Flyer Magazine

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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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