Is it an Airbus? A Kawasaki? Well, it Used to be a Messerschmitt...

Another fun reminder that Japanese brands license-build some well-known aircraft came across the presswire recently, showing a Kawasaki BK117 - or, as we’re more familiar with it, the H145 - to the Japanese National Police. The official notice mentions them as a pair of “H145//BK117 D-3 helicopters”, produced jointly with Airbus Helicopters. The BK117 is a medium, twin-engine helo aimed at the usual roster of rotary-wing missions in the civilian world. Air med, survey, patrol, transport, firefighting, all the classics are on the table with the right collection of aftermarket equipment. The Japanese National Police Agency said they would put their new aircraf

Allegiant Air Pilots Displeased with Airline’s Negotiations

Allegiant Air pilots are disgruntled with the plodding pace of negotiations, and have now asked for release from mediation in a possible prelude to a strike. Back in November, Allegiant pilots voted to authorize a strike to the tune of 97%, highlighting their displeasure with the multi-year negotiation process. Central to the debate is the carrier’s proposal to allow 20% of its pilot base to act as “surplus”, while they push the other 80% to fly a full schedule. Allegiant pilots aren’t happy about that by any means, citing concerns about pilot fatigue, operational reliability, and quality of life. If the request to release from mediation is granted, the

Grumman Fighters To Fly In Daily Air Shows, Displayed On Boeing Plaza

The Air Legends Foundation announced it will bring to EAA’s AirVenture 2025 in Oshkosh four of the most famous fighter aircraft of the period extending from World War II to Korea: its ‘Cat’ series of single-engine piston fighters, with the lone twin-engine in the group being the F7F Tigercat.

MRO Network Continues to Expand Above and Beyond Previous Plans

GE Aerospace and CFM International will keep grinding away on their growing network of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul facilities around the globe, as highlighted in a report to investors and clients. “When the CFM LEAP engine entered service in 2016, its maker, CFM International, a 50-50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, had a hunch it might be popular. But maybe not this popular,” a GE release reads. “Case in point: Over the past few years, airlines that have selected Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft have opted for CFM LEAP engines about 70% of the time. And that’s just a portion of the engine program’s remarkable

April 21st Kicks Off Revised Schedule

Van’s Aircraft announced a small shift in their customer support this month, adding additional hours to their phone availability from April 21st onward. Most notable is the change in their direct builder support line. Builders may call in from 10:00 to 11:00 am every morning, and 15:00 to 16:00 in the afternoons - all in PDT or PST as Van’s runs off Pacific Time. Prior hours for builder support were a little limiting for some customers, only open from 08:00 to 09:30 and 15:00 to 16:00 PST. Van’s previously warned that “we often take a large volume of support calls and want to help as many people as we can while keeping them on hold for the shortest time possible.” 

Event Intended To Spark Interest In Younger Students At Samoa Field

The Cal Poly Humboldt’s student-run Aviation Club is the foundation of the school’s efforts to spark and support the interest of young students to come into the aviation industry. One of the ways it introduces students to aviation is through its state-of-the-art GTX MAX Cessna Advanced Aviation Training Device, or AATD, situated in the library of the campus.

Everybody Needs Liquidity

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group closed a deal for $75 million in credit to Sun Country Airlines, keeping operations going with liquidity for “general corporate purposes.” The deal may be secured by some of Sun Country’s assets, like aircraft, engines, parts, inventory, receivables, and whatever cash the air line has on hand already. The news was met with relief at Sun Country, according to CEO Dave Davis. Mitsubishi UFJ acted as the Sole Structuring Agent and a Joint Lead Arranger in the recent deal, taking on a $37.5-million commitment. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation tagged in as the other Joint Lead Arranger, providing another $37.5 million commitment.

Airplane Had Recently Been Reassembled And Had A Newly Overhauled Engine

On March 27, 2025, at about 1240 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Luscombe 8A, N28790, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near New Port Richey, Florida. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the owner/operator, the airplane had recently been reassembled and had a newly overhauled engine installed about one and a half months prior to the accident flight. Prior to the accident flight, the pilot had flown the airplane on two previous test flights without any mechanical anomalies.

Aero Linx: The People's Mosquito Ltd

The De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito enjoys legendary status. This exemplar of British aeronautical design genius is moulded around its graceful lines, its unmatched performance and unrivalled versatility. Unquestionably, the De Havilland Mosquito’s story deserves to be told. Working with world-renowned aircraft restoration company Retrotec Ltd, we are writing the Mosquito’s next chapter. Thanks to worldwide public support, we are moving forward with the fuselage production of the iconic ‘Mossie’.

Terminal Radar Service Area Airspace surrounding designated airports wherein ATC provides radar vectoring, sequencing, and separation on a full-time basis for all IFR and participating VFR aircraft. The AIM contains an explanation of TRSA. TRSAs are depicted on VFR aeronautical charts. Pilot participation is urged but is not mandatory.

"That, to me, is the real exciting part that you know that this airplane somehow had a history with a family or a person. That's kind of the cool stuff... If you find the right switches, you can fly this airplane. Because they all fly the same." Source: Stephen Rose, one of Ready 4 Duty's pilots, commenting on the Commemorative Air Force’s restored C-47 Skytrain “Ready 4 Duty” arriving at Maxwell Air Force Base (KMXF) in Montgomery, Alabama, on April 17 for the first stop in its Navy to Victory tour recognizing the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The tour will cover 12,000  miles as it makes 30 stops in 7 countries in the U.S and Europe, returning to its home in Lancaster, Texas on July 4.