Flyer Magazine

Oshkosh: The Left Out Stuff - The FLYER Show - 30th July 2026

We had so much material from this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (OK, ‘Oshkosh’ for short) that we decided to cover the left-out bits in the show. There’s some really good stuff here, honest: - ICON A5 + Safety Sense - Tecnam Rivale - Vashon Ranger Grand Teton - Jabiru Twin - Cirrus TRAC10 - Pipistrel Voyager (and what about the Panthera?) - Van’s RV12is - Zenair CH750 Super Cruzer - Lycoming engine TBO raised - Continental’s engine STC swap for Piper Archer NEWS Two ace GA people remembered: Geoff Weighell, microlighting champion and former BMAA boss, and David Roberts of Europe Airsports who quietly got on with promoting GA at government levels. Horten Flying Wing project for sale. Perfect for someone with a large fortune looking to downsize. CAA webinar coming up on the subject of mandatory Electronic Conspicuity. FLYER Fly-in on 11 August at Aces High, Steventon (PPR and Briefing essential). Four new free landings for August. What Caught My Eye Dave: Shuttleworth’s simple gorgeous Blackburn B.2 at Breighton. Ian: Over 153,000 commercial flights in one day - that's almost two takeoffs & landings per second. No accidents - amazing! Ed: Pedal Venture sets a record! Plus, SkyDemonTip, Weekend Weather Forecast and Events coming up. Links Join the Flyer Club - https://flyer.co.uk/membership/ Best of Oshkosh video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyhV3JR-qy4 Oshkosh Preview Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ6V_vBs7NQ #oshkosh #generalaviation #aviationnews #aviationtech #airshows

What’s new at Oshkosh 2026? - The FLYER Show - 16th July 2026

EAA Airventure Oshkosh starts next week and there’s lots to see. The FLYER works through the highlights that we know about: aircraft launches, product updates, new propulsion units - combustion and electric - visiting aircraft and much more! Plus there’s ton of news: Mandatory electronic conspicuity is coming: CAA launches a consultation. This one’s important! Sleapkosh was a huge success last weekend, with great weather, lots of aircraft, music, parties, food and much more. Kirkbridge Airfield is for sale: fancy it? Flying to Iceland in a flex-wing microlight: Trev Lee and Dave Bromley made it and we catch up with them in a video call Sad news: Metal Seagulls is to close. The Pembrokeshire-based engineering workshop (and Zenair agent) calls it a day. Blackbushe Airport is on the up! Lightspeed launches a new version of its DeltaZulu headset with an anti-noise profile specific to a Rotax engine. FLYER’s Ian Seager wins an award! A proper one! In What Caught My Eye Ian spots an aeroplane with a Bluebird connection. Dave raves about the line-up for this year’s Roswell Air Races. Ed meets a rare British 1930s survivor: the Foster Wikner Wicko Plus: SkyDemon tip Weekend weather forecast Club news Events coming up Links Donate to Trev and Dave’s fundraising microlight mission here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/iceland-flying-expo-2026 Mandatory EC consultation https://consultations.caa.co.uk/safety-and-airspace-regulation-group/ec-mandate/ Kirkbirde Airfiled Sale - https://www.hopesauction.co.uk/propertyhopes/kirkbride-airfield-kirkbride/ Join The Flyer Club https://www.flyer.co.uk/membership #oshkosh #generalaviation #aviationnews #aviationtech #airshows

Big GA News from Garmin, CubCrafters, Cirrus & Dynon - The FLYER Show - 9th July 2026

Blimey, this has to be one of the biggest news weeks we’ve ever seen (and Dave’s on holiday!) Big news from Garmin with a new integrated and configurable avionics ecosystem. Cub Crafters has added a turbine to its Carbon Cub, Cirrus has launched an all new training aircraft, the TRAC10 and Dynon has announced an IFR GPS to go with its HDX screen. Plus, your weekly SkyDemon tip - weather from Dr Simon Keeling (spoiler, it’s going to be hot), Events and What Caught our Eye. Links: flyer.co.uk/membership Garmin Axis - https://flyer.co.uk/garmin-unveils-axis-a-new-generation-of-highly-integrated-flight-displays/ Ian's flight test of Garmin Axis - https://flyer.co.uk/feature/flying-behind-garmins-new-axis-avionics/ CubCrafters - https://flyer.co.uk/new-ult-sees-carbon-cub-get-a-turbine/ Just Plane Silly Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@UCo2pHK7VPS0_0Tza4ll0SAw Dave vs Bryan Livestream - https://www.youtube.com/live/GNa0Z1uG92A #aviationnews #garmin #cirrus #generalaviation #aviationtech

CAA answers our cardio questions - The Flyer Show 2 July 2026

Perfect aeroplanes for summer evenings - The FLYER Show - 25th June 2026

It ain’t half hot, Mum! With weather like this week’s, what we need is a nice, simple aircraft for a cool bimble in the evening air. The team chose three aircraft that are perfect for an enjoyable, stress-free flight but the kicker is: they have to be on sale now, either from the classified ads or from a broker or dealer! Do you agree with their choices? What would you choose? PLUS In the news Follow up on the cardiovascular rule changes: we ask 5 questions of the CAA Thruxton, Popham and Solent are three of Hampshire’s airfields. Coming up is an event linking all three Sywell Aerodrome is closed to visiting aircraft during the week EGNOS, no, not Gran’s favourite Christmas tipple, but Europe’s satellite system for improving GPS accuracy and usefulness, is back on the Govt’s agenda The Raduno is happening this week with a fantastic itinerary! Club News Four new free landing fees for FLYER Club members coming up in July In What Caught My Eye Annabel is stunned by a Solstive Eveing Flight on video Dave spots the Short Take-Off and Landing competition at Breighton Ed embraces his inner Elon Musk celebrating the 35th anniversary of the movie The Rocketeer There’s more: SkyDemon tip of the week (user waypoints), Simon’s weekend weather forecast, Events coming up. #GeneralAviation #aviationnews #pilots #airfield #summerflying #aircraft

80 fabulous years of the deHavilland Chipmunk - The FLYER Show - 18th June 2026

“Why do people get all misty-eyed about an old oily piston single with only two seats?” But this isn’t any old piston single, this is the de Havilland Chipmunk! Yes, on this week’s show we talk to Ben Griffiths, journalist, pilot and author of a book celebrating 80 years since the Chippie’s first flight. All sorts of fascinating facts and awesome stories are revealed… the Chipmunk Cold War Spy Plane, for one! News There’s news about the reopening of Old Sarum Airfield to visiting aircraft, the record number of gyrocopters turning up at Old Warden Airfield, and tickets on sale for the Aviator’s Ball. In What Caught My Eye: Annabel is thrilled by the appearance of a North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco at the RAF Cosford Air Show - and it will be sticking around for some more air shows this summer. Dave spots the first signs of this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh with the start of SimVenture, a virtual fly-in based on Oshkosh. Fly at the iconic Fisk Approach and hear the unusual instructions from the Oshkosh air traffic controllers. Ed remembers the unusual McDonnell 220, a four-engine business jet that sadly failed to find a market leaving the one and only 220 ever built languishing at El Paso Airport. Now there’s a campaign to save the survivor. Plus: SkyDemon tip of the week Simon Keeling’s weekend weather forecast FLYER Club latest Events for the busiest weekend of the year Links: Aviator’s Ball tickets https://www.aerobility.com/aviators-ball-2026 SimVenture https://pilotedge.net/pages/simventure Pre-order Chipmunk at 80 book https://chipmunkat80.carrd.co/ #GeneralAviation #aviationnews #pilots #airfield #aviationhistory #chipmunk

GA and Drones plus dumb CAA advice - The FLYER Show - 11th June 2026

We call it YADS (Yet Another Drone Story), but last week the CAA launched YAC (Yet Another Consultation), publishing three hefty documents capable of curing insomnia even after five double espressos. Despite the eye-wateringly dull and confusing content they offer a fascinating glimpse into how the regulator sees the future of UK Beyond Visual Line of Sight drone ops. We took one for the team and read them so you don’t have to. Watch the segment to find out why we think Electronic Conspicuity is set to play an increasingly significant role in everyday flying. In the News: Continental Aerospace Technologies, which was acquired by AVIC, the Chinese state-owned aerospace giant in 2011, is back in US ownership following its purchase by Arcline Investment Management. Meanwhile, Cirrus Aircraft, also owned by AVIC, has been designated a Chinese Military Company by the US Department of Defense (we know). Closer to home, the UK CAA issued infringement avoidance advice for Coventry just days before the airspace was withdrawn, then followed it up with some positively dangerous guidance for pilots using the North West Transit Corridor. In What Caught My Eye: Ian spotted a classic Cessna 185 in a starring role in The Dog Stars, a major film due for release later this year and Ed’s attention was captured by a beautifully restored DC-3 that managed to escape Coventry before the closure. Join the FLYER Club today: flyer.co.uk/membership London Flying Club Event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lfc-evening-with-ian-seager-tickets-1987319557293?aff=oddtdtcreator #GeneralAviation #aviationnews #pilots #airfield #aviationhistory #DC3 #Cessna185

Replica Warbirds - The FLYER Show - 4th June 2026

Few of us can afford a genuine warbird but there’s a world of replica aircraft out there, many built from kits, some from plans and others – the really dedicated – from studying museum pieces and or photos. Some are full-scale, others scaled down. Many use modern components such as engines although a few hardy, brave souls with deeper pockets go for the real thing. We picked three replicas available right away in the aviation classifieds: Nieuport 11: chosen by Dave who was really looking for a Nieuport 17 because its was the favourite fighter of British WWI ace Albert Ball. However, this 11 is a stunning choice with its New Zealand builder spending time studying an original at Le Bourget’s famous aviation museum. Sopwith Scout: chosen by Ed. It’s a factory- accurate replica and powered by an original Le Rhone engine and original instruments. Airdrome Sopwith Baby: chosen by Ian. Airdrome Aeroplanes offers kit versions of many early aircraft and this one was ready to fly from its current home in Serbia. Beautifully finished, it had somehow gained an extra seat! In the News: Bye, bye Bicester: Bicester Motion is doing great things with the former wartime airfield but for the classic car industry not to preserve the site’s aviation heritage. Save Nottingham Airport: Campaigners refuse to give up! Now they’re asking for a Judicial Review of the decision to build houses on the site. Ireland’s Newcastle Aerodrome, just 30 miles south of Dublin and right on the coast, is up for sale. Tuning up: CubCrafters has come up with a way of enhancing the performance of the Rotax 916 engine simply by tuning the software. Farnborough fling: There’s a very unusual aviation related building up for sale close to the airport: the Farnborough Centrifuge. In What Caught My Eye: Dave falls for flying in New Zealand with a video of a de Havilland Beaver swooping across the countryside flown by a handy cropsprayer. Ian spots a chateau in France with its own air force: more than 100 ex-military jets parked on its lawn. Ed finds an impressive way to supply remote communities in North America with essentials: beer! Yes, it’s the keg drop! #aviationnews #replica #aviationhistory #pilots #airfield

Transatlantic flight, done! - The FLYER Show - 28th May 2026

For some, including Ian, it’s a bucket list item. For others, ferry pilots, it’s a job. Whatever, it’s not a flight to be taken lightly because of weather, distance, weather, over water, weather, over ice, weather, fuel availability, weather… and did we mention, weather? We examine the difficulties and how they can be tackled or at least minimised. What aircraft to choose? Potential mods. Intelligent safety aids to carry. What’s the paperwork required? What’s the best routing, both VFR and IFR. In the News Why is squawking a monitoring code a good idea around Oxford Airport? The Flying Reporter’s transatlantic adventure takes off… with an emergency RIAT cancelled Paraglider’s Great Escape after mid-air collision Glenforsa stages its 54th Annual Mull Fly-in FLYER Club news June free landing: Easter, Kingsmuir, Eshott and Yatesbury New safety webinar: Gliding and Shared Airspace Send your flying photos and videos to us! In What Caught My Eye Dave marvels at the action at Wolverhampton Halfpeny Green Airport over last weekend: Chippies galore plus a totally gorgeous and rare Douglas C41A makes the airport its new base Ian falls in love again for a French beauty: this time it’s the Renault-Caudron C.460 replica which made an appearance at La Ferte-Alais air show at the weekend Ed heads straight for the burgers at the first Popham BBQ of the summer season and has nothing but praise for the chefs, the marshals, airfield managers and all the other pilots who also flew in. Flying at its best! Links FAA North Atlantic Flight Planning document: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/media/NAT%20IGA%202004.pdf Flying Reporter: https://www.flyingreporter.co.uk/ Gliding and Shared Airspace webinar: https://youtube.com/live/Xtnc_TVrrFg #aviationnews #atlanticcrossing #aviationadventures #pilots #aviationcrash

AFFORDABLE WARBIRDS - The FLYER Show - 21st May 2026

So what’s a warbird? Any aircraft with a military purpose at some point in its life, is what we’ve gone for. But not the £MultiMillion exotica like Spitfires and Hurricanes, but something an ordinary pilot could own outright or have a share. So what have we chosen? Ian has plumped for the Chipmunk, of course, because the subject is inspired by this week’s International Gathering of Chipminks at Halfpenny Green (Wolverhampton) which will celebrate the aircraft’s first flight 80 years ago. Take one Piper Cub J34, paint it drab green rather than bright yellow and you have the L4, an aerial reconnaissance aircraft used across the European theatre during WW11. Ed loves a Cub, so that’s his choice. Dave found an absolutely gorgeous Boeing Stearman PT-17 dating from 1941. The big biplane was a primary trainer and almost all US pilots and 10,000 British pilots learnt the basics. It’s big, brash and very, very tough. In this week’s News: British company announces a composite kitplane Spitfire World Airsports Day has been decreed: it’s 14 October Flown west: aviation writer Rod Simpson and Sportys founder Hal Shrevers Pilot Careers Live North gets a new venue after outgrowing the old one. Tickets are available now for the event on 11 July FLYER Club News Next webinar: Gliding activity in shared skies with Pete Stratten of the Britosh Gliding Association. It’s at 7pm, Wednesday 27 May and open to all. Find it here, on FLYER’s YouTube channel In What Caught My Eye: Floatplane flying in the Italian lakes: Dave splashes down at Aero Club Como where it’s possible to not only complete a Seaplane Rating but also train for a complete PPL(A) Ian gets fired up about a strange press release from a drone company fitting machine guns (yes, really) Ed remembers Sheila Scott, who became the first British pilot to fly solo around the world in 1966 Links: Historic & Classic (Stearman and L4) https://historicandclassicaircraftsales.com/ Pilot Careers Live North https://www.pilotcareernews.com/live/uk-manchester-11-july-2026/ #warbirds #aviationnews #aviation #pilots #ww2history #historicalaircraft

Special Top Gun Edition - The FLYER Show - 14th May 2026

The world’s greatest ever movie, Top Gun, was first shown in May 1986 so it’s now 40 years old and still as appealing as ever! We celebrate the date with our favourite scenes and lines, plus reveal some of the back stories which are just as bad-ass. In The News Doncaster Sheffield Airport inches closer to re-opening 4Air’s electric aircraft gift to Aerobility Royal Aero Club annual awards Popham’s neighbours need our help CAA wants our feedback on Manchester’s North West Transit Corridor PPL Skill Test standards document updated Special offer from Hangar Homes Plus SkyDemon Tip of the Week, Weekend Weather Forecast, Club News and Events In What Caught My Eye Dave finds a classic tailwheel aircraft for just £3,500 Annabel makes a splash in Scotland with a Seaplane Rating Ed spots one of FLYER’s best ever flight test aircraft is up for sale Links Popham’s neighbours need our help: https://flyer.co.uk/pophams-neighbours-need-help-to-defeat-hgv-nightmare/ North West Transit Corridor feedback: https://consultations.caa.co.uk/safety-and-airspace-regulation-group/nwtc-pir/ PPL Skill Test Standards Document 19A: https://www.caa.co.uk/data-and-publications/publications/documents/content/standards-document-19-a/ Special offer on hangar home at Enniskillen Aeropark: https://flyer.co.uk/special-offer-on-a-hangar-home-at-enniskillen-aeropark/ Lockheed12A Electra Junior Flight Test: https://flyer.co.uk/feature/lockheed-12a-electra-junior/ Behind the Scenes with Top Gun: Maverick Aerial Team / Cinejet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQUGwYHhCKw #topgun #topgunmaverick #aviation #aviationnews #pilots #movies

Waco Whacked! Sonex Saved! - The FLYER Show - 7th May 2026

“To make a small fortune in aviation, start with a large one!” It’s as hard as ever to stay in business in General Aviation (GA) with manufacturers struggling to make money or even break even. We take a look back at three of the big name brands that have faced tough times, run through some of the many casualties - and end with a couple of surprises. In the News: Popham Microlight Trade Fair was a huge success Sonex Aircraft bounces back Drones get loadsamoney Govt support - but at what cost to GA DeltaHawk update: Jet A burning new engine is causing a stir In What Caught My Eye: Dave is shocked by Robinson Helicopter’s electric plans Ian spots signs of a long gone and much missed airfield Ed has a mad twin! Blimey, can we cope? Plus: SkyDemon tip of the week Simon Keeling’s Weekend Weather forecast FLYER Club news Flying events coming up Links FLYER #FLY2026 Challenge: https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=139024 FLYER Club membership: https://flyer.co.uk/membership/ #generalaviation #aviationnews #popham #waco #aviation

Mighty Microlights! (And the Cheap ‘n Cheerful) - The FLYER Show - 30th April 2026

Ahead of the Popham Microlight Trade Fair we take a look at the UK’s booming 600kg Light Sport Microlight category: what aircraft are approved, what’s on the way and our Top 5. In the News: AERO 2026 was a huge success: Ed has the numbers What’s new in radio chat: CAA updates CAP 413, the R/T manual Blackbushe flight school aiming for record airfield landings Popham Microlight Trade Faire this weekend Club News: Free landings for May: Causeway, Perth, Felthorpe and Jersey Catch up on a brand new webinar about flying to and from the Channel Islands In What Caught My Eye: Ian spots a new easy to use Traffic Display Dave marvels at a French two-seat jet, the Sipa S.200. Think mini Vampire Ed is stunned by the very last Beech Staggerwing, a beautiful biplane once owned by Walter Beech himself… and it’s for sale Links Video Best of Aero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmJ5YP1-OUM FLYER Club membership: https://flyer.co.uk/membership/ Donate to Airfirst’s “Beyond the Record” Challenge: https://www.gofundme.com/f/beyond-the-record-airfield-challenge #aero2026 #aviationnews #popham #microlight #aviation

All that's hot from AERO 2026 - The FLYER Show - 23 April 2026

This week's show comes to you live - the team will be bringing you all of the hot news from AERO 2026!

It’s time for AERO Friedrichshafen! - The FLYER Show - 16th April 2026

Yes, the FLYER team is off to Europe’s top General Aviation show staged at Friedrichshafen Messe which just happened to be adjacent to the local airport, on the shore of Lake Bodensee in southern Germany. Aircraft, avionics, engines, propellers and a zillion accessory and service providers from all over the world descend on what is a stunning location. This week on The FLYER Show we preview the show, looking at some of highlights we’ve already heard about. In the News British Airways opens its 2026 fully funded airline pilot training programme Garmin launches a new pilot watch with InReach satellite comms and much more MagniX proposes an electric power system for Vans RV-10 kitplane The Alto NG 600kg microlight kicks off its UK type approval process New 7-blade prop for the Piper M700 Fury French maker Aura Aero is awash with cash to build more of its two-seat aerobatic aircraft Europe’s business aviation show, EBACE, cancels with just weeks to go What Caught My Eye this week Dave is getting wound up about the Chipmunk’s upcoming 80th anniversary Ian ponders the little known Sreya Aviation Envoy which promised so much but delivered… well what? Ed finds a bunch of aviation geeks building a 60% scale replica of a late 1950s V-bomber Links Video: Essential advice for BA’s 2026 pilot sponsorship course https://youtu.be/1oOYxjb3_YE?si=oVE7HDudJ8dss8kD FLYER Club membership: https://flyer.co.uk/membership/ Pilot Careers Live April 18th - https://www.pilotcareernews.com/live/heathrow-april-2026/ #aviationnews #aero #generalaviation #aircraft #pilots

Three fantastic NASA aircraft - The FLYER Show - 9th April 2026

NASA has created many experimental aircraft over the years and operated many others. In the week Artemis II flew to the Moon and around it for the first time in 53 years, we pick our favourites… and it’s an eclectic mix, we admit. Especially since one of us (DAVE!) mis-understood the brief. No matter, watch, listen and let us know your thoughts! PLUS In the News Great Britain’s Vertical Aerospace has flown the all-important transition test flight, going from vertical take-off to wingborne flight - and raised shedloads of investment cash in the process Poacher turned gamekeeper? AOPA is to deliver the CAA’s Airspace Infringement Courses in place of GASCo Piper wing spars are back in the news. Could yours be affected? Andrewsfield Airfield is back in operation. Hooray! Sun n Fun starts in Florida next week. Yes, it’s both sunny and fun but also followed by AERO at Friedrichshafen on the banks of Lake Constance in Germany What Caught My Eye Ian rants (his second one) about AI slop in aviation Dave finds a brilliant, gorgeous Pitts Model 12 for sale Ed is enlightened by a flight review of the Spirit SE-1 by an occasional FLYER contributor Links: Euro GA link in description - Spirit SE-1 Review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTzwVQ6f1AA Join the Flyer club - https://flyer.co.uk/membership/ Pilot Careers Live April 18th - https://www.pilotcareernews.com/live/heathrow-april-2026/ #aviationnews #nasa #generalaviation #aircraft #pilots

What is the cost in 2026 for Private Pilot’s Licence? - The FLYER Show - 2nd April 2026

£10k? £15k? £20k? We run through some of the figures, some of the options and remember our first solo flights - which vary from a flex-wing microlight to a glider to a Piper Cub! Plus, in the News: Sonex Aircraft closes Avid founder and designer, Dean Wildon, RIP Microlight Awards + video chat with Owain Johns, CEO of the BMAA The Reno, sorry Roswell Air Races are back and this time all the really fast guys will be there Update on fuel prices In What Caught My Eye: Ian wonders about a spectacular forced landing in Oregon’s immense Snake River Canyon Dave is excited about Pussy Galore’s Piper Ed speculates on the future of a new light twin from Poland Plus: SkyDemon tip Weekend weather forecast Latest FLYER Club news including four new free landings for members Weekend events Links: Freedom Fox Adventures Hell's Canyon p1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPn1Vh-ebAs Freedom Fox Adventures Hell's Canyon p2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrPiSsMzU_4 Sonex shutting down - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl9H0N_r8kE&t=3s #aviationnews #learntofly #generalaviation #aircraft #pilots

Avgas: Heading for £3 per litre? - The FLYER Show - 26 March 2026

Oil prices are rising quickly and the £3 litre of 100LL avgas is a definite possibility. In some parts of Europe, it’s already close. We take a look at current UK, Europe and USA prices, talk to the suppliers for their view and ask where’s it going? Plus, in this week’s News Swift Fuels 100R unleaded avgas is approved for hundreds more aircraft We look back at the life of Mike Melvill, kitplane builder, test pilot and first civilian astronaut Ultimate High is having a GA Safety Day at Goodwood Loganair trials electric aircraft in the Highlands & Islands Greenland’s legendary Narsarsuaq Airport us to close £190k job at the CAA to sort out airspace mess In What Caught Me Eye this week: Dave finds a simulator of a Thruster microlight for those days when it’s too windy to fly the real thing. Ian fancies a blend, a blended wing aircraft that is. Two are due to appear at April’s AERO Friedrichshafen show. Ed finds a seven-tenths scale Junkers Ju-87 Stuka replica for sale. Will he ever stop making that Stuka dive bomber sound? Links Thruster simulator https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqGnECqInpI Stuka replica https://www.swarbirds.com/ju-87-stuka-replica Send your “Welcome to The FLYER Show” videos to: editorial@seager.aero via https://wetransfer.com/ #aviationnews #fuelprices #generalaviation #aircraft #pilots

Airport sale collapses - The FLYER Show - 19 March 2026

The sale of the busiest General Aviation airport in the UK to Horizon Aero Group has collapsed. What do the two local councils which own the airport do now? We visit the airport - still functioning and busy - and look at what it could be. In this week’s news: Sale of Gloucestershire Airport collapses Consultation over the airspace above Manston Airport in Kent when it reopens Update on the new MD 564 ‘hotrod’ helicopter Entries open for TopNav 2026, the navigation competition that takes place in May Enthusiasts building a replica of a 1911 Helpman 1, an early aeroplane in the Netherlands In What Caught My Eye this week Ian chases a bigger Bird Dog (that’s a Cessna btw) Dave marvels at two microlight pilots heading for Iceland Ed is enthralled by the latest aeroplane from Lego, the legendary DC-3 Plus events, SkyDemon tip, the weekend’s weather forecast and FLYER Club news Links FLY2026 - https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=139024 Top Nav - https://rin.org.uk/page/TopNav Lego DC-3 https://www.lego.com/en-gb/product/douglas-dc-3-pan-am-airliner-11378 Welcome to the Flyer show videos send to - editorial@seager.aero - Via WeTransfer #aviationnews #gloucestershire #generalaviation #aircraft #pilots

Air Racing, STOL, Rally, & More! - The FLYER Show - 12 March 2026

What flying competitions can you take part in as a General Aviation pilot? There’s a surprising number of events and a wide range of sports, from air racing to short take-off and landing (STOL) competitions. For the tourers, there’s the Pooleys Dawn to Dusk Challenge, navigation exercises or precision/rally flying. The SkyDemon tip is about integrated AIPs and airfield guides. In the news we discuss: Old Sarum Airfield wins planning appeal Bicester Airfield hangar restored New helicopters everywhere at the Verticon trade show Fuel prices In What Caught My Eye this week: Annabel intercepts a video from Sam Rutherford Dave spots a Spitfire Ed finds a real-life fantasy hangar that’s straight out of a Bond movie Links: FLY2026 - https://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=139024 Attend/Enter Real Stol event -https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iYGU1REw62u-sArdKHEr3HDIyO-FWFARUD3v8vYDjtE/edith Spitfires.com circumnavigation - https://www.spitfires.com/spitfire90 RRRA - https://www.royalaeroclubrrra.co.uk/ British Aerobatics - https://www.aerobatics.org.uk/ Top Nav - https://rin.org.uk/page/TopNav Precision Flying World Championship 2026 - https://wpfc2026.pl/ British Precision Pilots Association - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1687052261663401 Welcome to the Flyer show videos send to - editorial@seager.aero - Via WeTransfer #aviationnews #generalaviation #aircraft #pilots #airrace