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BluFly 🛩
@blufly.media
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A humans-in-the-loop feed for the aviation community. If made by people and flying between the surface and the Kármán Line you'll find it on BluFly. Read the current issue at https://blufly.media/2025/11. (📸 ©2024 Cheryl Goodwin | Good 2 Go Photography)
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blufly.media
A fascinating and moving short story by author and L-19 pilot Landon Thorne, AKA « The Lowcountry Writer », about this interesting little piece of history at Savannah International Airport. Can't wait to hear more aviation-oriented stories from this talented writer. | 🛩️ 📍 🇺🇸 🥇
A Grave Situation - Lowcountry Writer
Most people don't know that there is a grave buried directly underneath the airport runway at Savannah International.
lowcountrywriter.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
blufly.media
In an era where photography was often highly staged, Fédèle Azari's images have a captivating, 'slice of life' candour. It's like travelling back in time. (📸 Fédèle Azari [1895-1930] | Digital image courtesy @gettymuseum.bsky.social's Open Content Program) | 🛩️ 🎨 🥇 | 🔗 www.getty.edu/art/collecti...
An old, sepia-toned, tightly framed photo of two pilots sitting in a tandem, two-seat, open-cockpit biplane. Little of the airplane is visible other than some of the side of the fuselage and the aircraft's upper wing. The two pilots would normally be facing the left side of the frame while in flight, but in this image they are turned to their left looking directly at the camera and smiling slightly. The pilot in front is wearing a wool-looking cap with goggles pushed up onto his forehead. The pilot in back is wearing a balaclava-like hat which also covers his chin, ears, and the back of his neck. He is also wearing goggles pushed up onto his forehead. Original caption from source: « Two pilots wearing aviator caps and [goggles] on their heads, sitting in a plane. ». (📸 Fédèle Azari [1895-1930] | Digital image courtesy the Getty Museum's Open Content Program.)
November 28, 2025 at 3:45 PM
blufly.media
« SkyAlyne Celebrates First RCAF Acceptance of FAcT Aircraft ▫️ The CT-102B is fully aerobatic and boasts a Rolls-Royce M250-B17F turbine engine, which produces up to 456 shaft horsepower. » So, can we get our hands on one of these aerial hot rods in civvies? | 🛩️ ⚔️ 📰 🥇 | 🔗 skyalyne.ca/latest-updat...
A close-up photo of a Grob Aircraft CT-102B Astra II while parked on an airport ramp. The aircraft is pointing at and to the left of the camera position. The photo is taken from a low angle with a wide-angle lens so as to make the propeller disproportionately large compared to the rest of the aircraft. It has a five-bladed 'scimitar'-type prop. The engine access panel on the left side of the aircraft is open. The aircraft is dark blue at the nose and yellow for the balance of the fuselage, separated by a red and white strip. The number « 201 » is painted in white letters on the visible side of the cowl. The Canada logo is pointed aft of that on the yellow region of the fuselage. The canopy has been slid to the open position. The sky above is sunny with cumulus clouds and high stratus. The aircraft is casting a sharp, black shadow on the pavement. (📸 SkyAlyne)
November 27, 2025 at 2:49 PM
blufly.media
To help mark the 🦃 holiday, we are delighted to announce renowned author Gary B. Fogel has joined our cadre of Avergreen authors. Here's his first article under our imprint « dedicated to the restoration, preservation, promotion, and distribution of the best legacy aviation literature. » | 🛩️ 🪽 🌲 🥇
Albert E. Hastings: America’s First National Glider Champion
Clarifying this pioneering pilot’s importance to the history of soaring.
blufly.media
November 26, 2025 at 11:37 PM
blufly.media
One of the small cohort of companies which is capturing the home office's ongoing attention — and imagination 💭 — is REGENT out of Rhode Island. They continue to make steady progress in their development program of their unique hydrofoil/ground effect aircraft. | 🛩️ 🦆 ⚔️ ⚡️ 📹 📰 🥇 | 🧵 1/2
REGENT Demonstrates Seaglider Rescue Capabilities in Support of U.S. Marine Corps Partnership | REGENT
Operations highlight how Seaglider vessels close critical gaps in maritime defense.
www.regentcraft.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:53 PM
blufly.media
We weren't aware on this day in 1940 – eighty-five years ago 😲 — the legendary DH.98 Mosquito first flew. For this reminder, we thank the People's Mosquito project, which, by the way, is building a *brand-new* Mossie. Well worth checking out. | 🛩️ ⚔️ 🥇 | 🔗 www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk/2025/11/25/8...
A black and white profile view of the DH.98 Mosquito prototype aircraft on or around the date it flew or the first time; November 25, 1940. The aircraft in the picture is either accelerating for take-off or is in the process of landing. The tailwheel is elevated and the aircraft is moving from left to right in the frame. The flaps are partially deployed. Given that this is the prototype, it is uniform grey; that is, with no camouflage. The number « W4050 » is painted on the fuselage just ahead of the empennage. A Royal Air Force roundel is also painted on the side of the fuselage, as is the RAF 'fin flash' painted on the vertical stabiliser. There appears to be grass in the foreground adjacent to the runway. The same grass is also visible beyond the runway, leading up to a line of trees in the distance. The sky is uniform grey. (📸 Royal Air Force via Wikimedia Foundation in the public domain)
November 25, 2025 at 6:36 PM
blufly.media
We've been wondering what the @bas.ac.uk has been up to, of late. Turns out, we've been looking in the wrong place. 'Ice Cold Katy', one of their De Havilland Twin Otters, has been somewhere a lot warmer and a lot more humid, as described in this new 'long read' from Tabitha Taylor Buck. | 🛩️ 💺 🥇
Carbon sink or carbon source? Science flights over the changing Amazon Rainforest - British Antarctic Survey
Ice Cold Katy, one of British Antarctic Survey’s Twin Otter aircraft, has been facilitating groundbreaking climate science over the Amazon Rainforest.
www.bas.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
blufly.media
The 2025 edition of the Recreational Aviation Foundation's photo contest has wrapped up, and this is just one example, amongst many, of the beautiful work submitted this year. Check out all the other winners with the link. (📸 Jim Stevenson | RAF) | 🛩️ 🥇 | 🔗 www.theraf.org/2025-raf-pho...
A blue bush plane in flight is viewed from above set against the background of rocky, mountain terrain dotted with patches of snow. It is flying from left to right in the frame and slightly toward the camera. The pilot is visible and appears to be looking at the camera plane. The aircraft is equipped with large, balloon-type tires suitable for rough terrain. The upper surface of the leading edge of the wing has a strip of orange turbulator devices. On the tip of the wing, in orange letters, is the word « MAULE ». On the vertical stabiliser is a stylised buck (ie. animal) set against an orange background. The lighting suggests an overcast day, but the sky is not visible, by which this could be confirmed. Original caption from source: « RAF Mission: Jim Stevenson - Near the Kennicott Glacier, Alaska » (📸 Jim Stevenson | RAF)
November 21, 2025 at 6:49 PM
blufly.media
An example of the outstanding collection of images of the London Gliding Club's Dunstable 'clubhouse', with thanks to the excellent staff at the Royal Institute of British Architects. (📸 Christopher 'Kit' Nicholson (1904-1948) | RIBA Collections) | 🛩️ 🪽 🎨 🥇 | 🧵 1/2 | 🔗 www.ribapix.com/search?q=Lon...
A rendering by architect Christopher Nicholson's design for the London Gliding Club's 'clubhouse'. It's an elevated, almost isometric view of the building drawn with either pastels or coloured pencils. A glider is shown in the foreground of the building. It's an attractive building in what is now often described as the Mid-Century Modern style. In the top left of the drawing are the letters « LGC ». In the bottom left are the letters « 25 ». In the bottom right are the words « CHRISTOPHER NICHOLSON ¶ REGISTERED ARCHITECT ¶ 100 FULHAM ROAD LONDON S.W.3 ». In the top right is the round logo of the Royal Institute of British Architects. (📸 Christopher David George Nicholson (1904-1948) | RIBA Collections)
November 21, 2025 at 2:51 PM
blufly.media
The latest news from Skyfly: in what amounts to a real feather 🪶 in their cap, Skyfly has recruited uniquely experienced test pilot Elliot Seguin to lead their US-based flight test program. If you're not already familiar with Seguin's work, they introduce him in this new press release. | 🛩️ ⚡️ 🚁 📰
Skyfly Conducts First Piloted Flights in North America and establishes US-based Flight Test Team - Skyfly
Experienced test pilot Elliot Seguin will lead the US team, working to expand the Axe's flight envelope.
skyfly.aero
November 19, 2025 at 5:36 PM
blufly.media
Okay, this ticks ✅ a lot of boxes. (📸 LEGO) | 🛩️ 🔍 🥇
Old Flying Club & Hangar | LEGO® Ideas
“A mile of highway will take you a mile. A mile of runway will take you anywhere” – anon. I present to you Old Flying Club & Hangar, my latest Lego IDEAS pr…
beta.ideas.lego.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:40 PM
blufly.media
« Design and Flight Test of an Air-Launched Medical Aid Delivery Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle » by Samuel A. Cherkauer, Carson J. Karle, Evan M. Hiland, Cameron N. Brown, Isaac R. Wetherbee, Jordan P. Richert, Danielle C. McCormick, Jacob M. Sander, … | 🛩️ ⚔️ 🏫 📡 🥇 | 🧵 1/2 | 🔗 www.mdpi.com/3567564?utm_...
A montage of fifteen figures taken from the academic paper entitled « Design and Flight Test of an Air-Launched Medical Aid Delivery Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle » by Samuel A. Cherkauer, Carson J. Karle, Evan M. Hiland, Cameron N. Brown, Isaac R. Wetherbee, Jordan P. Richert, Danielle C. McCormick, Jacob M. Sander, Max A. Welliver, Jackson A. Karlik, Nicholas Barrick, Zackary J. Bauer, and Brian D. Roth of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, published on October 30, 2025. The figures illustrate both the configuration of the subject aircraft and various aspects of its construction and operating characteristics. (📸 authors named above)
November 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM
blufly.media
When BluFly was just getting started, we had Scale Model Saturday, focused on the very best, museum-quality scale aircraft models. One of the perennial stars of that was @flypastrush.bsky.social. Here's his latest blog post, and there's also a mailing list to which you can subscribe. | 🛩️ ⚔️ 🔍 🥇
1/48th Hasegawa TF-104 Starfighter converted to CF-104D | Fly Past Rush
Hasegawa's F-104 series was initially released in 2000. The 1/48th Hasegawa TF-104 Starfighter kit followed in 2006. This is their dual seat NATO version.
www.flypastrush.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:12 AM
blufly.media
With weather turning distinctly wintry ❄️ here at the home office, it was delightfully cruel timing for the ADVANCE Paragliders newsletter to arrive and have it feature this 'Postcard from Hawaii'. 🌺 Some folks have all the luck. Exquisite photos and an interesting story to go with them. | 🛩️ 🪽 📍 🇺🇸 🥇
ALOHA KĀKOU
Emerald green mountains, endless white sandy beaches, turquoise sea – experiencing Hawaii from a bird's eye view is a paradisiacal experience. Keal Pontin regularly lets the tropical wind carry him ov...
www.advance.swiss
November 15, 2025 at 6:48 PM
blufly.media
We prefer stories written in the past tense of accomplishments actually having been — well — accomplished. ✅ This announcement seems to meet that bar with uncrewed, BVLOS, cargo drone operations approaching what we might have imagined as the technology evolved over the past few years. | 🛩️ 📡 🚁 ⚡️ 📰 🥇
Milestone Story: Skyways Delivers Precision Under Pressure with Historic Long-range, Offshore Cargo Drop
Skyways, Skyports, and RWE completed Germany’s first autonomous offshore wind resupply mission, proving dependable long-range BVLOS cargo logistics.
www.skyways.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:48 PM
blufly.media
We've had this well-written and illustrated opinion piece from @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social on hand for some time, but it’s still relevant. What do you say? Do you think there are other aircraft that could be added to this list? Or perhaps there are some listed here that ought not to be? | 🛩️ 📍 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🥇
Five aircraft that pioneered commercial aviation | National Museums Scotland
Many have become accustomed to air travel, with the low-cost of airline tickets allowing regular flights to Europe and beyond. It is hard to believe that i
www.nms.ac.uk
November 13, 2025 at 3:49 PM
blufly.media
Fred is a legend for many avgeeks like us: « Creating a Community of Mentors to Support the Next Generation of Pilots ▫️ Fred North's worldwide mentoring programme connects young aviators with veteran peers to enhance safety. » (📸 Airbus Helicopters) | 🛩️ 🚁 🧰 🥇 | 🔗 www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/...
An all-white and otherwise unmarked Airbus H125 (formerly the Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil) is shown in an air-to-air photo. The aircraft is pictured from above, looking down, and is heading toward and slightly to the right of the camera position. The passengers inside the helicopter are visible through the cockpit windscreen. In the background is a rugged, rocky coastline dotted with some trees. A blue ocean or lake is visible beyond that. The weather appears sunny. (📸 Airbus Helicopters)
November 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
blufly.media
Highly respected, UK-based freelance journalist @markep.bsky.social has been busy again and has just published an interesting new article just out on the BBC website. His previous work includes the noteworthy 'N-4 Down: The Hunt for the Arctic Airship Italia'. (📸 Outbound Aerospace) | 🛩️ 🥇
Blended wings: The sci-fi aircraft concept that could appear at an airport near you
The concept of blended-wing aircraft – where fuselage and wing are all one structure – is not new. But this radical design might soon be a credible concept for airliners.
www.bbc.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:08 PM
blufly.media
New Season of Behind The Wings® on @pbs.org: this excellent series returns for a seventh season, with complementary 'behind the scenes' podcasts, and episodes on the Hurricane Hunters and the enduring F-16. (📸 @noaa.gov | SrA A. Schwier-Morales, USAF) | 🛩️ 🎙️ 📹 ⚔️ 🥇 | 🔗 wingsmuseum.org/resources/po...
An image of the Lockheed WP-3D Orion nicknamed 'Kermit' and also known as one of the ‘Hurricane Hunter' aircraft. It is photographed from below and appears to be on final approach for landing set against a backdrop of a sunny sky with lots of puffy, white cumulus clouds. Inset, lower right, is a picture of a formation of four F-16 aircraft in flight over a cloud deck seen below. Original caption from source: « U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing fly in formation during a training sortie over South Korea March 14, 2014. » (📸 NOAA | SrA Armando Schwier-Morales, United States Air Force in the public domain)
November 10, 2025 at 3:44 PM
blufly.media
From Jennifer Chu for MIT News: « [R]searchers don’t yet know how these unconventional designs might respond to lightning strikes. ¶ MIT aerospace engineers are hoping to change that with a new physics-based approach that predicts how lightning would sweep across a plane with any design … » | 🛩️ 🏫 🥇
Lightning-prediction tool could help protect the planes of the future
A new model predicts how lightning would sweep across any airplane, including those with experimental designs. The tool generates a zoning map of the plane, showing which sections require more or less...
news.mit.edu
November 7, 2025 at 4:08 PM
blufly.media
We're total fans of meticulous restorations — keepin’ ’em flyin’ — and this looks like another one being undertaken by the Airbase Georgia of the Commemorative Air Force. A great update on a really interesting P-47 Thunderbolt project. | 🛩️ ⚔️ 🥇 | 🧵 1/2 | 🔗 commemorativeairforce.org/news/airbase...
A montage of four photos from various stages of a restoration project of a P-47 Thunderbolt currently being undertaken by the Commemorative Air Force Airbase, Georgia. Top left: the supercharger on a forklift with a yellow rental moving van nearby. Top right: in a workshop, two men carry what appears to be the leading edge of the aircraft in the form of a bent aluminum sheet. Bottom left: the same two men carry the same part after having removed it from the yellow moving van. Bottom right: the supercharger on a forklift, but this time either being loaded onto or removed from the yellow moving van. All of these photos are montaged over a washed-out, black-and-white image of a schematic diagram seemingly from the original P-47 technical manual. It's a cut-away drawing of the aircraft's supercharger as mounted in its fuselage. (📸 Commemorative Air Force Airbase Georgia)
November 6, 2025 at 6:11 PM
blufly.media
New from Conrad Hatcher writing for Skies Magazine, a detailed, thorough, and yet very readable article on this elegant new training aircraft. (📸 Tecnam) | 🛩️ 🥇
We fly the Tecnam P Mentor - Skies Mag
We fly Tecnam’s newest two-seat aircraft—a modern trainer for a modern student pilot.
skiesmag.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:49 PM
blufly.media
An interesting new @darpa.mil program has just opened up: the « DARPA Lift Challenge » with $6.5M in prize money. All that's required 😉 is to have your team's drone fly one hundred and ten pounds over a five-mile circuit. (📸 Alan Clarke | DARPA) | 🛩️ 📡 ⚔️ 🏫 🥇 | 🔗 www.darpa.mil/research/pro...
An artist's rendering, resembling a watercolour, wherein the point of view is at grass level looking out over a grace race course marked by yellow chequerboard vertical banners. The start/finish line is also shown consisting of two vertical poles joined by a cloth banner. The latter has black and white chequerboard at either end and the DARPA Lift challenge logo in the centre. The logo consists of a circular black barbell plate with the words « DARPA LIFT CHALLENGE » in white letters arranged around the periphery. Two feathered wings extend outwards to the left and right from the plate. In the foreground, two sets of barbells are shown suspended by straps from a drone which is out of frame at the top. The sky is blue with white, puffy clouds. (📸 Alan Clarke | DARPA)
November 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
blufly.media
The « Conservation FLYer Featured Mission » for @lighthawk-org.bsky.social this month was in pursuit of the « protection for 62,500 acres of lands in Northwestern Maine ». An interesting read about this excellent work of this group. (📸 Jake Metzler) | 🛩️ 💺 🥇 | 🔗 www.lighthawk.org/what-we-do/c...
A view from a small aircraft of the forests of northwestern Maine near the border of the United States. The leading edge of the red, white, and silver wing of the photographer's aircraft is visible in the bottom right of the frame. The landscape below consists of rolling hills of yellow and green. The sky above is clear with a small band of mist on the horizon. Original caption from source: « A group of LightHawk partners have come together to pursue protection for 62,500 acres of lands in northwestern Maine known as the Magalloway region » (📸 Jake Metzler)
November 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
blufly.media
We featured DarkAero's excellent newsletter 🗞️ last month, wherein they are sharing engineering details of their 'DarkAero 1'. Here's this month's, including a video with details of the wing centre section by President and Co-Founder Ryley Karl. | 🛩️ 📹 🥇 | 🧵 1/2
A picture of the 'DarkAero 1' prototype in a test rig. It is located in a well-lit hangar. The aircraft is barely discernible amongst all the test equipment as well as the test rig itself. Original caption from source: « Ratchet straps were used during load tests of the wing mount lugs to apply simulated drag loads. » (📸 DarkAero, Inc.)
November 2, 2025 at 11:05 PM