The Chippie 'Duster

Adapted as an agplane, now enjoying a second life as a glider tug, the only airworthy Mk 23 is a fine flying machine

Rusty PPL to MEP/IR in eighteen months

Inspired to fly again after a long period of absence from GA – and finding huge reward in training on state-of-the-art aircraft

RF47 recovery Part 3

As the project becomes ever more complicated and difficult, Bob turns to re-designing the instrument panel from scratch. Spoiler alert: the ending is not like that of a Hollywood movie

Flight training

News from the clubs, schools & ATOs

Replica racers revealed

A round-up of historic aircraft display and restoration news

Not Dead Yet

Environmental activists are seeking to shame air travellers and attacking business aviation. GA may soon be in their sights

Aerobility buys ex-RAF motor glider fleet

In a move that surprised many industry observers, the RAF’s fleet of 63 decommissioned Vigilant T1 motor gliders has been sold by the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation to the UK charity Aerobility.

Bell V-280 Valor speeds ahead

Bell Textron Inc has been selected as a project agreement holder for the competitive demonstration and risk reduction (CD&RR) effort of the US Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) programme.

A private air force to reckon with

When Air USA, a flight training contractor to the US Air Force, concludes its purchase of 46 former Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18 Hornets, it will have a fleet of fighters comparable to the Swiss Air Force.

My first long trip

Bob is a former professional pilot. In over thirty years of airline flying he has operated from more than 250 airports in every continent – except Antarctica

Goosed!

A memorable experience of flying a highly original Grumman Goose − tricky to taxi and somewhat laborious on the water but a benign and fun-to-fly machine in the air

The Isolated Aviator

Entertainment − and even flying practice − for the grounded pilot

California Dreamin'

... and something of a nightmare over Nevada. Touring US West Coast destinations, encountering bad weather and reflecting on flying freedom in the USA and at home

Safety Matters

Safety Matters and Safety Briefs are based on the AAIB Bulletin and UK Airprox Board reports, with additional material from the US National Transportation Safety Board.

COLDWAR LEGACY

Coming from a line of aerobatic aircraft designed to challenge the West, this aggressive looking Russian is more ballet dancer than bear

Books & Gear

Camera for the flying adventurer || Police Helicopter Operations Manual

Classic Book Choice

Dive Bomber by Robert A Winston, first published by George G Harrap & Co Ltd 1940, available second-hand £7 to £10, Amazon Kindle edition £3.78. Hardback, 192 pages, black and white illustration

Old Timers - A round-up of historic aircraft display and restoration news

Flitfire to UK

Safety Matters

Safety Matters and Safety Briefs are based on the AAIB Bulletin and UK Airprox Board reports, with additional material from the US National Transportation Safety Board.

SAAB's Sapphire

This jewel of an aircraft effortlessly fulfils its triple design role of trainer, tourer and aerobatic machine – and its easy handling will enchant any pilot

LIGHT SPORT CHAMP

It could have been a contender: while ACA’s much improved 7EC was the best Champ of all – and popular with owners – it only saw limited production

FIRST LOOK: Spacek SD-2

The best of both worlds: neatly designed, and constructed using a blend of traditional and modern techniques, Spacek’s top-performing two-seater is most definitely not ‘just another’ Rotax-powered European ultralight

DeLand wins out

With Sebring out of the running, the war of the Florida events is over and DeLand becomes the Sport Aviation Showcase

NTSB Criticises FAA In Wake Of Kobe Bryant Accident

The latest news from the world of rotary-wing aviation

How Low Can You Go?

The magic of history, an altimeter reading below zero and Air Force comrades reunited − all in one stunning flight over Israel

A Welcome Virus

This EASA-approved Slovenian Light Sport Aircraft comes well equipped, handles nicely, is speedy and will carry a decent load over a long distance with great efficiency

RF47 Recovery part 2

After importing the damaged Fournier, Bob’s real work begins. Restoring this one-off prototype to flying condition will be no walk in the park...

Game of drones

We are not making it up says one pilot, after two drone encounters led him to investigate further

Trying (not) to land

Sixteen years in the RAF, a decade as a civilian ETPS instructor and latterly commercial, Charlie has instructed on the majority of the 220 odd types he’s flown

Tecnam to deliver Special Mission P2012 Traveller

Survey firm AirborneHydroMapping has bought a Special Mission P2012