Forty Years On: Celebrating the Lynx World Speed Record
This week marked the 40th anniversary of one of the most extraordinary achievements in British rotorcraft history. On 11 August 1986, the Westland WG.13 Lynx 800, registered G‑LYNX, set the …
Where Innovation Takes Flight: The South West at Farnborough 2026
Farnborough International 2026 was more than a global stage for aerospace powerhouses — it was a moment of validation for the South West’s quietly formidable aviation ecosystem. From Bristol to …
Where Minutes Matter: The Story of Krystof 12 at Jihlava
Krystof 12 is the HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) base serving the Vysočina Region from its strategically positioned home at Jihlava, forming a vital part of Czechia’s nationwide emergency air‑rescue …
Aer Lingus at 90: The Irish Flag Carrier Whose First Destination Was Bristol
Aer Lingus’ 90th anniversary is not only a celebration of Irish aviation history but also a tribute to the airline’s earliest international connection: Bristol, United Kingdom. On 27 May 1936, …
From Hinds to H‑1s: Náměšť Air Base at 70
This year, Náměšť Air Base celebrates its 70th anniversary—a milestone that mirrors the evolution of Czech military aviation itself. Over seven decades, the base has transformed from a Cold War …
Policing from the Air. The Czech Way
When most people think of police helicopters in the UK, they picture high-speed motorway pursuits and airborne support for traffic policing. In Czechia, however, the reality is markedly different. Based …
Enabling the Operation: RAF Fairford’s Role in the Bella 1 Seizure
Enabling the Operation: RAF Fairford’s Role in the Bella 1 Seizure The Bella 1—later reflagged and renamed Marinera—became the centrepiece of one of the most dramatic maritime pursuits in recent years, a …
NPAS Breaks New Ground with Beyond‑Line‑of‑Sight UAV Trial
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has taken a significant step toward the future of UK airborne policing with the launch of its first Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) …
A Gateway to Aviation History: Volandia Parco e Museo del Volo
Volandia Parco e Museo del Volo is one of Europe’s largest aviation museum, located beside Milan Malpensa Airport, offering a unique blend of history, technology, and family-friendly experiences. Volandia, situated …
A Legacy Written in Rescue: The Sikorsky S‑92 and the Irish Coast Guard
For the past 13 years Ireland’s Search and Rescue cover has been provided by a small fleet of five Sikorsky S-92As provided by CHC Ireland from four bases at Dublin, Waterford, …
Jet-Set Genius: A History of Dyson’s aviation assets
James Dyson, investor, engineer, philanthropist, farmer, has called the south west home for many years. living in Dodington Park near Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire with his Company Headquarters located in …
Hungarian Helicopters
As part of the National Defense and Military Development Program, Hungary and the Hungarian Air Force has invested in strengthening, as well as modernizing, its capabilities, including the introduction of …
Blue Islands: A Regional Airline’s Journey from Cargo Flights to Channel Islands Lifeline
Blue Islands: A Regional Airline’s Journey from Cargo Flights to Channel Islands Lifeline From humble beginnings as a cargo operator to becoming a vital regional connector in the Channel Islands, …
Wings of Legacy: The Aviation Artifacts of the Národní Technické Muzeum
Nestled in Prague’s Holešovice district, the Národní Technické Muzeum (National Technical Museum) stands as a monument to Czech innovation, engineering, and industrial heritage. Among its many treasures, the aviation collection …
Wings Over The Mediterranean
With its proximity to both Northern Africa and the Middle East along with being a frontier into Europe the Mediterranean islands of Malta has huge strategic importance. With this in …
Strategic Reach: The September 2025 Bomber Task Force at RAF Fairford
In September 2025, the quiet Gloucestershire countryside once again echoed with the thunder of strategic airpower as the U.S. Air Force’s 307th Bomb Wing deployed two B-52H Stratofortress bombers to …
Thirty Years On: Honoring Captain David Hawkens and the U-2 Crash at RAF Fairford
RAF Fairford, August 29, 1995 In the quiet morning hours, a Lockheed U-2R reconnaissance aircraft lifted off from the Gloucestershire airbase under the call sign Mooch 31. Its mission: a …
VP JD at FFD
When it was announced that Vice President of the United States of America James David Vance and his family would be holidaying in the Cotswolds that RAF Fairford would see …
SARMeet 2025
The Galileo Search And Rescue meeting has become a firm favorite from military Search and Rescue helicopters units for many years now. This year being hosted by 243rd Helicopter Squadron, …
80 Years Aloft: Celebrating the Pitts Special
The Pitts Special has been a regular attendee at airshows throughout the south west for many years, from The Royal Jordanian Falcons or Los Halcones at International Air Tattoos …