Antonov An-26B LY-APN (c/n 12010, ex UR-BXF) of Aviavilsa was noted at Madrid-Barajas Airport in Spain on August 29, 2011. The cargo carrier is based at Vilnius International Airport in Lithuania, and has two An-26Bs (one on a long-term DHL contract) and an ATR 42-300F (leased to AlbaStar). In addition to flying its own An-26s, Aviavilsa also undertakes maintenance of the type for other operators.

Mil Mi-8T HS-13 being towed at Papa AB on August 25, 2011 after emerging from the An-124-100 it arrived in.

On August 20, 2011 the Hungarian armed forces conducted a military capabilities demonstration over the Tisza River in Szolnok. The date is a national holiday, marking the foundation of the state of Hungary and commemorating its first king. Taking part in the exhibition was MH Mi-24V-1 Hind 716 (c/n K220716, above) of the 86 Helikopter Ezred, 2 Harci Helikopter Zaszloalj (86 Helicopter Regiment, 2 Attack Helicopter Battalion), known as Csorike II, which was making its final official flight before being retired. The csorike is the national Hungarian eagle, and was also the nickname of the first Hind (Mi-24D 117) to wear a version of the scheme. The helicopter is seen here practising for the event on August 17 and 18.

Serbian Air Force MiG-29B 18108 (c/n 2960525100) carrying an under-fuselage drop tank and two R-60 air-to-air missiles is seen on August 26, 2011 taking off from Graf Ignatievo. The aircraft took part in a live firing sortie against an SPM-100 parachute-flare target over Shabla range on the Black Sea shore.

The first TAI-assembled T129 prototype completed its maiden flight on August 17, 2011.

Four of the six RNLAF F-16AMs delivered to the Fuerza Aerea de Chile in early September 2011, seen flying in formation over the Atlantic at 27,000ft (8,230m). F-16AM J-875, the last of the six jets to land at BA Cerro Moreno on September 2, carried special markings on its tail for the occasion.

Four of the six RNLAF F-16AMs delivered to the Fuerza Aerea de Chile in early September 2011. F-16AM J-875, the last of the six jets to land at BA Cerro Moreno on September 2, carried special markings on its tail for the occasion.

Noted at the Abbotsford International Air Show, British Columbia, held on August 12 to 14, 2011, was the specially painted Canadian Forces' CF-18 Hornet tactical demonstration aircraft for 2011. The aircraft (188796) is flown by Captain Erick O'Connor of No.409 Tactical Fighter Squadron, 4 Wing, based at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. The theme of the markings is 'Supporting Our Military Families'.

Seen operating around the Salisbury Plain Training Area, Wiltshire, on September 2, 2011 was Bell 212 AH3 ZK067 (c/n 3083S, ex G-BFER) of 671 Squadron, 7 (Training) Regiment. The helicopter was used for the training of aircrews for the two overseas-based Flights equipped with the type. However, one of these, No.25 Flight in Belize has recently disbanded, leaving No.7 Flight in Brunei. No.25 Flight's final operational sortie was undertaken by Bell 212 AH2 ZJ964/'A' on July 15. Since then the three helicopters (AH2 ZJ966/'C' and AHI ZJ969/'B‘ being the others) have returned to Middle Wallop, Hampshire. In addition. Bell 212 AH2 ZK206 is also based at Middle Wallop, assigned directly to Joint Helicopter Command.

A United States Marine Corps Bell AH-1Z Viper conducting pre-deployment deck-landing qualifications onboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) in mid-August 2011. The attack helicopter belongs to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (HMM-268), part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Although declared combat-ready in September 2010, AH-1Z crews have been preparing to take part in their first operational deployment as part of Amphibious Squadron 5 later this year. The LPD can operate up to ten aircraft.

Airbus A380-861 A6-EDN (msn 056, ex F-WWAR) of Emirates is seen departing Manchester International Airport on September 3, 2011 after its first visit to the UK. Emirates uses the aircraft on services between the UK and Kingsford Smith International in Sydney, New South Wales in Australia. The airliner carries artwork on its rear fuselage, and titles on its nose, promoting the 2011 Rugby World Cup - which is taking place in New Zealand during September and October. Emirates is a 'Worldwide Partner' for the event, as well as the official airline of the tournament.

Noted landing at Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport in Germany on the evening of September 9, 2011 was Airbus A340-541 7T-VPP (msn 917, ex F-WWTM) of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria. The head-of-state aircraft was delivered on June 10, 2008, and was outfitted at San Antonio-Kelly Field, Texas, arriving at Aoulef Airport in Algeria on November 30, 2009. Although the reason for its visit to Hamburg has not been disclosed, it may be receiving attention from the Lufthansa Technik facility at the airport.

Distinctive external features of the MiG-29UPG are the enlarged dorsal spine for extra internal fuel and the in-flight refuelling probe on the port side of the nose. KBU3301 is seen preparing for take-off from Zhukovsky on August 19, 2011 carrying a pair of Zvezda Kh-35U (AS-20 Kayak) anti-ship missiles.

Nigerian Air Force C-130H-30 NAF918 about to touch down at Marshall Airport, Cambridgeshire, on August 27, 2011.

On August 20, 2011 the Hungarian armed forces conducted a military capabilities demonstration over the Tisza River in Szolnok. The date is a national holiday, marking the foundation of the state of Hungary and commemorating its first king. As part of the demonstration, soldiers jumped from Mil Mi-17 705 (c/n 104M05, below) into the river while the Hind secured the area. The helicopter is seen here practising for the event on August 17 and 18.

Both of the Serbian Air Force's newly delivered Mil Mi-8MTs took part in the Serbian Air Force day celebration on August 2, 2011. This is 12550 (c/n 202M97).

The UK Joint Helicopter Command's Exercise Pashtun Jaguar 2-11 concluded on August 21, 2011. The mission rehearsal exercise prepares aircrews for operations in Afghanistan. Pashtun Jaguar 2-11 began on July 24 and most of the flying took place over Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire. In addition to Army Air Corps Apache AH1s and Lynx, and RAF Chinooks and Merlin HC3/3As, Royal Navy Sea King HC4s from the service's commando support squadrons took part in the early stages, before they were replaced by RAF Puma HC1s. In the final week the Pumas gave way to two Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force) CH-47D Chinooks (D-103 and D-663) from No.298 Squadron based at Gilze-Rijen (seen here).

British Defence Minister Dr Liam Fox in front of a Chinook at RAF Odiham, Hampshire, on August 22, 2011.

A wounded soldier is rushed to a waiting RAF Chinook HC2 by members of A Company, The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, during Operation Zmaray Suk II in July 2011. The intention of the operation in Helmand Province was to insert security forces into an area used by the Taliban that had seen little activity by ISAF or Afghan security forces. Intercepted radio messages during the fight indicated a force of around 60 insurgents in the area.

Artist's impression of the Chinook HC6 due to be delivered to the RAF.

Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey BuNo 166491/70' (c/n D0070) of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 (HX-21) 'Blackjack' based at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, has recently been used in a series of biofuel test flights. The tiltrotor was flown using a blend of 50-50 camelina-based biofuel and standard JP-5. It is seen during one of the flights on August 10, 2011.

The RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 40 forms the basis of NATO’s AGS programme. A development contract is due to be signed imminently.

Fokker 50 P2-TAE (c/n 20202, ex PH-FZG) is the first of six for Air Travel of Papua New Guinea. The turboprop is seen at Maastricht Aachen Airport in the Netherlands on August 18, 2011 at the start of its delivery flight. It was previously operated by Arik Air before being returned from its lease to Denim Air and stored in January 2010. Travel Air will fly four of the aircraft in passenger configuration from Madang in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea, while the other pair will primarily operate from Lae, Morobe Province, as freighters. The airline was established in 2010 and originally looked to acquire Bombardier Dash 8s. It is also reportedly interested in acquiring Fokker 70s or 100s.

Dornier 328-100 CC-ACG, the first for Aerocardal, was used on its inaugural schedule service from August 16, 2011.

Canadian Force Bombardier CC-144B Challenger 144616 (c/n 3038, ex G-GCUT) of No.412 Squadron was an interesting visitor to Manchester Airport on August 12, 2011. The aircraft landed at the airport for a fuel stop after flying from Paphos on Cyprus, before departing for St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Although the Learjet 85 retains the same basic outline as earlier variants of the business jet, it is a new design. Flexjet has become the launch customer.

JoinJet of Denmark is the first customer for the Hawker 800XPR upgrade. OY-JJA had its winglets fitted at Hawarden Airport, Chester, from December 2010 and new engines installed at Little Rock, Arkansas, by March 2011.

The first Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 5000 for the Luftwaffe (98+48, c/n 9395, ex C-GDCF) arrivet at Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport on August 25, 2011 for delivery to the German Ministry of Defence, The aircraft flew direct from Montreal-Pierre Trudeau International Airport, Quebec, the same day, where it had been handed over to German Operating Aircraft Leasing, a subcontractor to Lufthansa Technik, itself responsible for the acquisition of the Global 5000s as part of the renewal of the German Government's VIP fleet. The aircraft departed Hamburg for Cologne-Bonn Airport on September 4 (and is seen there two days later) where it will serve with the Flugbereitschaft des Bundesministeriums der Verteidigung (Ministry of Defence Special Mission Flight) as 14+01. The other three will be delivered by the end of 2011.

Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy 650 G-VILP (c/n 14501127, ex PT-TKY) was delivered to London Executive Aviation on June 17, 2011.

EADS/IAI Harfang 1020/F-SDAT of Escadron de Drones 01.330 'Belfort' at NAS Sigonella on Sicily in August 2011.

Alenia C-27J Spartan CN-AMQ, also carrying the Italian test serial CSX62278, is the last destined for the Royal Moroccan Air Force. The transport is seen at Turin-Caselle Airport on September 2, 2011 at the conclusion of a test flight with the manufacturer. Morocco ordered four C-27Js in September 2008 and the first (CN-AMN) was delivered on July 7, 2010. The final example is due to be delivered soon.

The first Alenia C-27J Spartan II for the Mexican Air Force (carrying the test serial CSX62259) is seen on approach to Turin-Caselle Airport on August 24, 2011. The transport is undergoing test flights from Alenia Aeronautica's facility at the airport. Mexico ordered four Spartans in July, with the first scheduled for delivery in time to take part in a military parade that was due to take place in Mexico City on September 16. CSX62259 is believed to be one of the aircraft built for the Hellenic Air Force (4146/HA011), but its delivery was later cancelled. The other three will be handed over by the end of 2012.

C-9C 73-1682 touches down at Dover AFB, Delaware, for the last time - this is the first example of the variant to be retired.

On August 28, 2011, Airbus A330-203 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) MRTT004 (msn 1036, ex F-WWKZ) was ferried between Getafe in Spain and Orly outside Paris. The aircraft was converted from a 'green' A330 airframe to MRTT configuration by Qantas Defence Industries at Brisbane, Queensland, and will be painted in Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) colours in France, emerging as A39-004 before delivery. It carries a bull emblem on the starboard side of the fin and a kangaroo on the port. A second A330-203 EC-336 (msn 1183, ex F-WWKN, to become A39-005) is currently being converted at Brisbane. Both aircraft will join No. 33 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, joining the three already delivered. In RAAF service the A330 MRTT is known as the KC-30A.

A330-243 EC-331 inside the A330 Conversion Centre at Bournemouth International Airport, Dorset on September 2, 2011.

Saab has completed development of the Skeldar V-200 rotary-wing UAV and is seeking a launch customer.

Sikorsky completed the delayed first flight of the third prototype S-76D in early September 2011. N763DX (03. c/n 761003) was originally expected to join the test fleet in the fourth quarter of 2009, but this was postponed to early 2011 because of issues arising from the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S turboshaft, according to Sikorsky. It will serve primarily as the certification airframe for the avionics and electrical systems. The first prototype flew on February 2, 2009, and the second on March 19, 2010. Certification is currently planned for the first quarter of 2012 with initial deliveries later that year.

Noted transiting Glasgow Prestwick Airport heading east on August 28, 2011 were two Beech 200 King Airs wearing US Army titles. Assigned US civil registrations, A200CT N40Y (c/n BP-030) and B200C N57B (c/n BL-67), both are registered to Dynamic Avlease, part of Dynamic Aviation of Bridgewater, Virginia. Dynamic currently leases King Airs to the US Department of Defense for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance within US Central Command's area of operation, including Afghanistan and Iraq. Like many of its other King Airs, N40Y (seen here) carries laser-warning detectors on its nose and rear fuselage, and extensive communication antennas, although it lacks the ventral pannier carried by some.

Beechcraft C-12J 86-0082 (c/n UD-5), which serves with the 78th Aviation Battalion, US Army Japan, based at Camp Zama, transited Boeing Field/King County International Airport, Washington, on August 20, 2011. The role of the aircraft is unknown. It operates alongside three Cessna UC-35As used for operational support airlift (OSA) with the fixed wing detachment. The UC-35As are provided by A Company, 6-52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Brigade. In addition, Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks are assigned to Alpha Company. The C-12J's cabin windows have been blacked out, possibly indicating that it is used for duties other than OSA.

Flight testing of the Diamond D-JET has resumed in Canada after a five-month suspension.

Lynx Wildcat ZZ402 is seen on August 2, 2011 carrying two simulated FASGW 'heavy' weapons on both the port and starboard outboard stations, while the inboard port side has a simulated 'light' weapon attached. The in-board starboard position has a box-like 'aero-dummy' box attached as a counter balance.

A Nanchang CJ-6 of the Sky Wing demonstration team. The aircraft is due to be replaced as the service's basic trainer by the Hongdu JL-7.

25 ноября 2009г.: после выкатки из цеха 29 сентября первый бизнес-джет большой дальности Gulfstream G650 впервые поднялся в воздух с аэродрома в Саванне, штат Джорджия. Максимальная эксплуатационная скорость G650 составляла М=0,925.
Gulfstream hopes to deliver up to 12 'green' G650s to completion centres by the end of 2012.

A five-day Quick Reaction Assessment (QRA) by the Lockheed Martin/Kaman K-1200 K-Max unmanned test-bed was completed in early September 2011. The QRA was designed to prove sustainment of a cargo-carrying capability in an operational environment. The K-Max is competing against the Boeing A160T Hummingbird for a contract for an air vehicle to form part of the US Navy's Cargo Unmanned Aircraft System programme, which calls for a UAV to autonomously resupply Marines on the battlefield and in remote areas.

Five of the six Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules ordered by the Indian Air Force have been delivered. KC3806 (c/n 5655) arrived at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, on September 3, 2011 on its delivery flight, having flown from Marietta in Georgia via St John's in Newfoundland using the callsign IFC4411. It continued on its journey two days later. The transport is the penultimate example of the original batch ordered by India to support its special forces, with the fleet entering service with No. 77 Squadron 'Veiled Vipers' at Hindoo Air Force Station. The last aircraft - actually the first to be produced (KC3801, c/n 5638) - is expected to join them shortly.

On display at the Radom Airshow in Poland on August 27 and 28, 2011 was PZL M28B Bryza 1RM bis 0810 (c/n 1AJGP01-01) of 30 Eskadra Marinarki Wojennej (naval squadron) of the Polish Navy, based at Cewice/Siemerowice. The Bryza 1RM bis is a maritime patrol and reconnaissance variant of the aircraft with a submarine detection capability It is equipped with an ARS-800-2 360 search and surveillance radar, hydro-acoustic sonobuoys, forward looking infra-red camera, magnetic anomaly detector and Link-11 datalink. The aircraft is primarily used for maritime border patrol, support of search and rescue operations and customs enforcement duties.

Airbus A321-231 D-AVZS (msn 4826), to become VN-A327 of Cambodia Angkor Air, is seen making its first flight on August 19, 2011 at Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport, Germany. The airline currently operates a single A321-231 (VN-A351, msn 3005, ex D-AVZI) and two ATR 72-500s. Based at Phnom Penh-Pochentong International, Cambodia Angkor Air commenced operations in July 2009 and is a joint venture between the Cambodian Government (51%) and Vietnam Airlines (49%). Its fleet is currently leased from Vietnam Airlines, and the second A321 is part of an order for 16 placed by that carrier in June 2009.

Indian regional carrier SpiceJet has taken delivery of its first Bombardier DHC-8-402Q NextGen. Dash 8 VT-SUA (named Sanuf, c/n 4373, ex C-GJJU) is seen arriving at Luqa International Airport on Malta on August 28, 2011 during its ferry flight to India. Later the same day VT-SUB (Heeng, c/n 4374, ex C-GJKC) arrived at the same airfield. VT-SUA departed Toronto-Downsview Airport, Ontario, on August 26, and flew via Goose Bay, Labrador; Reykjavik Airport in Iceland; and Bournemouth Airport, Dorset, before arriving at Luqa on August 28. It departed for Luxor Airport in Egypt, stopping at Muscat International Airport in Oman before arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on August 30. SpiceJet ordered 15 Q400s and placed options for another 15 on December 9, 2010.

Malaysian regional carrier Firefly has announced it will cease to operate jets, instead concentrating on turboprop services with its ATR 72-500s. All of the carrier's Boeing 737s are being transferred to a new airline, called Sapphire. Both airlines are subsidiaries of Malaysian Airline Systems. Firefly operates ten ATR 72-500s, with another five on order, plus two Boeing 737-400s and six (of 24 on order) 737-800s. The outstanding 737-800s will be delivered in Sapphire's colours. Boeing 737-8FZ(WL) 9M-FFF (c/n 39320) is believed to be the last new aircraft in Firefly colours, seen here undergoing pre-delivery trials at Boeing Field/King County International Airport, Washington. It was delivered on June 28, 2011.

Boeing 737-838 VH-VZD (c/n 34198, named Geelong) carries discreet markings celebrating the airline's partnership with Australian telecomms company Optus, which allows its customers to earn frequent flyer points, on its lower front fuselage. Various examples of Australia's fauna adorn the fuselage sides. The alliance was announced on September 1, 2011. The airliner is seen on approach to Melbourne-Tullamarine International Airport, Victoria, on September 3, having flown from Brisbane in Queensland.

Aerolineas Argentinas' latest scheme has begun appearing on its new fleet of Boeing 737-700s. Boeing 737-7Q8(WL) LV-CPH (c/n 28238, ex N711LF) is seen wearing the colours on runway 17R at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, Santiago de Chile, on September 2, 2011. The airliner was delivered on May 21 and is one of ten of the variant due to be leased from International Lease Finance Corporation under a deal announced in late November 2010. Another two were ordered by the airline from the manufacturer in early 2009. They will replace the current Boeing 737-500s within the airline's route structure.

Boeing is going head-to-head with Airbus' A320neo family with the re-engined 737 MAX. Both airliner families will extend the production lives of successful types until the manufacturers launch new narrowbodies.

The one-fifth wind tunnel model of the Stratos 714 in the Kirsten Wind Tunnel