Illinois
German Tornados take off after a quick refueling April 15, 2015, at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. German, British and Italian air forces fly the Tornado air-to-ground and air defense fighter. The Tornado first flew on Aug. 14, 1974, and was introduced into service in 1979-1980. Due to its multi-role nature, it was able to replace several different fleets of aircraft in the adopting air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Tristin English)


Darwin, Australia
Taken at RAAF Darwin, the C-5's arrival marks the first part of a new USMC rotational deployment to Darwin, Australia.

A F-22 Raptor takes to the sky at the Gulf Coast Salute open house and air show during a demonstration of air dominance April 11, over Tyndall Air Force Base. The air show and open house featured the Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-22 Raptor demo team and the Army Golden Knights. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alex Echols)

Two U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron take off from a runway during a theater security package deployment at Campia Turzii, Romania, April 14, 2015. The aircraft deployed to Romania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve to bolster air power capabilities while underscoring the U.S. commitment to European security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden/Released)

Commander of the Turkish Air Forces , General Ak?n ?zt?rk flew over new position of the Shah Suleiman Tomb near the Turkish border line In Syria with a 142nd "Ceylan" (Gazelle) Squadron F-16D Block-50 CCIP equipped with TARP (Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod) system...

GULF OF OMAN (April 13, 2015) The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) relieves the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the Gulf of Oman. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner, Jr./Released)

ARABIAN GULF (April 11, 2015) An F/A-18C Hornet attached to the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 makes an arrested recovery during the final flight operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner, Jr./Released)

Naval aviators with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron 1 take to the sky in an EA-6B Prowler during routine training above eastern North Carolina, April 14, 2015. VMAQT-1 student pilots and electronics countermeasures officers train to perform dynamic maneuvers while focusing on communication and radar jamming.




Seen above the Chesapeake: The X-47B successfully engages the refueling drogue of an Omega K-707 tanker yesterday afternoon. Next up: first-ever unmanned aerial refueling


All Nippon Airways Announces 'Star Wars' Project With R2-D2 Painted Jet


LINK- http://worldairlinenews.com/2015/04/16/coming-in-the-fall-ana-to-introduce-a-r2-d2-star-wars-boeing-787-9-dreamliner-logo-jet/

TUCSON, Ariz., April 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA), elected and community leaders joined together today to celebrate the permanent display of one of the original 787-8 Dreamliner flight test airplanes at the Pima Air & Space Museum.

"Boeing has a strong presence in Arizona and is proud to share this important achievement in aviation history with the community, our employees and visitors," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. "The Pima Air & Space Museum is a world-class facility and has been a great partner throughout the years. It's the perfect location to showcase this pioneering airplane."

This particular 787, ZA002, is the second Boeing 787-8 to be produced. The airplane flew for the first time on Dec. 22, 2009, joining what would become a six-airplane flight test and certification program for the 787-8. The primary focus of ZA002 was testing systems performance.

"Aerospace is a cornerstone of Arizona's economy, creating jobs and business opportunities across the state," said Governor Doug Ducey. "Boeing's donation of this state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliner is symbolic of Arizona's rich history and bright future in aerospace, and a strong testament to our commitment to innovation and industry."

The celebration at the Pima Air & Space Museum included the participation of Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, Boeing VP of 787 Engineering Ron Hinderberger and museum Board Chairman Count Ferdinand von Galen.

Coinciding with the 787 induction, the Pima Air & Space Museum also unveiled its new 'Women in Flight' exhibit, commemorating the achievements of female aviators over the past century.

"This is an extremely exciting and monumental time for the museum, the Tucson community and Arizona in general," said Scott Marchand, executive director, Pima Air & Space Museum. "We are honored to be selected by Boeing to be the custodian of such a significant historic next generation aircraft and to be able to display it to the public from the U.S. and around the world."

ZA002 is the second of three flight test 787-8s Boeing plans to share with communities and future generations of employees and airplane enthusiasts.

About the Pima Air & Space Museum
The Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest aviation museums in the world, and the largest non-government funded aviation museum in the United States. The museum maintains a collection of more than 300 aircraft and spacecraft from around the globe?including many rare and one-of-a-kind?and more than 125,000 artifacts. The museum is located at 6000 E. Valencia Road, Tucson, Exit 267 off Interstate 10.

A Luke Air Force Base F-35 stands by to take off as another 61st Fighter Squadron Lightning II soars into the Las Vegas skies April 15, 2015 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Spangler)

A Navy F-35C Lightning II is drogue refueled by a KC-10A during a training mission near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 10, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Kelly)

An Air Force F-35A Lightning II is boom refueled by a KC-10A during a training mission near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., April 10, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Kelly)

Mig-31 modernization. Sokol aviation plant

F-35B After Flutter Testing. Aircraft BF-2 flies a flutter test mission with Paveway IV's near NAS Patuxent River, MD.

New paint job for a Polish F-16C Block 52+, a participant of this year's Tiger Meet which is due to commence on 4th of May in Konya AFB, Turkey.

22 April 2015 Press Release

easyJet and Airbus have celebrated their successful partnership at a ceremony in Hamburg to mark the delivery the airline?s 250th Airbus A320 family aircraft. Carolyn McCall, easyJet CEO, Jean-Paul Ebanga, CFM International President and CEO, Didier Evrard, Airbus EVP and Head of Programmes, and Christopher Buckley, Airbus EVP Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific were present at the event.

To celebrate the 250th delivery, easyJet unveiled its newest A320 with a unique livery featuring 250 miniature aircraft. As with other recent deliveries to easyJet, the A320 is equipped with the latest technology and fuel-saving Sharklets.

Carolyn McCall, CEO of easyJet, commented: ?Taking delivery of our 250th Airbus helps us to continue to make travel easy and affordable and on our journey to become Europe?s leading airline. This milestone symbolizes the long term and successful partnership between Airbus and easyJet. It was only four years ago that we celebrated our 200th aircraft delivery. At that time easyJet then became the world?s youngest airline to reach a fleet of 200 Airbus aircraft also achieving it in the fastest time. easyJet is proud to count Airbus and CFM as such reliable partners.?

easyJet is one of Europe?s leading airline offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe's primary airports, with great value fares and friendly service .

The airline flies 234 aircraft on more than 750 routes to over 130 airports across 33 countries.

easyJet operates Europe?s largest and the world?s fourth largest Airbus single aisle fleet. Since easyJet took delivery of its first Airbus aircraft (an A319) in September 2003, Airbus has delivered an aircraft on average every 16 days since the first delivery

easyJet has 158 aircraft currently on order, and in terms of total aircraft orders is Airbus? third biggest airline customer. Currently easyJet fly a fleet of 85 A320s (180 seats) and 149 A319s (156 seats)

LEMOORE, Calif. (April 14, 2015) Two F-35C Lightning II aircraft fly in formation over the Sierra Nevada mountain range with to two F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore. The flight is part of a six-day visit by the Grim Reapers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101 to NAS Lemoore, the future basing site for the F-35C. The F-35C will complement the capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which currently serves as the Navy's premier strike fighter. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Darin Russell/Released)

The 29(R) Squadron Eurofighter Typhoon (serial ZK349) wears the No. 249 Squadron markings of the Hawker Hurricane flown by Wing Commander Eric James Brindley Nicolson VC DFC, RAF Fighter Command?s only Victoria Cross recipient, during summer 1940.

image courtesy of Gary Parsons
LINK - http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/2015/04/22/battle-of-britain-75-pt-2-commemorative-special-scheme-eurofighter-typhoon-breaks-cover/

The US Navy has achieved the final testing objective of its Northrop Grumman X-47B unmanned combat air vehicle demonstrator programme, following the successful air-to-air (AAR) refuelling of the aircraft on 22 April.

An Omega K-707 tanker transferred some 1,810kg (4,000lb) of fuel using the navy?s probe and drogue refuelling method during the test from NAS Patuxent River in Maryland, which US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) says is the first time a UAV has been refuelled mid-flight.


LINK - http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usn-x-47b-completes-air-to-air-refuelling-test-411524/

Belarus begins receiving Yak-130 trainers from Russia.

LINK - http://www.janes.com/article/50794/belarus-begins-receiving-yak-130-aircraft-from-russia

The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) is to send four of its Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft to participate in the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission from May, national media said on 23 April.

The F-16AM fighters will deploy from their homebase at ?rland to either Siauliai Airbase in Lithuania or Malbork in Poland, from where they will undertake air policing in partnership with three other nations for four months (besides the Norwegian F-16s, it has also been disclosed that four Eurofighter Typhoons of the UK Royal Air Force will be based at Amari Airbase in Estonia for the mission).
LINK - http://www.janes.com/article/50899/norway-to-deploy-f-16s-for-baltic-air-policing

GossHawk Unlimited has just flown the Flugwerk FW-190 they've been working on following an in-depth construction program at their facility in Casa Grande, Arizona.
LINK - https://www.facebook.com/WarbirdsNews/photos/a.488004567927870.105732.488000687928258/1068688393192815/?type=1&theater

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft assigned to the 871st Air Expeditionary Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft over Iceland during the Icelandic Air Surveillance and Policing mission April 22, 2015. Working in tandem with the air refueling capability, the F-15s are able to operate with increased range and mission effectiveness. The IAS mission is a recurring NATO commitment designed to maintain the security of Icelandic airspace by providing a fighter aircraft presence in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chad Warren/Released)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the Royal Norwegian Air Force receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to RAF Mildenhall, England, while participating in the Baltic Region Training Event April 22, 2015, over the Baltic region. The BRTE is focused on enhancing air interoperability and cooperation among NATO and regional partner air forces. (U.S. Air Force photo's by Senior Airman Victoria H. Taylor/Released)


Two F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the Royal Norwegian Air Force fly alongside to the wing of a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to RAF Mildenhall, England, while participating in the Baltic Region Training Event April 22, 2015, over the Baltic region. The BRTE is an advanced training concept that serves to further develop cooperation with NATO allies and partners within the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoria H. Taylor/Released)

Two JAS-39 Gripens assigned to the Swedish Air Force participate in the Baltic Region Training Event April 22, 2015, over the Baltic region. The training event was held to enhance relations between air forces in the region, support air-land-integration, and develop interoperability among allies and with local air traffic control agencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victoria H. Taylor/Released)