By Garth Calitz Sixty-four years ago, on 24 April 1962, one of the most distinctive utility aircraft ever built took to the skies for the first time. That aircraft was the PZL-104 Wilga, a rugged Polish design that would go on to earn an enduring reputation for toughness, versatility and outstanding short take-off and landing performance. As the Wilga marks the 64th anniversary of its maiden flight in 2026, it remains one of the most recognisable and respected light aircraft

AERO Friedrichshafen 2026 once again confirmed why it is regarded as Europe’s leading event for the general aviation industry, bringing together aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, pilots, operators, training organisations and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Held from 22 to 25 April at Messe Friedrichshafen in southern Germany, the exhibition showcased the latest developments in private flying, business aviation, advanced air mobility and sustainable flight technol

Sasol has taken a significant step toward entering the rapidly expanding sustainable aviation fuel market after receiving certification that could enable exports of its product to the European Union. The move positions the South African energy and chemicals group as a potential regional supplier of lower-emissions aviation fuel at a time when airlines, airports and regulators are searching for alternatives to conventional jet fuel. As pressure grows on the aviation industry t

“My strongest impression is the resilience of a community,” says US Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Reeves, speaking several months after the terrible Texas floods that claimed lives in the Texas Hill Country. The floods were immense, showing the frightening power of nature. In the case of Kerrville, heavy rainfall in the early hours of 4 July 2025 transformed the normally lazy Guadalupe River into a rushing onslaught in less than an hour, bursting its banks and catc

Peru has selected the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 70 as the future backbone of its combat aviation fleet, announcing plans to acquire 12 aircraft in a move aimed at strengthening national defence capabilities and modernising the country’s air force. The aircraft will be built by Lockheed Martin at its production facility in Greenville, South Carolina. The decision represents one of the most significant defence procurement steps taken by Peru in recent years. Th

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has issued a renewed warning over the growing dangers faced by civilian aircraft operating near or over conflict zones, calling on governments and industry stakeholders to strengthen measures designed to keep passengers, crews and aircraft safe. Speaking at the 2026 World Overflight Risk Conference in Valletta, Malta, ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar highlighted the increasing threat posed by modern military techn

Daher has announced the delivery of the 1,300th aircraft in its TBM family, reaching another major production milestone for one of general aviation’s most successful high-performance single-engine turboprop manufacturers. The announcement was made on April 22 during AERO Friedrichshafen, where the company is showcasing its latest TBM models. Since entering service in 1990, the TBM series has built a strong reputation for combining speed, efficiency and versatility. Designed t

Lockheed Martin has announced the successful completion of flight testing for the Digital Receiver Exciter Recorder (DREXR) upgrade developed for the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Conducted in partnership with Northrop Grumman, the milestone represents another step in the ongoing modernisation of one of the Navy’s most important airborne command-and-control platforms. The program is intended to keep the aircraft effective against rapidly evolving threats while ensuring i

Embraer has concluded a major international demonstration campaign for its KC-390 Millennium, with the aircraft visiting 11 countries, flying more than 47,000 nautical miles, and completing 54 flights over more than 70 days. The tour ended after the aircraft’s participation at FIDAE, one of Latin America’s leading aerospace exhibitions, before returning to Embraer’s defence headquarters in Gavião Peixoto. According to the manufacturer, the campaign achieved full mission compl

Few missions in aviation history have combined daring, innovation and strategic impact quite like the Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942. Conducted only months after the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, the raid marked the first American air strike against the Japanese home islands and provided a much-needed boost to Allied morale during one of the darkest periods of World War II. The operation, officially led by James H. Doolittle, demonstrated the growing adaptab