Leading Edge
Seldom has there been greater optimism about British aviation as when the DH106 Comet jet airliner first took to the air 75 years ago, and stole a march on the world. As we now know, a run of tragedies meant the lead wouldn’t last. But how had de Havilland achieved such a coup? In an article written specially for The Aeroplane in May 1952, just as the Comet 1 was entering service, the company’s chief designer R. E. Bishop described the thinking behind this commercial pioneer
Netherlands closes in on end of ‘Viper’ era
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) will officially retire its surviving F-16AM/BM (MLU) Fighting Falcon fighters from use on September 27, formally bringing more than 45 years of Dutch ‘Viper’ operations to an end, writes Kees van der Mark.
EXCLUSIVE: A Frecce Tricolori pilot recalls the Ramstein air show tragedy
On this day in 1988 the accident at the Ramstein air show involving the Italian aerobatic team, Frecce Tricolori, led to a significant loss of life and changed how air displays are flown. Team pilot Antonio Vivona, whose aircraft was damaged by debris, shares his memories of the accident with Eugenio Facci as well as the events which followed.
New helicopters for US nuclear security
The US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration recently took delivery of a pair of AW139 helicopters that will support the agency’s Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST).
US Coast Guard opens first new air station in 25 years
Although a formal commissioning ceremony scheduled for June 18 was postponed, the US Coast Guard has opened its newest air station in southern California, writes Tom Kaminski
Final ‘Marine One’ VH-92A presidential helicopter delivered
Presidential Helicopters Program Office (PMA-274) and the US Marine Corps accepted delivery of the final Sikorsky VH-92A Patriot presidential helicopter in a ceremony on August 14, 2024 in Owego, New York.
Combat Aircraft Journal October 2024
October 2024 issue of Combat Aircraft Journal in page-turning format explains how American airpower has once again proved pivotal to keeping peace in the Middle East and preventing the region from descending
into all-out war.
How Delta and United entered the jet age with the DC-8
Despite entering service almost a year after Boeing’s 707, the California-built Douglas DC-8 was a game-changer for the aviation industry and the two airlines that simultaneously put the type into service on September 18, 1959. Lee Cross documents Delta Air Lines’ and United Airlines’ entrance to the jet age
Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport reopened
On July 11, Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea had the honour of being the first airline to touch down at the newly reopened Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport in Southern Italy.
ANA announces three new European destinations
All Nippon Airways has announced a trio of new European routes from its Tokyo/Haneda hub.