Aviation News - December 2013x

This issue of ‘Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft’ magazine has a FREE ‘UK & Irish Passenger Airlines 2014’ poster with an aircraft sideview of each airline and a fleet list.

The 84-page issue has articles on:

British Airways A380 – New Flagship Long-haul Debut
British Airways recently introduced the Airbus A380 on long-haul flights.  Charles Kennedy describes the type’s entry into service and the passenger experience on a trip to Los Angeles.

The Aviation News Guide to Virtual Radars
David Smith provides an overview of the virtual radar options available to enthusiasts – receivers, phone apps and those available on the internet.

Operation Creek Party – The KC-97L in Europe
Bob Archer explains how the retired Stratofreighter was given a new lease of life in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s.

CSeries Flies…into a Crowded Market
The Bombardier CSeries recently flew for the first time – Bruce Hales-Dutton analyses this new airliner family and its innovations.

Tales of a T-Bird
Luigino Caliaro meets Paul Keppeler, owner of a Lockheed T-33 that is a popular US airshow performer.

Dassault’s Rafale Comes of Age
Eric Deckard describes Dassault’s impressive Rafale multirole fighter.

Night-Fighter Duels
Norman Franks tells the story of one of the RAF’s most successful night-fighter crews.

Plus…

REGULARS

Headlines – includes news of a proposed successor to the Blackbird – the SR-72. There is also items on the retirement of the C-130K by the RAF and details of a new F-22 Raptor squadron.

Military News – there is the latest news on the Typhoon and F-35, the final UK military aircraft unit to leave Germany and details of a major NATO summit in the UK that will involve lots of VIP aircraft, plus more.

Civil News – has a photo of the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner for Royal Brunei Airlines, an artist’s impression of the recently unveiled Dassault Falcon 5X, details of Norwegian’s new long-haul flights from London Gatwick plus new airline routes and orders and much more.

Preservation News – this section features the latest news on the heritage aircraft scene from around the world, be it return to flight projects or new additions to museums.  This month’s news includes a new scheme for a BBMF Spitfire and the relocation of a test Tornado GR1 from Boscombe Down.

Models Round-up

Room with a View – this month we feature a hotel in the heart of Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris which has good photographic opportunities.

Airshow News and Calendar

Models Roundup – reviews of new diecast models on the market.

Aviation Archaeology – any news on historic aircraft being unearthed or found after many years will be covered in this section. 

Flight Bag – reviews of products of interest to the enthusiast.

Air Mail – readers’ letters

Register Review

Air Base Movements

Airport Movements