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The Blackburn B-24 Skua was a carrier-based low-wing, two-seater, single-radial engine aircraft by the British aviation company Blackburn Aircraft. It was the first Royal Navy carrier-borne all-metal cantilever monoplane aircraft, as well as the first dive bomber in Fleet Air Arm (FAA) service. The aircraft took its name from the sea bird which 'divebombs' any potential predators that come too close to its nest. The Skua was designed during the mid-1930s to Specification O.27/34, and was a radical design for the era, combining the functions of a dive bomber and fighter. Its enclosed cockpit and monoplane configuration were obvious shifts from preceding FAA aircraft such as the Hawker Nimrod and Hawker Osprey biplanes. On 9 February 1937, the first prototype performed its maiden flight; it was ordered straight off the drawing board to accelerate its development. In November 1938, the Skua was introduced to FAA service; 33 aircraft were operational by the outbreak of the Second World War. During the early half of the conflict, the Skua was heavily involved in the Norwegian campaign and sank the German cruiser Königsberg, the first major warship sunk in war by air attack and by dive-bombers. It was present during the Battles of Narvik, the Dunkirk evacuation and also the early stages of the Mediterranean theatre. While a capable dive bomber, its poor top speed and rate of climb meant it was severely limited as a fighter aircraft. Despite this, Fleet Air Arm pilots achieved moderate success with the Skua, scoring numerous aerial victories during the Norwegian and Mediterranean campaigns, with at least one pilot making ace status with five victories. In 1941, the Skua was relegated from frontline operations, but continued to be operated in secondary roles, typically training and target tug duties, as late as March 1945. The Blackburn Skua was configured as a low-wing cantilever monoplane of all-metal construction Its fuselage drew on the design of the Blackburn Shark, an earlier biplane, making extensive use of flush-riveted Alclad. It was internally divided into two water-tight compartments beneath the pilot's and gunner's cockpits to provide sufficient buoyancy in the event of a forcing landing at sea For the same reason, the crew compartments were also watertight up to the edges of the cockpit. The fuselage was stressed to withstand catapult-assisted takeoffs and arrested landings aboard aircraft carriers; a hydraulic damping device was incorporated in the hook. The mainplane, both the structure and covering of which was also composed of Alclad, was built as three separate units. The twin-spar heavy centre section was bolted beneath the fuselage to form the bottom of the watertight compartment. The outer wing panels, which tapered in both plan and thickness, ended in detachable upswept tips and were sealed between the main spars to form additional watertight compartments. Recesses in the lower surface of the wing accommodated modified Zap flaps that were used to shorten takeoff runs, steepen glides, and limit the aircraft's speed during steep dives. Balanced ailerons were fitted, which used inset hinges with mass balance assistance. The number built was 192. For many more details, click here.

The Bilsam Sky Cruiser is a Polish microlight aircraft designed and produced by Bilsam Aviation of Poznań, introduced in the early 2000s. The aircraft is supplied as a complete ready-to-fly-aircraft, as a kit and in the form of plans for amateur construction. The manufacturer's website is non-functional and has been so since about 2008, so it is not clear if the company is still in business. The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight category, including the category's maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 450 kg (992 lb). With a Rotax 912 ULS engine it is an accepted US light sport aircraft and also a Transport Canada accepted Advanced Ultra-Light Aeroplane. Originally shown as a pusher configuration design in 2003, by 2004 the aircraft had been redesigned. In its production configuration the Sky Cruiser features a cantilever high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cabin with doors for access, fixed tricycle landing gear with wheel pants and a single engine in tractor configuration. The aircraft is made from composite material. Its 9.0 m (29.5 ft) span wing mounts flaps and has a wing area of 10.35 m2 (111.4 sq ft). The standard engine used is the 100 hp (75 kW) Suzuki automotive conversion powerplant. The aircraft has a typical empty weight of 250 kg (550 lb) and a gross weight of 450 kg (990 lb), giving a useful load of 200 kg (440 lb). With full fuel of 60 litres (13 imp gal; 16 US gal) the payload for pilot, passenger and baggage is 157 kg (346 lb). The Sky Cruiser was redesigned by BOT Aircraft as the BOT SC07 Speed Cruiser.

The Aero-Service Panda is a Polish ultralight, designed and produced by Aero-Service Jacek Skopiński of Warsaw. The aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly. The Panda was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. It features a cantilever high-wing, a T-tail, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cabin, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. The aircraft is made from sheet aluminum, with some parts, such as the engine cowling and wing tips made from composites. Its 8.91 m (29.2 ft) span wing employs a modified NACA 633-618 airfoil, has an area of 10.6 sq m (114 sq ft) and flaps. The cabin width is 120 cm (47 in). The Panda prototype was first flown on 28 September 2011. Reviewer Marino Boric described the design in a 2015 review as possessing visibility that "is good in all directions because of very large glassed surfaces". He also noted that it is "sold at a reasonable price". Variants Panda Standard (Specifications below) Base model powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL four-stroke powerplant.[1] Panda Sport Model powered by a 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS four-stroke powerplant.[1] Panda Exclusive Model powered by a 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS four-stroke powerplant plus with a Dynon glass cockpit and other options as standard.

The Avicopter AC313 (also known as the Changhe Z-8F-100) is a civilian helicopter built by Avicopter (AVIC Helicopter Company). It is a development of the earlier Harbin Z-8, itself a locally produced version of the Aerospatiale Super Frelon. The AC313 is an updated design based on the earlier Harbin Z-8, itself a development of the Aérospatiale Super Frelon. The prototype first flew at Jingdezhen, Jiangxi on 18 March 2010. It is designed to carry 18 passengers, has a reported maximum range of 1,050 kilometres, and a maximum takeoff weight of 13 tonnes. It is equipped with three Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-67A engines, the AC313 is a single-rotor helicopter with tail rotors, side-by-side pilot seating, and a non-retractable landing gear. Although based on a 1960s design, the AC313 has been developed to use composite materials for the rotor blade and titanium main rotor. Composite materials are used on 50% of the helicopter and titanium is used for the remainder. The interior comes equipped with a modern integrated digital avionics system and has a cabin height of 1.83 m and 23.5 m3 in space. Designed to carry 27 passengers and two crew in the transport role, it has also been designed to be used for VIP transport, medical evacuations, and for search and rescue operations. In terms of cargo, it can carry up to 4 tonne internally or 5 tonnes on a sling. AC313 is equipped with electronic flight instrument system. The AC313 is only the second helicopter to be able to operate in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, first being Sikorsky S-70C Black Hawk. The flight testing period for the 13-tonne AC313 was conducted in Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia, starting in January where it was tested to operate in extremely low temperatures as low as minus 46C marking the scope of Asia's largest tonnage helicopter meeting the mission requirements of the cold climate and the Earth's polar regions. The helicopter also set its speed record of 336 km per hour during the testing period. The AC313 became the first China-made aircraft authorized by China's civil aviation authority in January to fly in high-altitude regions of over 4,500 meters above the sea level. The AC313 has recently received a Type Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Following Chinese certification, the first five AC313 are to be delivered to Flying Dragon Special Aviation, in 2011, but no aircraft have been delivered yet. Avicopter has plans to certify the AC313 for sales in Europe and the United States. Xu Chaoliang, the chief designer of the helicopter, said the company has so far received 32 orders from national and international customers. Equipped with advanced instrument landing system, the helicopter can be used for disaster relief even in blizzard weather in plateau regions. CAIH, a wholly owned subsidiary of the China Aviation Industry Corp, is expected to produce 300 helicopters annually by 2015, making it one of the major helicopter suppliers in the world. Headquartered in Tianjin, the company is mainly engaged in the research and development, production, maintenance and sales of helicopters and other aircraft and aviation components. Variants AC313 Commercial helicopter model derived from Changhe Z-8F. AC313A Improved AC313 with significant structural redesign, with enlarged internal load area similar to that of Changhe Z-8L. Maiden flight on 17 May 2022.

The AgustaWestland AW149 is a medium-lift multi-role military helicopter developed by AgustaWestland, now Leonardo, launched in 2006 and had its first flight in 2009. By 2014 it had received military flight certification, and it went on to enter production going into military service with Egypt and Thailand. It is also planned for Poland with a new PZL-Swidnik production line there that opened in 2024, and North Macedonia has a pending order. The aircraft the only contender for the British NMH procurement program in the 2020s. The AW149 began life as an all-new, military design. [1] It was unveiled at the 2006 Farnborough Air Show, with a larger fuselage and more powerful engines compared to the AW139, resulting in a greater cargo volume and payload carrying ability. On 13 November 2009, the first prototype conducted its first flight from AgustaWestland's Vergiate manufacturing facility in northern Italy. On 26 February 2011, the second prototype, the first with production model engines, made its first flight from Vergiate. On 20 June 2011 AgustaWestland announced the AW189, a civilian development of the AW149, for service in 2013. For operational history and operators, click here.

The Aero East Europe Sila (English: force, power or strength and also short for Serbian industry light aircraft) is a family of Serbian ultralight and light aircraft, designed and produced by Aero East Europe of Kraljevo and later of Jagodina, introduced at the AERO Friedrichshafen show in 2013. The design is supplied complete and ready-to-fly. The Sila 450 C was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules, while the larger aircraft in the family fit into the EASA CS-VLA category. All feature a V-strut-braced high-wing, an enclosed cabin, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. Reviewer Marino Boric described the design in a 2015 review as "very robust". Variants Sila 450 C (Specifications below) Two seat "Cruiser" model, with a semi-monocoque structure made from aluminium sheet and a maximum take-off weight of 450 kg (990 lb). Its 9.4 m (30.8 ft) span wing employs a NACA 5417 airfoil, has an area of 11.94 m2 (128.5 sq ft) and flaps. Standard engines available are the 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL, 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS and the 115 hp (86 kW) Rotax 914 four-stroke powerplants. German LTF-UL and Serbian ultralight certified. Sila 750 C Two seat "Cruiser" model, with a semi-monocoque structure made from aluminium sheet and a maximum take-off weight of 750 kg (1,650 lb). Its 9.47 m (31.1 ft) span wing employs a NACA 5417 airfoil, has an area of 11.94 m2 (128.5 sq ft) and flaps. Standard engines available are the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS, the 115 hp (86 kW) Rotax 914 and the 160 hp (119 kW) Lycoming O-320 four-stroke powerplants. The aircraft is undergoing EASA CS-VLA and Serbian certification. Sila 750 S Two seat STOL model with full-span Junkers flaperons and a maximum take-off weight of 750 kg (1,650 lb). Sila 750 MT Three seat Medical Transport model, with a semi-monocoque structure made from aluminium sheet and steel tubing and a maximum take-off weight of 750 kg (1,650 lb). Its 10 m (32.8 ft) span wing employs a NACA 65-018 airfoil, full-span Junkers flaperons, has an area of 14.30 m2 (153.9 sq ft). Standard engines available are the 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912ULS, the 115 hp (86 kW) Rotax 914 and the 160 hp (119 kW) Lycoming O-320 four-stroke powerplants. The aircraft is undergoing EASA VLA and Serbian certification. Sila 950 Four seat model, with a maximum take-off weight of 950 kg (2,090 lb). Standard engines available are the 115 hp (86 kW) Rotax 914 and the 160 hp (119 kW) Lycoming O-320 four-stroke powerplants. The aircraft is no longer advertised on the company website.

The AAC SeaStar is an amphibious biplane that was produced in kitplane form. The aircraft is built largely of composite materials and features wings that may be easily removed for transport, and a ballistic recovery system in the form of a parachute that can be deployed from the engine nacelle. AAC also marketed a Super Pétrel model in 2011. This aircraft should not be confused with another composite-built small flying boat with the same name, the SeaStar Aircraft SeaStar.

The Howland H-3 Pegasus is an American ultralight aircraft that was designed by Bert Howland and made available by Howland Aero Design in the form of plans for amateur construction, with kits provided by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. The H-3 first flew in 1988. The aircraft is a monoplane derivation of the biplane H-2 Honey Bee and was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 252 lb (114 kg), when equipped with the now-out of production Rotax 277 single cylinder engine. If equipped with heavier engines it falls into the Experimental - Amateur-built category in its home country, although still qualifies as an ultralight in other countries, such as Canada. The H-3 features a cantilever low-wing, a single-seat, open cockpit, conventional landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. The aircraft is made from wood and aluminium and covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. The fuselage is made from square aluminum tubing that is TIG welded and weighs 18 lb (8 kg) when completed. Its 25 ft (7.6 m) span wing is of a straight planform. The landing gear is conventional, with suspended main wheels and a steerable tailwheel. The cockpit is of an open design, with a small windshield. Controls are conventional three-axis, with ailerons, rudder and elevator. Since the death of the designer plans have been intermittently available and were last provided by Classic Aero Enterprises. Aircraft Spruce and Specialty continue to provide raw materials kits. The aircraft has an acceptable power range of 28 to 55 hp (21 to 41 kW). The use of the 28 hp (21 kW) Rotax 277, or the similar weight and power Hirth F-33, allows the aircraft to fit into the US ultralight category if weight is carefully controlled during construction. However the H-3 is underpowered with this engine and most have been equipped with heavier engines of higher output, such as the 40 hp (30 kW) Rotax 447 or the 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503. The 30 hp (22 kW) Hirth F-263 and 53 hp (40 kW) Hirth 2704 have also been used. he H-3 won The Most Innovative Ultralight at Sun 'n Fun in 1989 and Best Commercial Ultralight at Sun 'n Fun 1990.

The Airbus C295 (previously CASA C-295) is a medium tactical transport aircraft that was designed and initially manufactured by the Spanish aerospace company CASA, which is now part of the European multinational Airbus Defence and Space division. Work on what would become the C-295 was started during the 1990s as a derivative of the successful CASA/IPTN CN-235 transport aircraft. On 28 November 1997, the prototype performed its maiden flight; quantity production commenced shortly thereafter. In April 1999, the Spanish Air Force became its launch customer with an order for nine military-configured C-295s; two years later, the type was declared operational with the service. Further orders for the C-295 would promptly follow. Following the incorporation of CASA into the pan-European aeronautical group EADS in 2000, it was redesignated as the EADS CASA C-295. EADS rebranded itself as Airbus in 2015. Both manufacturing and final assembly of the C-295 is normally performed at the Airbus Defence and Space facilities in San Pablo Airport, located in Seville, Spain. Additional manufacturing arrangements have been agreed with some customers. Since 2011, Indonesian Aerospace has produced the CN-295 under license at their facilities in Bandung, Indonesia, via an industrial collaboration with Airbus Defence & Space. During 2021, it was agreed that, as a part of a larger purchase, a batch of 40 C-295s for the Indian Air Force would be license-manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems. The aircraft will be manufactured in TASL's Vadodara facility in Gujarat, India. As a part of further order for the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, the facility will also process delivery of 12 more aircraft for Maritime Patrol roles. Beyond its use as a tactical transporter, the C-295 is capable of performing a wide variety of missions effectively. These include parachute and cargo dropping, electronic signals intelligence (ELINT), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and maritime patrol. Some of the equipment for adapting the aircraft to performing various roles has been mounted onto pallets, allowing for its rapid installation and removal. For more detai;s, including development, operational history and 11 variants, click here.

The Team Tango Foxtrot, or Foxtrot 4, is an American amateur-built aircraft, designed and produced by Team Tango of Williston, Florida. The aircraft is supplied as a kit for amateur construction, with or without factory builder assistance. The Foxtrot was developed as a four-seat version of the Tango 2 and shares many of the two-seater's features. The Foxtrot has a cantilever low-wing, a four-seat enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. The rear seats have limited visibility. The aircraft is made from composites. Its 32 ft (9.8 m) span wing employs a NACA 64-415 airfoil, has an area of 128 sq ft (11.9 m2) and mounts flaps. The engines recommended are Lycoming Engines of 200 to 350 hp (149 to 261 kW). A development of the Foxtrot was the Foxtrot XR, an extended range variant, this aircraft having a fuel capacity of up to 833 litres (184 Imp gals), a useful load of between 726 kg and 1,043 kg (1,600 lb and 2,300 lb), and the ability to fly up to 3,701 km (2,300 miles) with two persons on board with their luggage, having a maximum take-off weight of up to 1,905 kg (4,200 lb).

The Aerosport Rail is an American minimalist ultralight aircraft, designed by Harris Woods and built by Aerosport Inc. The aircraft was first flown on 14 November 1970. Included in this category due to the dual engines. The Rail is little more than a 2 by 5 inch squared aluminium tube (rail) with all-metal wings and a T-tail. The pilot sits on the tube, just ahead of and above the wings. Two small two-cycle engines derated to 25 hp (19 kW) are mounted on struts behind the seat on either side of centerline, driving pusher propellers. Individual 4 U.S. gallons (15 L; 3.3 imp gal) fiberglass fuel tanks are mounted in front of each engine. About 175 sets of plans were sold between 1970 and 1977. The follow-on design, the Aerosport Quail uses the Rail's wing design for an enclosed tractor configuration homebuilt aircraft.