USAF A-10A Thunderbolt II 81-0944 'AK' from the 354th Fighter Wing/355th Fighter Squadron flies near its base at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, on May 29, 2007 whilst participating in Exercise Red Flag Alaska. This was one of the final flights by aircraft of the 355th FS, because as part of the continuing Base Realignment and Closure process, it was announced on May 13, 2005, that the unit will deactivate during Fiscal Year 2007. Most of the unit's A-10As (12 aircraft) will be transferred later this year to Moody AFB, Georgia, to join the 23rd Wing, whilst three others will go to the 917th Wing at Barksdale AFB, Lousiana, and the remaining three will be held in reserve.

Newly rolled out from the paint shop, RAF/4 Squadron Harrier GR.9 ZD410 is seen on the ramp at RAF Cottesmore, Rutland, on June 5, 2007, resplendent in 95th anniversary colours. It is still three months to the actual anniversary, as the squadron was originally formed in September 1912 at Farnborough, Hampshire, flying an assortment of aircraft. The unit deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, over the weekend of June 9-10, taking its turn on Operation Herrick duties.

Departing Twenthe Air Base in the Netherlands for Chile on June 3, 2007 were the last six ex-Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) F-16A/B MLUs destined for the Fuerza Aerea de Chile (FACh - Chilean Air Force). Comprising F-16AMS J-143 (to be 725), J-360 (723), J-619 (728) and J-622 (727) plus F-16BMs J-211 (738) and J-655 (735), these are the last of 18 ex RNLAF aircraft for the FACh. Seen here on the first leg of their journey are F-16AM J-619 and F-16BM J-655. The final six were formally handed-over at Antofagasta Air Base, Chile, on June 8.

The tail of J-211 with 'Mission Accomplished' titles, an F-16 superimposed on Chilean and Dutch flags, plus the arrival dates of each of the three batches of aircraft in Chile.

This giant dragonfly sculpture, built from an old ex-RAF Gazelle helicopter, was positioned on a pole at the Solstice Park business park and leisure centre development close to MOD Boscombe Down, Wiltshire (which can be seen in the background) on May 31, 2007. Hovering behind for comparison is QinetiQ/Empire Test Pilots School Gazelle HT.3 ZB625. The sculpture was made from former Central Flying School Gazelle HT.3 ZA804 'I', which arrived at Boscombe Down on November 29, 2001, after a period of storage at RAF Shawbury, Shropshire, and had until now been in use for spares. Over a period of 14 weeks, apprentices at QinetiQ's Engineering Training Centre at Boscombe stripped out the helicopter, inverted and cranked the tail boom down at an angle, added giant mesh eyes and wings then sprayed it with pearlescent paint. It was officially unveiled by local Salisbury MP Robert Key on June 11.

One of the first two fixed-wing aircraft flying squadrons to be created in the world, the RAF's II (AC) Squadron, is celebrating its 95th anniversary, having been formed on May 13, 1912, at Farnborough, Hampshire, just one month after the Royal Flying Corps itself was created. To mark the event, Tornado GR.4 ZD748, seen here taxiing for take-off from its base at RAF Marham, Norfolk, on June 3, 2007, has had this special scheme applied.

USAF C-17A Globemaster III 99-0169 'AK'/'Spirit of Denali' over the Alaska Range en route to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, on June 11, 2007 to become the first of the type with the 3rd Wing, replacing C-130H Hercules at the base.

Following the acquisition of Agusta A109 Power G-ESLH (c/n 11173) by the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) at MoD Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, earlier this year, the helicopter has now been fully instrumented by Sloane Helicopters at Sywell, Northamptonshire, repainted in full ETPS colours and on May 11, 2007 gained military serial ZE416. The helicopter it replaces, AS 355F1 Twin Squirrel ZJ635, has now been disposed of and was registered as G-WDKR on March 1, 2007, to Cheshire Helicopters Ltd of Wilmslow.

Fort Aero Business Aviation Corp Challenger 850 N168SK seen at Moscow/Vnukovo Airport, Russia, following its take-off crash on February 13, 2007.

Mesaba’s first Northwest Airlink Bombardier CRJ900, N901XJ (c/n 15130), which had been delivered on May 24, 2007, departs Minneapolis/St Paul International Airport, Minnesota, on June 7, operating its first revenue flight, to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft is the first of 36 CRJ900s that Mesaba plan to introduce into service by the end of 2008.

Embraer ERJ-145 5N-BJM (c/n 14500984, ex PT-SKE) 'Wikki Warm Spring' was handed-over at the Sao Jose dos Campos factory on May 31, 2007 to Nigeria's Bauchi State Government, which signed a contract for the aircraft in September 2006 and also has an option on a second aircraft of the same model. The aircraft will be operated on domestic passenger services.

Marshall Aerospace Business Aviation announced on June 1, 2007 that it is in discussions with Directions Finningley CIC to launch the first Integrated National Aviation Skills Academy at Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield International Airport, South Yorkshire. The new state-of-the-art academy will use 'live' aircraft for training and seen here close to the airfield on its arrival on October 29 last year is refurbished former Iberia Boeing 727-256 (c/n 21779), which has since been joined by ex-QinetiQ HS748 XW750. Marshall is considering extending its European Aviation Safety Agency EASA 147 maintenance training approval to the new academy and also thinking about commencing MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) operations at the airport, using the remaining available capacity in the newly refurbished hangars. A decision is anticipated by the summer.

Embraer 170-100 SU-GCT (c/n 17000167), the first of six on order for EgyptAir Express, was handed-over at the Sao Jose dos Campos factory on May 14, 2007. The airline also has options on a further six aircraft.

The tail section and wing of Pakistan Air Force/2 Squadron Chengdu F-7PG 02-681 are pictured after the aircraft crashed on the outskirts of the city of Quetta, near Masroor Air Base, on March 13, 2007.

An overview of the static park at EBACE, showing the wide variety of aircraft on display, ranging from the Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter and veteran Beech 18 in the foreground, plus a TBM850 and Cirrus SR22 to the left, with a whole host of other types behind. The latter include business aircraft products from Airbus, ATG, Boeing, Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, Gulfstream, Piaggio and Sino Swearingen.

Virgin America Airbus A320-214 N629VA (c/n 3037, ex F-WWOG), seen here on April 26, 2007, is one of four now delivered to the airline but stored at the carrier's operational base at San Francisco International Airport, California, awaiting approval for flights.

Boeing released this photograph on June 19, 2007 in Paris of the first 787 Dreamliner under final assembly on the production line in Everett, Washington, on June 4, with the tail section, tailplane and fin the only major sub-assembly component still to be mated. Official roll-out is still currently scheduled for July 8, 2007.

Whilst Linton-on-Ouse celebrates the formation of 76 (Reserve) Squadron, another element of 1 Flying Training School, 72 (Reserve) Squadron, is marking its 90th anniversary with the application of this special colour scheme to Tucano T.1 ZF448 'Basuto'. The unit was formed on July 2, 1917, at Netheravon, Wiltshire.

Former US Airways Express/Piedmont Airlines Bombardier Dash 8 Series 102 N835EX (c/n 289) departs Goderich/Sky Harbour Airport in Ontario, Canada, after repainting by Sky Harbour Aircraft Refinishing in the colours of Austrian operator Austrojet, the operating name of BFS Business Flight Salzburg. The aircraft had previously been stored at North Bay, Ontario, and returned to the Voyageur facility there via Buffalo, New York, after its respray for application of Canadian registration C-FNZM. It was then ferried to Austria on June 13-14, 2007 via Iqualuit, Greenland, Reykjavik, Iceland, and Newcastle, UK, to Salzburg, where it is now locally registered as OE-HWG as the first of the type for Austrojet.

Invicta Aviation, which operates the only two Shorts Skyvans remaining on the UK register, 30-year old G-BEOL and G-PIGY, has recently upgraded the aircraft, fitting new five-bladed propellers to replace the old three-bladed ones, which reduces noise, as the tips are no longer supersonic. The aircraft are mostly leased out to parachute clubs and both are seen here on May 19, 2007 at Langar, Nottinghamshire, where they were temporarily based for the 'Langar Boogie 2007' skydiving event, although it was largely washed out by very poor weather.

Dassault Aviation announced the launch of the new Falcon 2000LX at EBACE on May 21, 2007 and brought along suitably-modified Dassault Falcon 2000EX F-GVNG (c/n 114), fitted with the winglets of the new model for testing, for display in the static park. The aircraft is pictured in France before the show, whilst undergoing tests by Dassault.

Second prototype BAAC BA609 civilian tiltrotor, N609AG (c/n 60002), performs in the flying display at Le Bourget on June 18, 2007. This was the type's public debut as it passes the 200 flying hour mark in the flight test programme.

Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) AS 332 Super Puma 716/F-ZKCB is seen on May 31, 2007 on the first day of a two-day visit to Belgium to undertake rocket firing trials on the Pampa Range. On June 1 the helicopter returned to the Eurocopter factory at Marignane, France, where the manufacturer is nearing completion of a two-year programme to undertake major inspections on all 20 RSNF Super Pumas, at the same time carrying out retrofit and upgrade of the navigation/communication equipment and weapons systems. Eighteen of the helicopters have now been completed at Marignane, whilst work on the remaining two will be undertaken in Saudi Arabia.

Eurocopter displayed this EC 225 at the Show, it being one of two destined for delivery later this year to the Chinese Ministry of Communications for operation on search and rescue duties by the Rescue and Salvage Bureau.

The first RAAF A330MRTT/KC-30B lands at Getafe, Spain, following its maiden flight on June 15, 2007, only three days after completion of its tanker modifications.

Japan's indigenously developed Kawasaki C-X transport (photo) and P-X maritime patrol aircraft have now been completed and first flights are expected around August 2007.

Japan's indigenously developed Kawasaki C-X transport and P-X maritime patrol aircraft (photo) have now been completed and first flights are expected around August 2007.

Trustair Sikorsky S-76B M-ONTY (c/n 76-0356, ex G-BWDO), seen here on May 22, 2007 at Ronaldsway, was registered on May 15 and is the fourth aircraft and first helicopter to be allocated the new Isle of Man registration marks. The new Manx aircraft register was officially launched on May 1 and has already attracted considerable interest.

Embraer’s first Phenom 100 very light jet seen following roll out at Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, on June 16, 2007.

Eurocopter EC635 D-HECM (c/n 0529), the first of the type for the Swiss Air Force, undertakes its first flight from the manufacturer's Donauworth facility in Germany on May 23, 2007.

Still wearing its former Commutair/Continental Connection colours, but with titles removed, Beechcraft 1900D N862CA (c/n UE-180) taxies out for departure from Southend Airport, Essex, on May 15, 2007 on its delivery flight to Nepal. The aircraft had left Greater Rockford, Illinois, on June 13, routing via Keflavik, Iceland, before departing the next day to Goose Bay, Newfoundland, and on to Southend. It then flew to Malta, leaving there on May 16 for Luxor, Egypt, and then on to its final destination. Its new operator is unknown, but it may well be an additional aircraft for Kathmandu-based Buddha Air, which already operates four Beech 1900Ds and two 1900C-1s.

AgustaWestland officially delivered the 100th AW139 when it was handed-over to Synergy Aerospace in a ceremony in the static park at Le Bourget on June 18, 2007. It is seen here on June 12, prior to arrival at the Show, following which it was due to be delivered to Brazil to enter service with Senior Taxi Aereo for use in the offshore transport role.

On display in the static park at Le Bourget was Reims Cessna F406 Vigilant V5-FMR 'Sea Eagle II', which is to become the second of the type with Namibia's Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for Fisheries Patrol duties, based at Arandis Airport.

Sino Swearingen SJ30-2 N901HB (c/n 006), the first customer-delivered aircraft, was flown from Texas to Geneva personally by Hamish Harding, who is the Chairman of Action Aviation, in order to appear in the static display at EBACE. Action Aviation is the distributor for the type in 66 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, India and Russia. This aircraft was recently delivered to the Jaffe family of Texas, who own the famous Horseshoe Bay lakeside resort in Texas.

GA-ASI Sky Warrior unmanned air vehicle (UAV) prototype N20321 (c/n WA-001) undertakes its maiden flight on June 6, 2007 from the company flight operations facility at El Mirage in Adelanto, California.

Hawker Beechcraft displayed the sixth Hawker 4000, N15QS (c/n RC-6), at EBACE in NetJets colours. NetJets had previously ordered 50 of the type for its US fleet and placed an order at the show for a further 32 for its European operation, NetJets Europe.

Seen here during a sortie on May 30, 2007 is Sentinel R.1 ZJ690, the first of the type to enter service with the RAF's 5 (AC) Squadron at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire.

Former Northwest Airlines Airbus A319-114 VP-BTT (c/n 1167, ex N312NB) is one of four ex-Northwest aircraft acquired by Russia's Rossiya Airlines, to which it had only been delivered in January 2007. Marking its first visit outside Russia, as it is largely used for domestic flights, the aircraft arrived at Southend Airport, Essex, from Pulkovo Saint Petersberg Airport, Russia, on June 1 for maintenance by ATC Lasham Ltd, following which it is seen here departing on June 16. A second aircraft, VP-BTQ (c/n 1149), arrived at Southend on June 6 after painting in Rossiya colours at Maastricht in the Netherlands for pre-delivery work by ATC Lasham, which is also to undertake similar work on the remaining two, VP-BTO (c/n 1129, ex N308NB), currently stored in Montreal, Canada, and VP-BTS (c/n 1164, ex N311NB), presently also in Canada, at Winnipeg. Rossiya plans to take delivery of six A319s this year as Tu-154 replacements, whilst also planning medium and long-haul flights with Boeing 767s from 2008. The airline, which recently merged with Pulkovo Airlines, also now has five Boeing 737-500s in its fleet.

Adam Air Boeing 737-33A PK-KKV seen at Surabaya-Juanda Airport, Indonesia, after its hard landing, which broke the rear fuselage.

Bombardier Dash 8-402 LX-LGA (c/n 4159, ex C-FLKX) departs Toronto/Pearson International Airport, Canada, on May 30, 2007 on its delivery flight to Luxair. Wearing a brand new colour scheme, the aircraft is the first of three on order and entered service on June 11 on the Luxembourg to Frankfurt route.

Lion Air Boeing 737-9GPER PK-LFH (c/n 35710), the third of the type for the Indonesian carrier, was delivered on June 12, 2007 and is the first in the airline's full scheme, the first two having had Boeing colours on the fuselage.

Icelandic charter operator JetX took delivery in Seattle, Washington, on May 11, 2007 of brand new Boeing 737-8Q8 TF-JXE (c/n 30722), which is on a six-year lease from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). The first new 737-800 to be delivered to the airline, it is one of a fleet of the type that will be operated on behalf of the Primera Travel Group, the largest tour operator in Iceland.

Irish regional airline Aer Arann took delivery of its first 72-seat ATR 72-500, EI-REL (c/n 748, ex F-WWEI) seen here, on May 25, 2007 at the Toulouse factory in France. It was ferried to the airline's base at Dublin on the same day and wears a one-off special Celtic colour scheme. Aer Arann ordered a total of ten ATR 72-500s in a contract signed on May 15, 2006 and will take delivery of the second of these later this year. The next five will join the airline in 2008, followed by the final three in 2009. The airline currently operates a fleet of 14 ATR 42s and ATR 72s, but this is the first ATR 72-500 to join the carrier.