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China’s ‘Sharp Sword’ UCAV is Spotted Taxiing

China’s first jet-powered stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), the Lijian or “Sharp Sword,” was recently spotted undergoing taxiing tests in that country. Analysts interpreted the sighting as indicating that the Lijian’s maiden flight is imminent. The Lijian prototype rolled off the assembly line late last year after three years’ joint development by Hongdu Aviation Industry […]

A Front-Row Seat to Aviation History: the X-47B

Any news photographer that has been in the business for a decent length of time may say to you that he or she has “seen it all and done it all” or that “there is nothing new that hasn’t been shot already.” Until this week, you could also paint me with that same brush. But […]

Historic Key West Flight to Cuba Recognized

The fuel was running perilously low, and the lubricating oil was nearly exhausted, but pioneering pilot Domingo Rosillo del Toro could see land ahead. While three guns were fired from the Havana, Cuba, fortress to announce his arrival, Rosillo coaxed his one-seat, bright yellow plane with an overheating engine past a flotilla of boats, over […]

On This Day in Aviation History

1893 – Birth of Acheson Gosford Goulding, Canadian World War I flying ace and World War II instructor. 1919 – Three U.S. Navy Curtiss NCs, commanded by Albert Cushing Read, leaves Trepassey, Newfoundland, Canada, for Portugal via the Azores on the first transatlantic flight, the longest leg of their journey. Only NC-4 (shown above) eventually […]

Indian Navy Receives First P-8I

India’s navy said it inducted the first of eight P-8I maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft it had ordered from Boeing this week. The twin-engined jet is based on Boeing’s popular 737NG airliner. India, the world’s top defense-equipment importer, had ordered the planes in January 2009 for about $2.1 billion. The order is among several defense contracts […]

The Lancaster Bomber: That Magnificent Flying Machine

The Dambusters raid, which took place on this day in 1943, could never have happened without the mighty four-engined Avro Lancaster, undoubtedly the greatest heavy bomber of World War II. The daring mission of the Royal Air Force 617 Squadron required a plane that was capable of both precision low flying in the face of […]

Students Aim for History with Human-Powered Helicopter

Students at the University of Maryland want to make aviation history by building the world’s first human-powered helicopter. In 1980, the American Helicopter Society announced an award for the first person to accomplish such a feat. The $250,000 Sikorsky Prize would go to a vehicle that could hover for 60 seconds, not stray beyond a […]

Warbird Group to Offer Glimpse of World War II-era Trainer

A World War II-era plane that once searched for enemy submarines is flying again. Royal Navy 605, a Stinson AT-19 derivative of the company’s Reliant monoplane, is based at Moore County Airport near Southern Pines, N.C., and is flown by the Carolinas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. The gullwing airplane originally was built in […]

On This Day in Aviation History

1896 – Birth of Carleton Main Clement, Canadian World War I fighter ace. 1928 – Rev. John Flynn founds the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia at Cloncurry, Queensland, using a de Havilland DH.50. The service takes medical services to remote parts of the Australian bush. 1938 – First flight of the first production Supermarine […]

USAF Launches Final A-10 Sortie in Europe

The final A-10 Thunderbolt II tactical sortie in Europe was launched by the U.S. Air Force from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany on Tuesday. The airframe belongs to the 52nd Fighter Wing’s 81st Fighter Squadron, which inactivates in June. “I’m proud to be a part of the last sortie,” said Lt. Col. Jeff Hogan, the […]