A SIMULATOR which is claimed to accuately match the flying characteristics of the world's most popular training helicopter, the R22, has just been approved in the US.Merlin Simulation has received FAA Level 3 Certification for its new R22 VFR/IFR simulator product line. This sophisticated yet affordable Flight Training Device (FTD) represents the next generation in training for helicopter general aviation."Given the quick responsivenes ... more

THERE'S definitely room at the top for more British aerobatic pilots," says Alan Cassidy, LOOP contributor and sole British competitor at the World Advanced Aerobatic Championships, held in Poland over 3-13 August. Alan finished 11th.The event was won by Russian Alexander Kurylev, flying a Sukhoi-29, but he was chased all the way by American Rob Holland flying an Ultimate 10-300 biplane. The Russian and US pilots dominated the event, l ... more

Little Wing autogyro sets five new performance world records FIVE world records for flying a autogyro have been ratified by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI). American Andy Keech, flying a Little Wing LW-5 autogyro nicknamed 'Woodstock', set the records last February but they have only just been approved.The records are all in the Class E (Rotorcraft) category, and were set on 14 February on a flight from North Little Ro ... more

A NEARLY deaf pilot has completed a flight around the world. Swede Johan Hammarström, 28, flew a Diamond DA42 Twin Star from Stockholm 36,358nm to complete the World Flight for Hearing.Johan flew with two friends Henrik Ejderholm and Martin Håkansson. Their aim was to draw attention to hearing impairment and to the technical aids that are available to assist hard of hearing people. It was also the first round-the-world flight by a diesel- ... more

... but definitely not trains! New club for would-be millionairesWANT to enjoy a millionaire lifestyle but missing that vital ingredient, the cash? A brand new club called V-International could be the solution.The latest glass cockpit Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft, Robinson R44 Raven 11 helicopters, exotic performance cars and ocean-going luxury powerboats are part of the fleet of prestige vehicles available to members of the club.V-Intern ... more

Four British girls were crowned World Champions at this summer's World Parachuting Championships held in Gera, Germany. They won the female four-way formation skydiving category. Claire Scott, Julia Foxwell, Emma Beyer and Amanda Kemp, known collectively as 'Team Airkix', took the gold after beating the French team into second place. W: www.bpa.org.uk ... more

SOME of the best male and female helicopter pilots competed in a closely contested display of flying at the British Helicopter Championship, held at Sywell Aerodrome last month.The Championship is organised by the Helicopter Club of Great Britain (HCGB) and sponsored by Haywards Aviation Insurance. There are four separate events -  Navigation, Precision, Slalom and Fender - and three classes, Club, Open and Company.Russell Harrison and ... more

Last-minute reprieve for V-bomber projectTHE Vulcan To The Sky project had a double success last month - a last-minute £500,000 donation headed off closure and the nearly-restored aircraft had its first roll out from its hangar.A crowd of 5000 watched the roll out of RAF Vulcan XH558 at Bruntingthorpe on 31 August, just days after Sir Jack Hayward's donation reversed a decsion to close the project through lack of funds. A team of 32 engine ... more

DORNIER Seawings is reported to be close to securing up to $100 million to relaunch production of the Dornier CD-2 Seastar amphibian, Singapore and Abu Dhabi investors are believed to be putting up the money the seastar is a twin-engine amphibian flight boat for two pilots and twelve passengers.W. www.dornierseastar.de ... more

AUSSIE company Seabird Aviation is trying to crack the US market with its specialist Seeker aircraft - a hybrid with a helicopter-like cockpit and fixed-wing airframe.The two-seat aircraft is designed for low altitude and low speed, with excellent visibility from the largely clear cockpit. It's intended for observation work such as police, border patrol and pipeline inspections.The latest Seeker SB7L-360A, powered by a Lycoming 0-360, is be ... more

British company plans new twin-engine for training and personal flyingA BRAND new low-cost twin-engine four-seat aeroplane is being developed by Wolverhampton-based Aerosport, best-known as the UK distributor for Ikarus C42 and Breezer aircraft."The idea behind the twin is to build a safe, fast and economical four-seat twin for the private and school market," said Simon Duboulay, Managing Director of Aerosport. "The projected ... more

UK round of Red Bull air race cancelled but Brit pilot takes the leadTHOUSANDS of air race fans were left disappointed at the weekend after organisers cancelled the event due to bad weather.The Air Race safety committee made the decision based on continued weather reports of strong winds making it too dangerous to fly. The forecast for race day had always looked bad, despite a great spell of weather during the training and qualification fli ... more