BlogGAR – Karl Drage – London-Heathrow Airport – 16/02/2014
A free Sunday, an excellent forecast (and there haven’t been too many of them this winter!) and a good friend going flying all combined to prompt a visit to London’s Heathrow Airport.
Global Aviation Magazine – Issue 22: February / March 2014
Issue 22 of Global Aviation Magazine has arrived and is FREE to access and download.
D-Day 70 – Pt.2 – RAF Museum Hawker Typhoon loaned to the Canada Aviation & Space Museum
70 years on from the Normandy landings on D-Day, the RAF Museum Hendon’s Hawker Typhoon Mk. IB has been loaned to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, as a tribute to the Royal Canadian Air Force pilots who flew the aircraft during Operation OVERLORD.
Aviation News – The Honourable Company of Air Pilots
In one of the most significant changes in its 85-year history, the former Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators has unveiled a new name, reflecting the notable honour bestowed upon it by Her Majesty the Queen. The leading independent organisation promoting the highest levels of safety, training and best practices for pilots around the world will in future be known as ‘The Honourable Company of Air Pilots’.
Aviation Exclusive – Sea Vixen XP924/G-CVIX’s owner speaks
After an untimely mishap in 2012, the future for DS Aviation (Military) UK Ltd’s de Havilland Sea Vixen, XP924/G-CVIX, looked rather uncertain. In an exclusive interview, Tom Mercer spoke to the aircraft’s owner, Julian Jones, to discover the current situation and the latest plans for moving forward.
Airshow News – Biggin Hill Festival of Flight
The world-famous RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, will be making a very special return to Biggin Hill Airport on Saturday 14th June to mark the anniversary of their 50th display season.
BlogGAR – Karl Drage – 10th Al Ain Aerobatic Show – The Remainder
In my concluding 10th Al Ain Aerobatic Show blog, I’ll take a look at the remaining participants that are still to appear.
Airshow Exclusive – 2014 RAF Tucano Display Scheme
Global Aviation Resource reveals the paint scheme that will adorn the Royal Air Force’s 2014 Tucano display aircraft.
BlogGAR – Steve Comber – Operation Daedalus 2014 – Sion Air Base
Operation Daedalus 2014 once again combined both Swiss & Austrian Air Force assets to secure airspace for this year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos in the Swiss Alps from 22 to 25 January. Steve Comber reports from Sion Air Base, home to the Swiss Air Force contingent for the duration.
Aviation Feature – Colombia Pt.6 – Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, Medellin
Paul Filmer continues his Colombia series with a visit to Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, Medellin.
Airshow News – RAF Cosford Airshow Tickets Selling Fast
Tickets for this year’s RAF Cosford Air Show have only been on sale for a few days but are already selling fast.
BlogGAR – Karl Drage – Royal Jordanian Falcons at Al Ain 2013
Returning to Al Ain for the 10th Aerobatic Show after a break of almost five years were the four Extra 300Ls of the Royal Jordanian Falcons.
Aviation Video – Cameras in the Cockpit
Camera technology these days means that we can put ourselves in almost any cockpit. There are some superb videos out there, and here are a few of our favourites.
BlogGAR – Paul Filmer – Finnish Air Force Hawks at The Bwlch
Having only scored a big zero low-level in Wales with Karl Drage on his only trip in the past, a couple of free days after a visit to Russia gave Paul Filmer the chance to catch the Finnish Air Force at RAF Valley with a deployment of Hawks.
BlogGAR – Karl Drage – The Red Arrows at Al Ain 2013
2014 is the Red Arrows’ 50th display season, and, while no official tour will take place during it, the curtain came down on the team’s 2013 season in the Middle East, culminating with appearances at the 10th Al Ain Aerobatic Show and in Dubai for the 42nd National Day celebrations.
Aviation News – RAF Mildenhall’s last MC-130P Combat Shadow departs
Monday 3 February 2014 was the date of a sombre occasion for the crews of the MC-130P Combat Shadow at the 67th Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall. Kieran Lear made the short journey to RAF Mildenhall to speak to the Combat Shadow’s crew and photograph the aircraft on UK soil for the last time.
Aviation Feature – Colombia Pt.5 – Feria Aeronautica International 2013, Medellin
Paul Filmer continues the story of his visit to Colombia, this time from Feria Aeronautica International 2013, Medellin
BlogGAR – Karl Drage – UAEAF & AD Lockheed Martin F-16E Desert Falcon at Al Ain
In the next instalment of my look back at the 10th Al Ain Aerobatic Show, my attentions are turned to Captain Khalid Al Jabri and the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence (UAEAF & AD) Lockheed Martin F-16E Desert Falcon.
BlogGAR – Karl Drage – The Matadors at Al Ain 2013
My look back at the 10th Al Ain Aerobatic Show continues here with Paul Bonhomme and Steve Jones, aka The Matadors.
Airshow Review – Bahrain International Airshow 2014
Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2014 was held at Sakhir Air Base, around 35 minutes’ drive from central Manama, between 16 and 18 January. Karl Drage was present, acting as Crew Chief for the Huawei Twister Duo.
BlogGAR – Gordon Jones – Mildenhall 2013
Gordon Jones brings us another BlogGAR from RAF Mildenhall, where he reflects on his last few visits including catching his final RC-135U Combat Sent.
BlogGAR – Karl Drage – Saudi Hawks at Al Ain 2013
The Saudi Hawks are no strangers to the Al Ain Aerobatic Show having performed at the event countless times before, and the organisers were very keen to welcome their neighbours back once more.
Aviation Feature – Lockheed P-38 Lightning 75th anniversary
27 January 1939 saw the maiden flight of Lockheed’s latest design, the Lightning. Despite being overshadowed throughout World War Two by the likes of the Spitfire and Mustang, the Lightning would prove to be a crucial element in the Allies’ success in the European, Mediterranean and Asia-Pacific theatres. Whilst widely overlooked when assessing the key aircraft which won the war for the Allies, the P-38 was certainly a machine that had the credentials to garner such an accolade. Kieran Lear reports on the P-38 Lightning’s 75th anniversary for GAR.
Aviation News – 67th SOS MC-130P Combat Shadow final training sortie
Friday 24 January marked the end of another era at RAF Mildenhall, England, as the 67th Special Operations Squadron’s sole remaining Lockheed Martin MC-130P Combat Shadow flew its final training mission from the UK. Kieran Lear reports on the retirement of a real American workhorse.
BlogGAR – Karl Drage – Breitling Wingwalkers at Al Ain 2013
British participation at the 10th Al Ain Aerobatic Show was particularly strong with no less than six regular UK airshow acts on the billing. One team that is always hugely popular wherever it goes is the Breitling Wingwalkers.
Aviation Feature – Colombia Pt.4 – Selva An-26 Flight from Villavicencio
In the next part of his Colombian aviation series, Paul Filmer returns to Villavicencio to fly aboard a Selva Antonov An-26 for the first time.
BlogGAR – Karl Drage – Miss Demeanour’s Final Al Ain Aerobatic Show?
Adding further colour to the skies at the 10th Al Ain Aerobatic Show was Jonathon “Flapjack” Whaley in his iconic Hawker Hunter F58 G-PSST, better known as “Miss Demeanour”.
Airshow News – New pilot for SOLOTÜRK F-16 display
Demo Pilot Captain S.Yalın AHBAB, the pilot who was behind last year’s spectacular display by the SOLOTÜRK F – 16C Fighting Falcon has retired from the Turkish Air Force.
BlogGAR – Karl Drage – South Africa’s Goodyear Eagles at Al Ain 2013
The 10th Al Ain Aerobatic Show did not just feature military participants. Amongst a number of civilian aerobatic teams that also took part was one that I’d never seen before: South Africa’s Goodyear Eagles, a team that has been in existence for 29 years.
Aviation News – Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar’s D-Day Commemoration Plans
Exactly 70 years on from D-Day, the Allied invasion of occupied Europe, two of Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar’s Spitfire Mk.IXs will be overflying the Normandy beaches to commemorate this most important of anniversaries. Robin J Brooks profiles the June 2014 plans for GAR.