KEMBLE-BASED advanced training provider Ultimate High is looking for a full-time person to join the team from May to September 2006 to assist with scheduling. The position would suit someone with a strong interest in aviation, looking to gain valuable flying experience. A good sense of humour and strong interpersonal skills are a must. T: 01243 576137; E: mark@ultimatehigh.co.uk ... more

VIRGIN Atlantic pilots will have the opportunity to be seconded to Virgin Galactic and trained as fully fledged astronaut pilots flying space tourists on SpaceShipTwo from 2008/9 onwards. Any of Virgin Atlantic's 700 pilots can apply for the scheme which will involve a 27 month secondment to Virgin Galactic, where they will receive all the necessary training to make their flying skills out of this world. W: www.virgingalactic.com ... more

GAMA AVIATION, based at Farnborough, has acquired two new Beechcraft King Air B200Cs, to operate on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service. Launched at the start of last month, the aeromedical service is based at the Signature Flight Support's facility at Edinburgh Airport and will serve Scotland's Highlands and Islands. ... more

SILVERJET, the latest budget business class carrier to surface, will be based at London Luton Airport. The operator plans to run a twice-daily service between Luton and Newark, New Jersey, within the next nine months. The carrier will be competing with US start-ups Maxjet and Eos, which both began flying from Stansted in September. With prices starting at £999, the service is cheaper than the Club Class service from market leader, Britis ... more

THE world's largest commercial airliner, the 555 seat Airbus A380, will make its British debut when it flies into London Airport on 18 May. The aircraft, powered by four Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines, will be parked at Heathrow's new Pier 6 at Terminal 3. ... more

THE Royal Aeronautical Society conference, which takes place in London on 7 June, will focus on the future of passenger flights into space. Speakers will present perspectives on the evolution of the private spaceflight industry over the next decade, with the goal of stimulating enthusiasm for the creation of a profitable industry and affordable space travel for a mass global market. For a full programme and registration details, visit www ... more

THE Harrier jumpjet has set a new world record for the total weight carried by an aircraft when launched from an aircraft carrier.Sounds a bit esoteric, but the extra weight "vastly improves the capability of Harrier Squadrons at sea". It will give Harrier squadrons an increased maritime ground attack capability.The record was carried out with a GR7A on board HMS Illustrious. In total 12 sorties were carried out over a 12-day peri ... more

BOMBARDIER'S new Learjet 60 XR had its maiden flight on 4 April. "The aircraft combines one of the most advanced flight decks in corporate aviation with the superior performance and speed of the legendary Learjet family," said the Canadian company. The 60 XR had a two hours 20 minute flight from Cedar Rapids airport in Iowa, US. It achieved a maximum first flight altitude of 17,500 feet a true air speed of 310kt. The flight was de ... more

INTEREST-free loans and other forms of finance are being made available for private pilots for PPL training and associated ratings.Cabair flying schools, based around London's M25, and Hitachi Capital Consumer Finance have developed the finance packages. They are an attempt to draw new blood into General Aviation, and thought to be the first time such a scheme has been available to private pilots. Similar schemes exist for student commerc ... more

PRODUCTION of the Fascination series of microlights and VLA (Very Light Aircraft) looks like it will restart soon. A new company, Swiss Light Aircraft, located in Muri near Bern, has taken over all type rights after W D Aircraft went bankrupt. SLA will be supported by the development company AD&C, the partner in charge of EASA certification of the Fascination VLA. North Weald-based Hutton Aviation is the UK and Ireland agent. W: www.hut ... more

WHAT do a pilot who averted a serious accident after an in-flight medical emergency, a pilot who ditched in the sea to avoid a populated area after engine failure, and a flying instructor who took decisive action after one of his students became lost, have in common?Answer: they are finalists in the CAA's General Aviation Safety Awards 2005.In June 2005, Neil France accompanied a friend, a pilot, on a local flight from Derby Airfield. Not ... more

MOONEY launched its fastest-ever aeroplane last month, the M20 TN Acclaim. Powered by a 280hp Continental TS10-540 with twin turbochargers and with a three-blade Hartzell prop, the Acclaim will cruise at a true air speed of 230kt at its ceiling of 25,000ft. At 10,000ft, it will exceed 200kt, says the Texas-based company.The Acclaim will replace the Bravo in Mooney range when deliveries start towards the end of this year. List price is $495, ... more

CIRRUS astonished press at FLY! The London Air Show with the announcement that the US company is definitely going to develop and produce a jet version of its best-selling SR22."We can confirm that we will be going ahead with a personal jet," said John Bingham, vice-president of sales & marketing worldwide. "It will be the style and have the same safety focus as our piston aircraft. It will be a different plane but delib ... more

A PACKED schedule of flight tests immediately followed Diamond's successful maiden flight of its all-new personal jet, the D-JET, on 18 April.Within days the aircraft racked up additional flight to expand the speed envelope and handling characteristics. Diamond Chief Exec, Christian Dries, of the Austrian family which owns the company, personally flew the D-JET on one 53-minute flight.The prototype aircraft was built and flown from Diamon ... more