News

Retirement

USAF plots retirement of more than 300 aircraft in 2024

14th March 2023

As the USAF seeks to free up funding for various modernisation programmes, the air arm has revealed its desire to divest a staggering 310 aircraft from operational service – including 32 F-22A Block 20 Raptor fifth-generation air superiority fighters – as part of its FY24 budget request

Acquisitions

Spain opts to acquire additional PC-21s

14th March 2023

Having already ordered an initial batch of 24 turboprop-driven Pilatus PC-21s in early 2020, the Spanish Air and Space Force has further bolstered its commitment to the platform by acquiring a further 16 examples from the Swiss aircraft manufacturer, making it the largest operator of the PC-21 in Europe

Royal Air Force (RAF)

WIN! 1 of 5 pairs of tickets to Cosford Air Show

14th March 2023

The RAF Cosford Air Show will be held on Sunday 11th June 2023 and it is the only remaining RAF-organised air show. Closing date: 5th May 2023

PA-28 Warrior

Piper Warrior II lands in X-Plane 12

14th March 2023

Developed by AeroSphere, the Piper Warrior II for X-Plane 11 and 12 is built from the ground up with a new 3D model and realistic flight dynamics based on the real aircraft.

Flying light aircraft

New boss for Light Aircraft Association

14th March 2023

Simon Tilling has been appointed as the new CEO of the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) and starts in his new role in mid-April

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

BREAKING: Riyadh Air launches with major aircraft order

14th March 2023

Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier signs bumper commitment for widebody jets

BAE Systems

Ukrainian fighter pilots could learn to fly Typhoons in just a few months

13th March 2023

Ukrainian pilots could be trained to fly ex-RAF Typhoon fighter jets in a matter of months, a senior British MP has said

Boeing 314

Boeing B-314 Clipper for MSFS released

13th March 2023

Software developers and publishers, PILOT'S have released the Boeing B-314 Clipper for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Acquisitions

Malaysian Army chief announces Black Hawk acquisition

13th March 2023

Chief of the Malaysian Army, Gen Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Zamrose Mohd Zain, announced on March 11 that the service’s Army Aviation branch will get four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, with the newly acquired utility helicopters expected to arrive in-country from May or June 2023

Blackburn Buccaneer

Historic ‘Bucc’ heads indoors…

13th March 2023

Having spent a considerable period out in the open, Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B XV168 has been moved undercover…

Lockheed

Unique Electra to make UK public debut

13th March 2023

The Lockheed Electra flown on daring reconnaissance missions prior to World War Two is set to appear at a photoshoot later this month

Bomber Task Force (BTF)

USAF B-1Bs return home after Indo-Pacific deployment

13th March 2023

Rockwell B-1B Lancer supersonic-capable strategic bombers and personnel assigned to the USAF’s 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron returned to Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, on March 5 after completing a four-week Bomber Task Force deployment to the Indo-Pacific region

Acquisitions

Nigeria orders Cayuse Warrior Plus light attack helicopters

13th March 2023

MD Helicopters Inc announced on March 7 that the Nigerian Army had placed an order for 12 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Plus light attack/scout helicopters in an effort to bolster its counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations in-country