WORLD AVIATION GUIDE
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AircraftSikorsky S-76In the mid-1970s, Sikorsky began work on a helicopter aimed primarily at commercial customers. Its military programmes had supplied valuable experience, but operators flying workers to offshore oil installations or carrying business passengers needed something different from an army transport. They wanted a machine able to cover useful distances with a comfortable cabin, dependable engines …Explore →
AircraftF-16 Fighting FalconThe aircraft that became the F-16 Fighting Falcon began with a debate about what a fighter should be. By the late 1960s, new combat aircraft had become increasingly heavy and complex. Some American officers and designers argued that manoeuvrability, visibility and an effective power-to-weight ratio deserved renewed attention. The US Air Force’s Lightweight Fighter programme …Explore →
AircraftSupermarine SpitfireThe Supermarine Spitfire began as an answer to a problem facing Britain in the early 1930s. Fighter aircraft were becoming faster, but the Royal Air Force still relied heavily on biplanes. The Air Ministry wanted a modern interceptor capable of meeting an enemy bomber before it reached its target. Supermarine, already famous for its Schneider …Explore →
AircraftLeonardo AW109Agusta’s Ambition to Build an Original Helicopter Before the AW109 became a familiar sight above cities and landing pads, its maker faced a different challenge: how to become a designer of helicopters in its own right. Agusta had experience building and supporting rotorcraft, including types developed elsewhere. That work taught its engineers about production, maintenance …Explore →