News

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Boise Air Terminal for Microsoft Flight Simulator

20th September 2023

Located in Idaho, Boise Air Terminal is the main gateway of the state capital and home to general aviation, commercial, cargo and military aircraft.

Chicago

Chicago Executive Airport now available

20th September 2023

Arif Studio has announced Chicago Executive Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator is out now.

Finland

Kajaani Airport for MSFS released

20th September 2023

Kajaani Airport serves the capital of the Kainuu region in Finland. It handles general aviation traffic along with daily scheduled ATR-42 flights to Helsinki and charter flights up to the size of a Boeing 757.

Bomber Task Force (BTF)

USAF B-2As conclude Bomber Task Force deployment to Iceland

19th September 2023

Three B-2A Sprit stealth bombers from the USAF’s 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, landed at NAS Keflavik in Iceland on August 13 to begin a month-long Bomber Task Force-Europe deployment

Airbus A330

Air Belgium to halt all passenger services: what next?

19th September 2023

Air Belgium has announced that it is to close its passenger business and concentrate on cargo services and leasing aircraft to other carriers for cargo and passenger flights on an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) basis.

Acquisitions

F-15EX eyed as solution for Poland’s air dominance requirements

19th September 2023

In light of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia War and in line with its newly inflated defence budget, Poland is actively evaluating the purchase of a fleet of F-15EX Eagle IIs through the US DOD’s Foreign Military Sales programme to meet its requirement for a new air dominance fighter, according to Boeing

Northrop Grumman

USAF releases new B-21 stealth bomber images as engine tests begin

19th September 2023

The USAF announced on September 12 that the first B-21 Raider stealth bomber prototype had commenced engine runs at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Palmdale, California, as part of its ground test programme

Airstrike

Ukraine charts success in recent strikes against Russian forces in Crimea

19th September 2023

As was expected, the series of Ukrainian special operations against Russian high-value targets based in Russian-occupied Crimea that began in August continued in September

309th AMARG

Tinker AFB bids farewell to more E-3 Sentry AWACS

19th September 2023

A further two E-3B/G Sentry aircraft have taken off from Tinker AFB for the final time, having been flown from the Oklahoma base to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, to be placed in long-term storage as the USAF continues to drawdown its ageing AWACS fleet

Belgian Air Force

Belgium retires first F-16 from use after nearly 40 years of ops

19th September 2023

The Belgium Air Force withdrew its first F-16AM (MLU) Fighting Falcon from operational use on September 8, after the multi-role fighter reached the 8,000 flight hour milestone

Acquisitions

Indonesia presses forward with F-15EX Eagle II acquisition

19th September 2023

Indonesia is set to become the first export customer for the F-15EX after a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of at least 24 Eagle II fighters was signed during a recent visit of Indonesia’s Minister of Defence Prabowo Subianto to the firm’s F-15 production line in St Louis, Missouri

Airbus

Edelweiss reveals Airbus A340 replacement plans

19th September 2023

Swiss airline Edelweiss is modernising its long-haul fleet with the acquisition of six Airbus A350-900s.

Aermacchi MB-339

Bird strike considered as cause of fatal Frecce Tricolori crash in Turin

18th September 2023

An MB-339PAN jet trainer belonging to the Italian Air Force’s national aerobatic team, Frecce Tricolori (Tricolour Arrows), crashed just after taking off from Turin-Caselle Airport, northern Italy, on September 16, killing a five-year-old girl on the ground

Just Flight

FS Academy – Commander now available

18th September 2023

FS Academy – Commander consists of 12 challenging real-world scenarios, including emergency landings, system malfunctions, engine failure, instrument freeze, hazardous weather, etc.