Pilot Magazine

28/10/2025

🛩️ PISTONS, PASSENGERS AND PAYLOADS – The Golden Age of British Air Transport

Step back into the remarkable era when Britain’s piston-engine aircraft carried a nation — and its ambitions — across the skies.

From the end of the Great War to the dawn of the jet age, Pistons, Passengers and Payloads charts the development of British commercial and passenger aircraft during one of aviation’s most transformative periods.

Author Roger Staker reveals the story of 17 pioneering manufacturers whose designs shaped global air travel — through innovation, adversity, and the constant pursuit of progress.

✈️ The rise, fall, and merger of Britain’s early air transport companies
⚙️ How wartime innovation accelerated civilian aviation
📷 Featuring many previously unseen photographs
📚 A detailed chronicle of an often-overlooked chapter in British aviation history

⚠️ Limited print run – pre-order now to secure your copy before release.
Expected delivery: 30 November 2025

📘 Pistons, Passengers and Payloads — a captivating tribute to the machines and minds that paved the way for modern air travel.

👉 Pre-order today: https://shop.keypublishing.com/products/pistons-passengers-and-payloads?utm_source=Facebook

ISBN: 978 1 83632 139 2 | Paperback | 128 pages

28/10/2025

🚀 MACH BUSTERS – The Untold Story of Those Who Broke the Limits of Speed

Introducing Mach Busters — a breathtaking tribute to the pilots who broke every barrier of speed and courage.

From Group Captain “Willie” Wilson’s trailblazing 1945 flight in the Gloster Meteor F.4 to Major General Eldon Joersz’s record-shattering 2,193 mph run in the SR-71 Blackbird, Mach Busters chronicles the lives of 21 extraordinary aviators who dared to redefine the limits of flight.

Written by Bart Vandamme, this definitive 512-page hardback combines meticulous research, first-hand accounts, and over 450 rare and unpublished photographs to bring the golden age of speed to life.

✨ Each record officially documented by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)
🔥 An epic journey through the Cold War race for supremacy in the sky

📘 Mach Busters is a powerful celebration of the courage, skill, and spirit of those who flew faster than fear itself.

⚠️ Only 400 copies will be printed — once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Don’t miss your chance to own this limited-edition volume — a collector’s piece for aviation and military history enthusiasts alike.

👉 Secure your copy now: https://shop.keypublishing.com/products/mach-busters?utm_source=Facebook

ISBN: 978 1 83632 121 7

27/10/2025

🚀 Celebrating 60 Years of US Naval Aviation Excellence

US NAVAIR – Naval Air Systems Command: 60th Anniversary

For six decades, the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has stood at the forefront of innovation, engineering, and operational excellence — supporting the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) and ensuring that the US Navy remains at the tip of the spear.

📘 This special 116-page anniversary volume charts NAVAIR’s incredible evolution — from its establishment in 1966 as the successor to the Bureau of Naval Weapons to its modern-day role as the Navy’s principal aviation systems provider.

🌍 Headquartered in Lexington Park, Maryland, and operating across eight major US locations and one overseas, NAVAIR continues to advance the future of naval air power.

🔍 Inside this commemorative edition:

A deep dive into NAVAIR’s six-decade legacy

Profiles of key bases, centres, squadrons, and aircraft

Rare archival insights and stunning imagery

📦 Expected Delivery: 20th November 2025
💷 Price: £9.99
🛒 Pre-order now: shop.keypublishing.com/products/us-navair-naval-air-systems-command-60th-anniversary?utm_source=Facebook

21/10/2025

GASCO highlights fuel sampling issues
Read the whole article here:

Besides the traditional and always educational ‘Preflight challenge’, the General Aviation Safety Council (GASCo) provided a very insightful fuel sampling demo at its LAA Rally stand in late August. “The idea came from a recent accident in which a Rockwell Commander had an engine failure after...

18/10/2025

Air League honours Alex Whittingham
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The Air League’s President Sir Chris Harper (right) presented Alex with his award The Air League has honoured Alex Whittingham, the owner of Bristol Groundschool, with its highest accolade, the Founder’s Medal. The award recognises individuals who have left a transformative and lasting legacy in...

10/10/2025

📚 Don’t Miss Our Amazing Book Deal! 📚

For a limited time only, when you buy any two books, you’ll get a third one absolutely FREE! 🤩

With hundreds of titles to choose from — Rail, Aviation, Military, and so much more — it’s the perfect chance to:
✨ Mix and match your favourites
📖 Discover new genres
🔁 Revisit timeless classics

🎉 Stock up on stories you love and uncover new ones today!

👉 Shop the offer now: https://shop.keypublishing.com/collections/sale-buy-3-get-1-free?utm_source=Facebook

09/10/2025

The latest issue of Pilot Magazine is out NOW!! 🛬 😀

Here's a sneak-peak... 👇

SKYLEADER 400
Beautiful, fine-handling microlight perfect for training or touring

(ALMOST REAL) AVRO LANCASTER
Flying the WWII bomber in an immersive sim experience that takes you back to the 1940s

BUYING? OUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CHOOSING A USED AIRCRAFT
Tips and advice for first-time buyers from owners and dealers

CAA LICENSING CHANGES
Our comprehensive guide

Buy direct from Key Publishing - it's cheaper and postage is FREE! 😀 👍

https://shop.keypublishing.com/products/pilot-magazine-november-2025?utm_source=Facebook

08/10/2025

Skyborne to provide Ryanair Future Flyer programme
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PHOTO: BOEING Skyborne Airline Academy has announced it has been selected as the UK trainer partner for Ryanair’s Future Flyer Academy programme, delivering both UK CAA and EASA licence training. Trainees on the Ryanair Future Flyer programme will receive a conditional job offer upon enrolment and...

04/10/2025

Piper announces largest ever US deal
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The contract includes an initial order for 145 aircraft, consisting of both Archers and Seminoles Piper Aircraft and the University of North Dakota’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences (UND Aerospace) have signed Piper’s largest ever domestic order for training aircraft. The deal is va...

03/10/2025

✈️ Aviation Mystery Book Bundle - from Key Publishing✈️

What’s inside? That’s the surprise. 👀

What you can be sure of:
✅ Just £50
✅ Over £150 worth of aviation books
✅ 10 titles
✅ A saving of 67%

From legendary WWII aircraft and daring aviators, to modern fighters, bombers, transports – even secret projects and experimental designs – discover the very best of aviation history, delivered straight to your door. 📚 Get one whilst stock last!

👉 Don’t miss out: https://shop.keypublishing.com/products/aviation-surprise-box?

11/09/2025

NEW ISSUE OUT NOW! The latest issue of Pilot is on sale now.

Featuring:
✔️LITTLE GRAND TOURER
We take a first look at the Pipistrel Explorer. This mini Grand Tourer offers a great pilot’s view, high cruising speed and an airliner-style digital cockpit that makes navigation easy

✔️NORTH CAPE ADVENTURE
Flying through Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway in a 65hp Jodel!

✔️SOLO IN A WWI REPLICA
Stretching your comfort zone flying a single seater

Get your copy of the October 2025 issue today at newsagents, supermarkets, WHSmiths or direct from the Key Publishing Shop at a reduced price and with FREE postage! https://shop.keypublishing.com/products/pilot-magazine-october-2025?utm_source=Facebook

10/09/2025

Skyfly Axe goes cross-country
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PHOTO: SKYFLY – The Axe prototype flew from Turweston to Bicester and back Skyfly Technologies recently announced the successful completion of the first airfield-to-airfield flight of a fully electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Europe. Pilot for the landmark flight was Skyfl...