The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) is celebrating a significant milestone in its modern training era, as its fleet of Beechcraft T-6C Texan II aircraft surpasses 40,000 flying hours, equivalent to flying continuously for four and a half years. Since their induction into the fleet in 2015, the Texans have become integral to New Zealand's military pilot training, operated by No. 14 Squadron at RNZAF Base Ohakea. These aircraft serve as the primary training platform for asp

By Garth Calitz Flying light aircraft offers an incredible sense of freedom and mastery over the skies. Yet, that same sky can turn from tranquil to terrifying when thunderstorms appear, which is very common in the inland provinces of South Africa. For pilots of smaller aircraft, few weather phenomena are more dangerous, or less forgiving, than a mature cumulonimbus cloud. Avoidance, preparation, and sound judgment are the keys to survival. Understanding how thunderstorms for

Germany has reiterated its dedication to European defence and air dominance by placing an order for 20 advanced Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. This contract, granted to Airbus Defence and Space, involves the production of these multi-role combat jets at the company's final assembly facility in Manching, near Munich. Deliveries are set to commence in 2031, with the last aircraft anticipated to enter service by 2034. The order represents a pivotal milestone in the continued deve

By Garth Calitz When the First World War came to an end, the world’s gaze shifted from the devastation of the battlefield to the limitless promise of the skies. Aviation, born barely a decade earlier, had proven itself in war, but now it was time for flight to serve humanity in peace. Among the pioneering minds shaping that future was a young American inventor whose restless genius and fearless experimentation would forever change the way aircraft were flown. His name was Law

Airlink and Air Austral have made a significant move to enhance air connectivity throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean by entering into a bilateral Special Prorate Agreement (SPA), now in effect. This collaboration provides passengers of both airlines access to a wide range of new destinations, ensuring increased flexibility, convenience, and smooth travel choices. With this new arrangement, Air Austral passengers traveling from Réunion Island can now access Airlink’s extens

EHang Holdings Limited, a global leader in advanced air mobility (AAM), has broadened its product offerings with the official launch of the VT35, a next-generation long-range pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Building upon the earlier VT30 prototype, the VT35 features substantial enhancements in aerodynamics, structure, and systems, designed to extend autonomous aerial operations beyond urban areas to regional and intercity routes. The aircraf

Growthpoint Properties, the largest listed real estate group in South Africa, has initiated a significant partnership with Cape Winelands Airport, poised to transform the aviation, logistics, and tourism sectors in the Western Cape. This agreement marks Growthpoint's inaugural venture into the aviation infrastructure sector, positioning it as a key player in the development and management of what is anticipated to be South Africa's next-generation airport precinct. This priva

The Cirrus Vision Jet, recognised as the world’s first single-engine personal jet, consistently establishes new standards in personal and business aviation. Since its introduction to the market, the Vision Jet has dominated its segment, maintaining its position as the best-selling model for seven consecutive years. As it approaches its 10th anniversary, Cirrus has delivered 700 aircraft and expanded its ownership support infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency for bu

By Garth Calitz Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Magaliesburg foothills, between Olifantsnek Pass and Buffelspoort Dam, Airspan Airfield once again came alive for the Sun ’n Fun 2025 Fly-In. With its 900-meter tar runway, friendly atmosphere, excellent facilities and scenic surroundings, Airspan provided the perfect venue for a weekend celebrating the spirit of aviation. Many of the attendees were planning on making a weekend of it, camping under their wing, but

By Garth Calitz When an aircraft manufacturer reaches a three-digit delivery milestone, it signifies the maturation of a product, production system, and owner community. For Epic Aircraft, delivering its 100th certified aircraft marks its evolution from a boutique builder to a sustained producer of high-performance turboprops. On September 19, 2025, Epic announced this milestone at its 11th Annual Odyssey Fly-In in Bend, Oregon, revealing that the 100th aircraft, an E1000 AX

By Garth Calitz In just ten months, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has reimagined the iconic UH-60L Black Hawk into a fully autonomous aircraft system: the S-70UAS U-Hawk. This next-generation unmanned helicopter marks a significant leap forward in vertical lift autonomy, offering 25% more cargo space and a design tailored for flexibility, endurance, and affordability. Unveiled at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exposition, the U-Hawk demonstrates how a

Exercise Volfa 2025, held from September 22 to October 10, 2025, stands as the French Air and Space Force's premier annual high-intensity combat training event. Hosted in southwestern France, this exercise brought together over 1,000 personnel and approximately 50 aircraft from four NATO nations, including France, Italy, Greece, and the United Kingdom. The primary objective was to enhance interoperability among allied forces and prepare them for operations in contested airspa

By Garth Calitz In a landmark move symbolising deepening defence ties between the United States and Qatar, the two nations have agreed to establish a Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The announcement, made on October 10, 2025, by US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Qatari Defence Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, marks the first time that Qatar will operate a dedicated military facility on US soil. The new faci

In a groundbreaking step for both healthcare and aviation, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has unveiled plans to establish the United Arab Emirates’ first hospital-based vertiport, in collaboration with Archer Aviation. The initiative marks a bold leap into the era of advanced air mobility (AAM), promising faster, quieter, and more sustainable transport options for patients, visitors, and time-critical medical logistics. The planned vertiport will provide direct eVTOL (electric ve

By Garth Calitz In a continued vote of confidence for Boeing’s rotorcraft modernisation efforts, the US Air Force has awarded the aerospace manufacturer a $173 million contract for the production of eight additional MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, including comprehensive training and sustainment support services. The latest order reinforces the Air Force’s commitment to replacing its venerable UH-1N “Huey” fleet, which for decades has safeguarded America’s nuclear missile fiel

The sixth edition of the Leonardo Drone Contest, held on 1–2 October 2025 as part of Italian Tech Week, saw Tor Vergata University emerge as the overall winner. The team was awarded on stage for their outstanding performance, with Politecnico di Milano securing second place and the University of Naples Federico II finishing third. This year, over 50 university students from seven Italian institutions competed in the event, which has become a cornerstone of Open Innovation in

By Garth Calitz If you've been following South African general aviation, even just casually, the last few months might have felt like...

By Rob Russell The Edgley EA-7 Optica was a British light aircraft designed for low-speed observation work, and intended as a low-cost...

In Peru today, Beechcraft aircraft are playing a crucial role in saving lives, particularly in remote and underserved regions where...

The Kingdom of Sweden has procured four C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft from Embraer. The contract also includes seven additional...

Gulfstream Aerospace has unveiled the Gulfstream G300, a next-generation super-midsize business jet designed to succeed the G280. This...

Since early 2025, an H145 helicopter has been engaged in offshore missions in the Ivory Coast with International Aircraft Services (IAS)....

Less than a year after demonstrating the flight efficiency and reliability of its groundbreaking rotor-blown wing VTOL (Vertical Take-Off...

Bombardier announced that its Global 7500 business jet, renowned for its industry-defining capabilities, has achieved a new performance...