almost 80 years and has made a huge impact on the light-aircraft scene for countless pilots, owners, and operators. For many in the aviation world, the Baron and Bonanza aren't just product lines; they're legends. Their unique mix of craftsmanship,

By Garth Calitz Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) are preparing to advance their collaboration by initiating a reciprocal codeshare agreement ahead of the busy holiday travel period. This development strengthens a partnership that has endured for nearly thirty years, enhancing travel connections for passengers throughout South Africa, the African continent, and globally. The enhanced codeshare agreement will enable Emirates passengers travelling to Johannesburg to effo

By Garth Calitz National Airways Corporation (NAC), a longstanding aviation institution in South Africa, celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2025. This milestone underscores eight decades of innovation, service, and leadership in general aviation. From its modest post-war origins to its present status as a diversified aviation group with a continental presence, NAC's journey is deeply embedded in the history of South African aviation. Established in 1945, NAC came into existenc

Embraer has marked another important milestone in its extensive and impactful history in agricultural aviation by delivering the 1,700th Ipanema cropduster. This milestone aircraft, an EMB-203 variant, was produced at the company's Botucatu facility in São Paulo and is destined for its new owner in Imperatriz, Maranhão, where it will be utilised for various agricultural spraying tasks. For an aircraft that has become a well-known and reliable presence over Brazil's farmlands,

Lockheed Martin's renowned Skunk Works® division has once more advanced the limits of contemporary air combat by successfully showcasing the in-flight control of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) directly from the cockpit of a 5th-generation fighter. This groundbreaking flight, carried out at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, signifies a crucial development in the progression of human-machine collaboration, a capability that is swiftly transforming airpower strategies globally. Du

By Garth Calitz On 14 November 2025, the South African civil aviation community came together in Gauteng for the third instalment of the glittering Civil Aviation Industry Awards (CAIA), hosted by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The event, now firmly established as the sector’s premier celebration, honoured both individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions across a range of categories from safety and security to innovation, transformat

By Garth Calitz The South African general aviation community convened at the scenic Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre to celebrate members who have shown exceptional performance over the past year. The location was perfect, with aircraft frequently flying overhead as they made their final approach to runway 03R at OR Tambo. This marked the second year the event was held at this venue. Once everyone was seated, the formal proceedings began with the skilled MC, David

Embraer and Airlink have advanced their longstanding partnership by signing a new Component Pool Program agreement to support Airlink's new fleet of ten Embraer E195-E2 jets. These aircraft, being leased from Azorra, represent the latest phase in Airlink's fleet modernisation strategy and further strengthen the regional carrier's dependence on Embraer's top-tier support ecosystem. For over twenty years, Airlink has been committed to operating Embraer aircraft and is now recog

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest and most internationally connected carrier in Africa, has reinforced its enduring partnership with Boeing by agreeing to acquire 11 more Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. This deal, finalised at the Dubai Airshow, includes 11 737-8 jets and represents a crucial advancement in the airline's ambitious expansion plan. The agreement strengthens Ethiopian Airlines' status as the African airline with the most Boeing aircraft on order, featuring the 737 MAX, 7

Pipistrel has reached a significant regulatory achievement as Transport Canada has officially validated the type certificates for three of its current aircraft models: the Pipistrel Explorer, Velis Club, and the fully electric Velis Electro. This approval represents an important advancement for Canadian operators, flight schools, and aviation innovators aiming to incorporate next-generation training aircraft into their fleets. With this validation, Canadian operators are now

Saab, Boeing, and BAE Systems have taken a significant step in reshaping the Royal Air Force's future fast-jet training process by signing a Letter of Intent to work together on the UK's upcoming Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) program. Focusing on the Boeing–Saab T-7 training system, this collaboration seeks to provide a state-of-the-art, fully integrated solution that will equip RAF pilots for the operational challenges of fourth-, fifth-, and even sixth-generation combat aircra

It is a rainy and windswept morning at Casement Aerodrome, located just southwest of Dublin. Sheets of rain move across the tarmac, and gusts exceeding 30 knots buffet the buildings and aircraft stationed on the apron. In Ireland, where the phrase “four seasons in one day” often holds true, the Irish Air Corps is used to flying in challenging conditions. Heavy rain, low clouds, and relentless winds are part of their daily operations, one of the many reasons Ireland chose the

flydubai has made a notable advancement in its long-term growth strategy by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with the possibility of acquiring an additional 75. Announced on 19 November 2025, this agreement represents the Dubai-based airline's fourth order for this model, solidifying the 737 MAX as the core of its growing fleet. The new agreement bolsters the airline's status as a leading operator of Boeing's single-aisle aircraft. W

By Garth Calitz We planned to head to Tedderfield on Friday afternoon, set up camp, and spend the day snapping photos of everyone arriving for the first camping fly-in at the famous Sling Aircraft homebase. Unfortunately, the weather had a different idea. Friday afternoon got hit with those classic highveld thunderstorms that went on all night, putting a damper on our camping plans. The updated itinerary had us heading to Tedderfield on Saturday morning, while closely monitor

Photos Trevor Cohen FlySafair has elevated fan engagement to unprecedented levels with the introduction of a vibrant Protea-themed aircraft livery, crafted by 22-year-old self-taught graphic artist and student Dinika Naidu from Gqeberha. This special edition aircraft, unveiled at FlySafair’s Johannesburg hangar on 4 November 2025, marks the first anniversary of the partnership between the airline and Cricket South Africa (CSA). The design was selected from numerous submission

By Garth Calitz In the history of Cold War aviation, few aircraft capture the daring and uniqueness of Soviet experimental design as clearly as the Bartini Beriev VVA-14. Developed in the 1970s, this amphibious vertical take-off aircraft was a futuristic hybrid intended to function as a seaplane, a flying boat and an ekranoplan, a ground-effect vehicle capable of skimming over the sea at high speeds. It was designed to address a significant threat: the increasing presence of

Federal Airlines (FedAir) has revealed a significant strategic expansion set to considerably enlarge its renowned lodge shuttle network throughout the Lowveld starting in May 2026. This initiative reinforces the airline's enduring position as the cornerstone of luxury safari connectivity in Southern Africa. It establishes a more organised, high-frequency schedule connecting major regional hubs with the nation's top private lodges. Starting in mid-May next year, FedAir will la

By Garth Calitz In a significant decision affecting the global cargo industry, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released an emergency airworthiness directive grounding all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and MD-11F aircraft. This directive, declared on 8 November, comes in response to the fatal crash of a UPS Airlines MD-11F during take-off at Louisville International Airport on 4 November. The FAA announced that it "has determined the unsafe condition is l

By Garth Calitz South African Airways (SAA) is attempting to step up its game in regional travel by launching a new twice-daily flight between Johannesburg and Gaborone, Botswana. The first flight took off on 4 November and management was quick to chalk it up as yet another big step in the national airline's growth across Africa. Speaking at the launch event in Gaborone, SAA Group CEO Professor John Lamola emphasised that the new route represents far more than an additional f

Textron Aviation has achieved a significant milestone with the FAA certification of its latest midsize business jet, the Cessna Citation Ascend. This accomplishment represents a crucial step towards its service launch later this year, reinforcing Ascend's status as the next advancement in the world's most successful midsize jet family. Designed and manufactured at Textron Aviation’s Wichita headquarters, the Citation Ascend represents a complete reimagining of the proven Cita

Boeing has officially broken ground on a major expansion of its Boeing South Carolina (BSC) site, the home of the 787 Dreamliner program. The move marks a significant investment in the future of the company’s widebody production as it gears up to increase 787 output to 10 aircraft per month by 2026. The expansion project will enable Boeing to address the increasing global demand for the 787 Dreamliner series, known for its long-range efficiency, passenger comfort, and economi