
African Pilot Magazine:
Aircraft

Robinson Helicopter Company Appoints Glenn W. E. Ford as COO to Accelerate Manufacturing Expansion
Robinson Helicopter Company appoints veteran aviation executive Glenn W. E. Ford as Chief Operations Officer to drive manufacturing efficiency, logistics optimisation, and production expansion for new helicopter models.

Airbus Highlights Path to Growth and Decarbonisation at Aviation Africa Summit
Airbus outlines customer support expansion, supply chain recovery, and its plan for decarbonisation and growth across Africa at Aviation Africa 2025.

CubCrafters XCub and NXCub Aircraft Available in Amateur Kit Form
CubCrafters launches XCub and NXCub E-AB kits, giving builders industry-leading performance, rugged backcountry capability, and full builder support.

The Piper Seminole DX Powered by DeltaHawk
The Piper Seminole DX is a next-generation diesel-powered PA-44 featuring DeltaHawk’s DHK4A180 engine, delivering 40% better fuel efficiency and lower costs.

International: Do228 Fleet Maintenance Contract Signed Between Bangladesh Navy and Do228 OEM General Atomics AeroTec Systems
Bangladesh Navy and GA-ATS sign a new contract for heavy maintenance, pilot training, and radar upgrades for two Do228 special mission aircraft.

Safran Aero Boosters and BMT Aerospace to Manufacture Key Components for Pratt & Whitney’s F135 Engine Powering the F-35 Lightning II Aircraft
Safran Aero Boosters and BMT Aerospace to produce key F135 engine components for Pratt & Whitney’s F-35 aircraft, strengthening Belgium’s aerospace industry.

AEGEAN Airlines Expands Fleet with New ATR 72-600, Two More on Order
AEGEAN Airlines, through Olympic Air, has added a new ATR 72-600 to its fleet and ordered two more for delivery in December 2026, reinforcing its regional fleet modernisation and sustainability strategy.

Avidyne Announces Certification of Vantage 12 for Cirrus
Avidyne secures FAA certification for its Vantage 12 Flight Display System, offering a cost-effective upgrade for more than 4,000 Cirrus SR20/22 aircraft.

RTX’s Pratt & Whitney and PBS Group to Develop Next-Generation Auxiliary Power Unit
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, and PBS Group will co-develop a next-generation auxiliary power unit (APU) for commercial and military aircraft, enhancing power density and efficiency.

NCAA Grants RPAS Operations Certificate to Caverton Helicopters
The NCAA has awarded Caverton Helicopters an RPAS Operations Certificate following a rigorous certification process at its Abuja headquarters.
SalamAir Continues Expansion with 15th Aircraft “Barr Al Hikman”
SalamAir welcomes its 15th Airbus A321neo “Barr Al Hikman”, boosting Oman’s aviation growth and Vision 2040 goals with new routes and expansion plans.

GAMA Releases Second Quarter 2025 Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reports increased aircraft shipments and higher delivery values for the first half of 2025, driven by growth in the business jet and piston airplane sectors.

Pilatus Hands Over the First PC-12 PRO
Pilatus hands over the first PC-12 PRO, featuring the Garmin G3000 Prime cockpit, Safety Autoland, and PT6 engine. The aircraft sets new standards in safety and innovation.

First Airbus A330 MRTT for the Spanish Air and Space Force Enters Into Service
The Spanish Air and Space Force has inducted its first Airbus A330 MRTT into service. The aircraft offers enhanced refuelling, transport, and MEDEVAC capabilities, strengthening Spain’s aerial operations and strategic autonomy.

Bucher to Supply Galley Solutions for Ethiopian Airlines’ Next-Generation Boeing 777-9 Fleet
Ethiopian Airlines has partnered with Bucher to supply advanced galley systems for its new Boeing 777-9 fleet. Announced at AIX Hamburg, the collaboration focuses on enhancing cabin functionality and passenger comfort through innovative interior solutions.

INTEGRAL E Continues Its Test Campaign and Performs Its First Inverted Flight, a Major Step in the Certification Process of the First All-Electric Aerobatic Aircraft
AURA AERO’s INTEGRAL E, the world’s first all-electric aerobatic aircraft, has completed its first inverted flight. This major certification milestone confirms its reliability and advances the decarbonisation of light aviation with an expected service entry in 2026.

Gulfstream G800 Earns FAA and EASA Certifications
Gulfstream’s G800 has received FAA and EASA certification, confirming its status as the world’s longest-range business jet. The aircraft features enhanced speed, range, and fuel efficiency, plus industry-leading cabin comfort and design innovations.

BOC Aviation Orders 70 A320neo Family Aircraft
BOC Aviation has placed a firm order for 70 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, marking its largest-ever order backlog with Airbus and reinforcing demand for fuel-efficient, next-generation single-aisle jets.

Airbus Showcases Hydrogen Aircraft Technologies During Its 2025 Airbus Summit
Airbus highlights its progress in hydrogen-powered aircraft at the 2025 Airbus Summit, presenting updated plans for a next-generation single-aisle aircraft and showcasing key technologies from its revised ZEROe project.

Continental Aerospace Technologies™ Announces Jet-A Piston Engines Reach 12 Million Flight Hours
Continental Aerospace Technologies™ celebrates over 12 million flight hours for its Jet-A piston engines, highlighting exceptional performance, reliability, and efficiency with the latest CD-170 engine and advanced FADEC system.

Cessna Caravan Celebrates 40 Years of Adventures as One of the Most Versatile Aircraft in the Industry
Textron Aviation has announced that the company is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Cessna Caravan single-engine utility turboprop with customers throughout the year, recognising its growth and popularity throughout the world during the past four decades. The Cessna Caravan is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company. “Customers continue…

Air Methods Expands Its Fleet with Airbus, Including H140 Helicopters
Air Methods expands its fleet with new Airbus helicopters, including the H140, H125, and H135, enhancing air medical transport capabilities. Learn more about the latest innovations in emergency medical aviation.

Boom’s Pursuit of Civil Supersonic Flight Prompts New International Standards
Boom Supersonic advances global supersonic travel with support from ICAO and FAA, leading to new international noise standards. Discover how Boom’s Overture aircraft and XB-1 demonstrator are paving the way for quiet, fast, and sustainable civil aviation.

Embraer and Denel sign MoU to cooperate on the KC- 390 Millennium
Embraer and Denel have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaboration on the KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, focusing on manufacturing and MRO activities to enhance strategic airlift capabilities in Africa.

Next-Gen Island Hopping: New Tecnam P2012 STOL Joins Inselflieger’s Fleet
Tecnam delivers the P2012 STOL to Inselflieger, enhancing air connectivity to the Frisian Islands with superior Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) performance, improved passenger comfort, and advanced avionics.

Embraer Conducts Structural Wing Test for New Technologies Demonstration Platform
Embraer has successfully completed structural fatigue tests of the wing for its New Technologies Demonstration Platform (PDNT). Supported by Finep and MCTI, the project advances sustainable aviation and strengthens Brazil’s aviation industry.

The Most Advanced Single Has Landed: Introducing the Pilatus PC-12 PRO
Discover the Pilatus PC-12 PRO, the most technologically advanced single-engine turboprop aircraft. Featuring a redesigned cockpit with the Garmin G3000 PRIME, cutting-edge safety functions like Autoland, and a modern, high-tech cabin, the PC-12 PRO sets new standards in performance, efficiency, and reliability.

New Emirati Company Sama Aviation Invests in Diamond DA40
Sama Aviation, an offshoot of Jazirah Aviation Club, has acquired its first Diamond DA40 for ab-initio pilot training in the UAE. Learn more about this state-of-the-art aircraft and its impact on flight training.


