Flyer Magazine

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

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!

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

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