Global Aviation Magazine - Previews

FEB152013

Back in Issue 15 of GAM, Gareth Stringer told the story of a series of flights he was lucky enough to experience in Newcastle Jet Provost Group’s T3A. This time he trades the JP in for something a tiny bit faster - Hunter Flight Academy’s Hunter T7A WV318 / G-FFOX.

FEB152013

GAM Previews: Princess Juliana International Airport, St Martin

The Caribbean island of St Martin is famous throughout the world as the location for some of the most striking aviation photos ever to grace the Internet. But what's it really like to shoot there? GAM regular Paul Dunn packed his suncream and headed to Maho Beach to find out.

FEB152013

GAM Previews: Magnificent Meiringen

Located in truly spectacular surroundings, Meiringen Air Base is home to the Swiss Air Force’s F-5E/F Tiger IIs of Fliegerstaffel 8 and the F/A-18C/D Hornets of Fliegerstaffel 11. January 2013 promised an intense period of flying, thanks in part to the World Economic Forum in Davos, and Frank Grealish simply could not resist the chance to return to one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

FEB152013

GAM Previews: March Field Air Museum

March Field Air Museum boasts one of the largest collections of preserved aircraft in California and is located on one of the oldest and most historic airfields in the US. Paul Dunn visited for GAM.

FEB152013

GAM Previews: Hiko Kyodotai - Japan’s Aggressor Squadron

The Hiko Kyodotai (Tactical Fighter Training Squadron) is the Japan Air Self Defence Force’s dedicated aggressor squadron and operates what most of would agree are some of the best looking F-15s in the world. Steve Comber reports from Nyutabaru Air Base.

FEB152013

GAM Previews: 70 Years of the Gloster Meteor

5 March 1943 was a historic date for the British aerospace industry. Some 70 years on, Karl Drage looks back at the development of Britain’s first operational jet fighter aircraft, the Gloster Meteor.

JAN182013

GAM Previews: XXV Meet of the Epiphany - Mondovi

Paul Dopson and Heaven Crawley travel to Italy to take part in their first Internazionale dell'Epifania - Città di Mondovì.

JAN182013

GAM Previews: Bad to the Bone

The B-1B Lancer (usually referred to as the Bone, a corruption of B-One) has been in service with the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1986. GAR’s Chris Wood recently visited Dyess AFB, located near the city of Abilene in Texas, to see how it is shaping up in the current conflict in Afghanistan and to find out about upgrades to its capability.

JAN182013

GAM Previews: MASDC 1969

Established at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, in 1946, the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG - as it is currently known) is now home to more than 4,400 aircraft. Some of them are destined to never leave, their reusable parts removed to help keep other aircraft in the skies. Others may go on to serve foreign air arms, and a lucky few will even return to active US service. That is the AMARG of 2013, but what was it like at the end of the ‘60s? Lindsay Peacock once again opens up his archive to show us.

JAN182013

GAM Previews: United States Air Force Airman Heritage Museum

The city of San Antonio in southern Texas is famous as the location of the Alamo, the scene of a famous 19th Century battle and symbol of Texan resistance. What is probably less well known is that it is also the home of the United States Air Force Airman Heritage Museum, which can be found inside the sprawling complex that is Lackland Air Force Base, on the western side of the city. Chris Wood recently paid a visit for GAM.

JAN182013

GAM Previews: Israel Marks 45 Years of A-4 'Ayit' Operations

Only four air arms currently operate the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, these being Argentina, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Israel Air Force. Of these, the latter operates the largest number with approximately 38 examples remaining airworthy. Bob Archer reports from Hatzerim as the Israel Air Force marks 45 years of 'Ayit' operations.

JAN182013

GAM Previews: FM-2 Wildcat Recovery - Lake Michigan

The bottom of Lake Michigan might not be the first place you would think to look for WWII vintage warbirds. However, it is a treasure trove if you know what you are doing. Recently, a Grumman Wildcat was recovered and Rob Edgcumbe met with the team responsible for bringing it back to find out how you go about saving an aircraft that sank 70 years ago.

JAN182013

GAM Previews: Boeing's 727 at 50

Fifty years ago, a new Boeing product took to the sky for the first time. It was the company's first and only trijet design and went on to be a huge commercial success, forming the backbone of US domestic air travel for many years and scoring significant sales overseas. Paul Dunn examines the history of the Boeing 727.

DEC212012

GAM Previews: 100 Years of Lockheed Martin

From Eugene Ely’s first tentative landing on a makeshift wooden deck on the fantail of the heavy cruiser USS Pennsylvania (Armored Cruiser #4) in a Curtiss pusher biplane on 18 January 1911 to the first vertical landing of the F-35B Lightning II on the asphalt deck of the USS Wasp (LHD-1) by Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk on 3 October 2011, Naval Aviation has made astounding technological leaps over its first century. This article, written by Jeff Rhodes, is reproduced with permission from Lockheed Martin’s Code One Magazine

DEC212012

GAM Previews: Jet Provost T3A From the Cockpit

2012 saw Gareth Stringer fulfil a lifelong dream and fly in a fast jet. It all started with the JP3 at RAF Cosford, thanks to Neil McCarthy, and here's the first part of a story that will be continued next month.

DEC212012

GAM Previews: Top o' the Sears

If you want to have a TV antenna serving a large area, putting it on top of the highest building for hundreds of miles makes a lot of sense. If you want to replace it though, your options are a bit limited. Rob Edgcumbe joined the team undertaking this task.

DEC212012

GAM Previews: Malaysian Airline System at 40

As described in the Singapore Airlines (SIA) article in Issue 12 of Global Aviation Magazine, Malaysian Airline System (MAS) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) were born in October 1972 as a result of the dissolution of Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). Doug Green concludes the 40th anniversary account with the story of Malaysia's national carrier.

DEC212012

GAM Previews: Ilyushin Il-62 at 50

2 January 2013 will mark 50 years since the Ilyushin Il-62 flew for the first time. A product of the Ilyushin OKB drawing boards in 1960, the Il-62, NATO code-name ‘Classic’, was built by the Kazan Aircraft Production Association (KAPO) as a successor to the turbo-prop powered Ilyushin Il-18. Karl Drage looks back at the aircraft’s development.

DEC212012

GAM Previews: British Airways & Heathrow Terminal 5

Ever since the British Airways Board was established in 1971, London’s Heathrow Airport has always been the carrier’s main hub. Following the 14 March 2008 opening of Terminal 5, almost all of the airline’s services are now operated from this state-of-the-art facility. Company Airbus A320 pilot Dheeraj Bhasin takes us on an after-hours tour of BA’s impressive operation.

DEC212012

GAM Previews: Exercise Pitch Black 2012

Once every two years, the blue skies of Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) become a hive of military aviation activity as Exercise Pitch Black takes place. Named for the dark moonless nights in Australia’s sparsely populated north when pilots flew the first exercise missions before night vision equipment was available, the exercise brings together Australian, American and various air forces from neighbouring Asian nations in an intense series of realistic combat scenarios over a period of (usually) three weeks. Mike Yeo, Base Leg Aviation News and Photography, reports for GAM.

NOV162012

GAM Previews: Hellenic Air Force A-7 Corsairs

The sight of the Northrop Grumman (Vought) A-7 Corsair II flying over the Greek countryside has been a common one for almost four decades, but, as has now been confirmed, 2013 will see the aircraft retired. Kevin Jackson reports from Araxos Air Base on the job the ‘SLUFF’ is still performing.

NOV162012

GAM Previews: Republic's F-105 Thunderchief

Gareth Stringer looks back at the life and times of the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, including memories from one Royal Air Force pilot who flew the mighty ‘Thud’, and the aircraft’s distinguished performances in the skies over Vietnam.

NOV162012

GAM Previews: Kenmore Air

Seattle seaplane airline Kenmore Air has carved out a niche for itself as an important part of the city's transport network, whilst priding itself on great customer service and a warm, familial atmosphere. Paul Dunn profiles this popular operator.

NOV162012

GAM Previews: Handley Page Victor at 60

The last of the V-bomber trilogy, the Handley Page Victor saw service with the Royal Air Force in more than one role. Gareth Stringer talks to several members of the Victor community, including a very close family member, about their memories and experiences of the aircraft.

NOV162012

GAM Previews: Exercise Perspective 2012

Held between 17 and 29 September, Exercise Perspective 2012 brought together the Ukrainian military’s might in a series of scenarios designed to train, test and fulfil live firing currency requirements of both ground-based and airborne tactical platforms. Steve Comber reports from Belbek near Sevastapol, from where a number of MiG-29s and Su-27s operated.

NOV162012

GAM Previews: Central Air Force Museum Monino

One of the world’s largest aviation museums, the Central Air Force Museum in Monino is home to an amazing array of some 173 aircraft, almost all of which are of a Russian origin. Following on from his report on the Russian Air Force’s 100th Anniversary Airshow, Steve Coe takes us on a guided tour of the Monino collection.

NOV162012

GAM Previews: Air-to-Air Academy

Have you ever wanted to fly on an air-to-air photo mission with another aircraft but never had the opportunity? The Air-to-Air Academy, organised by Eric Coeckelberghs and his Aviation PhotoCrew, might be exactly what you’re looking for. Frank Grealish reports from the 2012 Photo Flying Days.

OCT192012

GAM Previews: The Iron Lady - '558 Bounces Back to Complete Jubilee Season

Gareth Stringer talks exclusively to Vulcan display pilot Bill Ramsey, as XH558 recovers from early season difficulties to complete 2012 in style with a ‘Jubilee Tour’ of the UK. Includes stunning air-to-air imagery from Frank Grealish.

OCT192012

GAM Previews: The Buccaneer Aviation Group (TBAG)

It’s been out of RAF service for almost 20 years but, as Gareth Stringer found out, opportunities to see and feel the power of the Blackburn Buccaneer in the UK are still very much available.

OCT192012

GAM Previews: Russia Revisited

In last month’s GAM Steve Coe guided you through proceedings of the Russian Air Force 100th Anniversary Airshow and Parade, held at Zhukovsky on the outskirts of Moscow. Frank Grealish / irishairpics.com was one of a small number of foreign journalists granted access to a number of the airfields hosting participating aircraft as preparations for the show geared up. This is his predominantly pictorial tale of five days in Russia.

OCT192012

GAM Previews: 2012 Reno National Championship Air Races & Air Show

The National Air Races have been held at Reno since 1964. This year was the first after the crash that killed 10 spectators and one participant so how the event would change this year and whether the racing would be significantly affected was a question on the mind of many. Rob Edgcumbe travelled to Reno for GAR to see.

OCT192012

GAM Previews: Bill Charney and 'The Red Rockette'

Bill Charney is a man with a life-long love for one particular aircraft type: the Beech Staggerwing. Some 50 years after first setting eyes on this pretty little biplane, he was finally in the position to purchase his own. This is the story of his association with ‘The Red Rockette’ and the journey the pair is still embarking upon together.

OCT192012

GAM Previews: Air Zermatt

There can be few more challenging environments in which to operate and fly than the Alps. Huw Hopkins profiles a helicopter company that has been successfully carrying out all manner of unusual operations whilst doing just that for almost 45 years - Air Zermatt.

OCT192012

GAM Previews: The Airbus A330 at 20

The Airbus A330 is a common sight at airports throught the world, and 2 November 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the first flight of this popular wide-bodied aircraft. Paul Dunn takes a look at the history of this graceful machine.

SEP212012

GAM Previews: South African Air Force Museum Ysterplaat

The South African Air Force Museum has a large collection of aircraft spilt between several sites throughout the country. Paul Dunn visits the museum at AFB Ysterplaat, in the suburbs of Cape Town.

SEP212012

GAM Previews: Singapore Airlines at 40

40 years ago, on 1 October 1972, the airline then known as Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) was split in two, with one element becoming Singapore Airlines (SIA). The division prompted a rapid expansion that in December 2010 saw SIA credited with being the second largest airline in the world when measured in terms of market capitalisation.

SEP212012

GAM Previews: Russian Air Force 100th Anniversary Airshow

2012 sees the Russian Air Force celebrate its 100th anniversary. To commemorate this momentous occasion in the organisation’s history, an international airshow was held at the famous Zhukovsky Airfield on the outskirts of Moscow. Steve Coe provides a very rounded story of his visit to the show; essential reading for anybody considering visiting Russia!

SEP212012

GAM Previews: Swiss F/A-18 Hornet from the Cockpit

The F/A-18 Hornet is a multirole fighter aircraft currently operated by eight nations around the globe. Gareth Stringer sat down with the current Swiss Air Force Display Pilot, Captain Ralph ‘Deasy’ Knittel, to get the low-down on displaying the aircraft.

SEP212012

GAM Previews: B-29 Superfortress - 'Fifi'

There is only one Boeing B-29 Superfortress that is still airworthy and it travels across the United States providing opportunities for people to experience an icon of the Second World War. GAM caught up with “Fifi” while she was on tour, and Rob Edgcumbe reports on what it takes to keep this unique aircraft flying. Images as credited.

SEP212012

GAM Previews: The Airbus A300 at 40

28 October 2012 is the 40th anniversary of the first flight of the Airbus A300. Chris Wood takes a look at the aircraft that spawned a whole new family of commercial aircraft and challenged the American dominance of the world’s airliner market.

SEP212012

GAM Previews: AgustaWestland AW101 Merlin at 25

Gareth Stringer looks back at the history, development and operational usage of the AgustaWestland AW101, with help from Richard Luck, retired Royal Air Force Wing Commander and a hugely experienced rotary wing pilot.

AUG172012

GAM Previews: WACO Reunion 2012

Vintage biplanes are always interesting to see. Get a whole bunch of them together in a small grass airstrip on a sunny summer’s weekend and things are considerably better. The WACO Reunion is one such event. Global Aviation Magazine went along to see what it was all about.

AUG172012

GAM Previews: AirVenture 2012 - Oshkosh

Once a year a huge gathering of aviation enthusiasts of all types converge on Wisconsin. The official name of the event is AirVenture but, to most people, it is known simply as Oshkosh. Rob Edgcumbe and Mike Shreeve attended for Global Aviation Magazine.

AUG172012

GAM Previews: Lockheed's T-33 Shooting Star

Lindsay Peacock's photo archive is a gift that keeps on giving, and this time around he looks back at Lockheed's first jet aircraft - the unmistakable T-33 Shooting Star - a type which, despite first flying some 64 years ago, can still be found earning its keep in very small numbers to this day.

AUG172012

GAM Previews: Israeli Air Force Museum - Hatzerim

Hatzerim Air Base not only plays a hugely significant role within the Israeli Air Force of today but also has the responsibility for remembering and preserving the Israeli Air Force of yesterday.

AUG172012

GAM Previews: F-15 Eagle at 40

40 years after the F-15 Eagle’s first flight, Glenn Beasley examines the ever-evolving life of the aircraft to date and plans for the next iteration.

AUG172012

GAM Previews: Aviation Profiles - Frédéric Akary

In the latest of GAM’s Aviation Profiles series, Elliott Marsh talks motivations, aerobatics and all things Hawker Fury with Frédéric Akary, the former French National Aerobatic Team member whose displays in Sir Sydney Camm’s piston powerhouse have been a highlight of airshows across Europe for the last five years.

AUG172012

GAM Previews: Air Force Reserve Command - AFRC

The Air Force Reserve Command supplies people and equipment to support the USAF on operations worldwide, whilst at the same time maintaining a strategic reserve force that can be called upon in times of national emergency. Paul Dunn visits the 79th Air Refueling Squadron at Travis AFB, California, to learn more about the organisation and role of the reserve forces.

AUG152012

Aviation News >> Global Aviation Magazine - FREE Preview Issue

We're delighted to announce some important changes to Global Aviation Magazine, including the availability of a FREE preview issue, and our social network, The Hangar.

JUL202012

GAM Previews: Västerås Flygmuseum

Frank Grealish’s passion for air-to-air photography continues to grow, so when he was invited to Sweden to photograph a significant number of the aircraft resident at the Västerås Flygmuseum, it was an opportunity he simply had to take up. It’s not hard to see why this is Frank’s ‘thing’!

JUL202012

GAM Previews: Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2012 - Review

Shaun Schofield reports from Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2012, a show that produced countless highlights.

JUL202012

GAM Previews: Fairchild Republic's A-10 Thunderbolt II at 40

Forty years ago, the prototype of the A-10 made its first flight. Despite several attempts to get rid of it, the A-10 still provides an unbeatable capability, and GAM traveled to Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ, to see how new pilots are trained on the aircraft and the operations of a front line squadron. Rob Edgcumbe reports.

JUL202012

GAM Previews: Exercise Anatolian Eagle 12/2

With some of the most sophisticated facilities in the world, the beautiful Konya Air Base in Turkey is home to the Anatolian Eagle Training Center, from where a series of exercises is flown each year with the specific aim of providing realistic training for Turkey’s armed forces. The second of such exercises in 2012 also included significant foreign involvement as Kev Daws reports for Global Aviation Magazine.

JUL202012

GAM Previews: Cape Town International Airport

Cape Town International Airport is one of the leading airports in Africa, with ambitions to expand and grow further. Paul Dunn travels to South Africa to visit the recently upgraded airport terminal and meet the airport's General Manager, Deon Cloete.

JUL202012

GAM Previews: Drag-'Em-Oot

Early June is synonymous with D-Day in Western Europe. As has now become the tradition, several Allied Nations from World War 2 commemorate the events of 6 June 1944 through a whole range of activites, with the primary purpose of acknowledging the phenomenally brave actions of those that took part. When I was invited to fly alongside Douglas C-47A Skytrain “Drag-‘Em-Oot” – herself a D-Day veteran - as she made her way to Lee-on-Solent at the start of her own now regular involvement in proceedings, it was an opportunity that was simply too good to miss.

JUL202012

GAM Previews: Army Air Corps on Display in 2012

This year sees the Army Air Corps (AAC) sharing its public display duties between two teams – with both the Apache and Lynx appearing at events across the United Kingdom. Gareth Stringer met both teams and spoke to the man who pulls the whole thing together. Images as credited.

JUN152012

GAM Previews: Issue 9 - July 2012