On Saturday, 17 January 2026, NASA marked a defining moment in the modern era of human spaceflight as the Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft completed their rollout to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The milestone signals the start of final launch preparations for the first crewed mission to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972 and represents a major step forward in the agency’s ambitious Artemis programme. The rollout began at 7:0

As the aviation sector enters 2026, Cathay Pacific is celebrating a significant milestone in its rich history with the official commencement of its 80th anniversary festivities. Embracing the theme "80 Years Together," the Hong Kong-based airline is honouring eight decades of linking its home city to the globe, while paying tribute to the individuals, partnerships, and collective journeys that have contributed to its legacy since its establishment in 1946. The anniversary pro

The U.S. Air Force has taken a significant step in upgrading its pilot training program with the official introduction of the first T-7A Red Hawk into operational service. The ceremony took place in early January 2026 at Joint Base San Antonio–Randolph, Texas. This event marks the transition of the advanced jet trainer from development and testing phases to being part of the Air Force’s active inventory, heralding a new chapter in undergraduate pilot training. The Boeing-Saab

By Garth Calitz Flying light aircraft in or near thunderstorms poses a considerable risk anywhere in the world, but this danger is especially pronounced in South Africa. The country's geography and climate are particularly favourable for severe convective weather, particularly in the summer. For general aviation pilots navigating around South Africa, especially the Highveld region, it is crucial to understand the distinctive features of South African thunderstorms for safe f

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

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

Spain has taken a decisive step in reshaping its military aviation capabilities, announcing an order for 100 Airbus helicopters as part of an ambitious national modernisation programme. Formalised on 18 December 2025 in Albacete, the contracts represent the largest single helicopter acquisition ever undertaken by the Directorate General for Armament and Material (DGAM) of the Spanish Ministry of Defence and form a central pillar of the National Helicopter Plan unveiled earlie

By Garth Calitz As widespread protests gripping Iran entered their third week, several major international airlines have suspended or cancelled flights to and from the Islamic Republic, citing safety concerns, operational challenges and a deteriorating civil situation. The disruptions have affected routes linking Tehran and other Iranian cities with hubs across the Middle East and beyond, leaving travellers facing uncertainty and airlines on alert. The cancellations began lat

By Garth Calitz On 6 January 2026, the aviation industry takes a moment to recognise a significant milestone. Exactly a century earlier, in the chilly winter atmosphere of Berlin, a merger occurred that would permanently change the course of global commerce and travel. The joining of Deutsche Aero Lloyd and Junkers Luftverkehr led to the creation of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Today, a hundred years after those groundbreaking times, Lufthansa marks its centenary not just as an airli

As we welcome a new year, all of us at Flightline Weekly would like to extend our best wishes to the aviation community, an industry defined by resilience, innovation and an unwavering passion for flight. A new year is always a time to look forward: new opportunities, new markets, new aircraft, new technologies and renewed momentum. For aviation-related businesses, it is also the ideal moment to ask an important question: Where will your brand be seen in the year ahead? Fligh

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,

For years, Garmin's Emergency Autoland system has been recognised as one of the most groundbreaking safety innovations in general aviation. This technology can completely control an aircraft, navigate to an appropriate airport, communicate with air traffic control and land safely without pilot intervention. However, until recently, it was primarily a theoretical concept, showcased in tests and simulations rather than real-life emergencies. This changed when Emergency Autoland

At the end of 2025, the midsize business jet market saw a major new addition with the official entry into service of the Cessna Citation Ascend, delivered to its first retail customer on 30 December. This milestone represents the completion of a program announced in 2023 and demonstrates Textron Aviation's commitment to enhancing performance, technology, and cabin experience in one of the most competitive sectors of business aviation. The Citation Ascend received type certifi

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

By Garth Calitz Urban transportation transformed on December 19, 2025. At Embraer’s famous flight test facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, a quiet revolution unfolded in the air. Eve Air Mobility embarked on the flight-test phase of its mission, achieving the first hover flight of its full-scale, uncrewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) prototype. For an industry that has long vowed to turn "The Jetsons" from fiction into reality, this milestone signifies mo

By Garth Calitz As the year draws to a close and hangars grow a little quieter, the festive season offers us a welcome moment to pause and reflect on another remarkable yet difficult year in aviation. It has been a year shaped by innovation, adversity, resilience and the enduring passion that unites pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, manufacturers, operators, regulators, and aviation enthusiasts across the globe. Despite ongoing challenges and rapid change, the aviat

By Rob Russell The DC 4 gets another panel beating and a new shape!!! Douglas Aircraft developed the C-124 from 1947 to 1949, from a prototype they created from a World War II-designed Douglas C-74 Globemaster and based on lessons learned during the Berlin Airlift. The aircraft was powered by four large Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major piston engines producing 3,800 hp (2,800 kW) each. The C-124 had its origins in the C-74. The Douglas C-74 Globemaster was a United States he

By Garth Calitz Ethiopia's geological "sleeping giant" has stirred, and its initial stirrings have thrown the global aviation industry into chaos. On Sunday, 23 November 2025, the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted for the first time in over 12,000 years. While the eruption has had a significant local impact on livestock and nomadic communities, the atmospheric effects have led to a logistical crisis extending from the Horn of Africa to the Indian subcontin

Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) is making a strong case for its R66 turbine helicopter as the future of military initial rotary-wing training. The Torrance, California-based manufacturer recently announced that a combined fleet of just six R66 aircraft has surpassed 2,300 total flight hours in less than 7 months of operation. This substantial accumulation of flight time is currently being logged across a spectrum of U.S. military training efforts involving Army, Navy, Coast

In the high-stakes environment of naval aviation, where split-second decisions are the difference between mission success and catastrophe, the interface between pilot and machine is undergoing a radical transformation. On 12 December 2025, Collins Elbit Vision Systems (CEVS) announced a pivotal leap forward: the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Zero-G Helmet Mounted Display System+ (HMDS+). This milestone represents a significant turning point

In a landmark decision underscoring Canada's commitment to strategic and sovereign aerospace capabilities, the Government of Canada has selected the made-in-Canada Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to bolster the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) multi-mission air transport fleet. This significant procurement sees Bombardier providing six of its high-performance Global 6500 jets, a move that promises to enhance the RCAF's capacity for crucial worldwide utility and support missi