Well visible on this AS-350B3 is the modified Maximum Pilot View Kit (MPVK) designed and distributed by Swiss Rotor Services. Allowing the pilot increased visibility during external sling load operations, the kit does not come cheap but is appreciated by operators around the globe. Also visible is the so called "black tear" on the tailboom, a special high thermal coating protecting the tailboom from the hot exhaust gases as external sling load operations often require extended hovering.

New Helicopter operater in Switzerland. Heli-Peaks was founded in early 2025 and started operating two K-Max helicopters in July of 2025. The new company is based in Sion (Canton of Valais) and operates under the AOC of Héli-Alpes. Both K-Max were purchased from Rainier Helicopters and retain - for now - the red / gold paint scheme of the former owner. HB-ZOR pictured here during logging is a 2017 built airframe previously registered as N40HX and N690RH and was - together with sistership HB-ZAO (c/n A94-0019) - delivered to Heli-Peaks in March 2025.

The Iraqi AF was among the first customer of the PC-9 and ordered 20 airframes around 1986, with deliveries starting in 1987. The assigned construction numbers were 144 through 163, while the serials were 5801 through 5820. The airframe pictured here in this stunning three tone camo taxies out from the Pilatus factory for a pre-delivery testflight. Already carrying the external fuel tanks needed for the ferry flight, it became 5818 / ٥٨١٨ in Iraqi service. Fate is not exactly known but it was probably rather short lived, as most Iraqi AF assets were destroyed during the 1st Gulf War in 1991.

Founded in 2021, Aero Italia started operating scheduled low cost passenger flights within Europe in July of 2022. At the time of upload, the airline's fleet consists of nine Boeing 737-800, one Embraer ERJ170, one ERJ-190 and two ATR-72 aircraft. 9H-MAB seen here on approach to Alghero was built in 2010. Initially operated by Japan Airlines / JAL Express as JA326J until February 2022, the month it was registered to Syphax Airlines as TS-IEH. Briefly registered as T7-L143 before joining Aero Italia in December of 2023.

As from 1978, the Swiss AF received at total of 98 single seat F-5E's. Delivered in two batches of 66 and 32 aircraft, J-3094 shown here was one of the last jets joining the ranks. The "Flugplatzabteilung 3 / Fliegerkompanie 8" badge on the nose originates from the last "Wiederholungskurs" in Turtmann in March 2003, while the Shark on the center fuel tank is the emblem of the Fliegerstaffel 8 / Squadron 8 "Vandalos". The days of the F-5 in Swiss AF service are numbered, as the few remaining jets will be retired by 2027 and mostlikely sold to the US Navy like 44 in 2008 and 22 in 2024.

Built in 1983 as G-BKZE, this airframe was till early 1993 used by British Airways Helicopters. Brintel Helicopters was next, leasing it to the UN in 1994. As from August 2000, the heli was part of CHC Scotia, before Heli Austria obtained it in June 2016, applying an overall red paint scheme. However, it already wore this green paint when it was transferred to the Lions Air Group in April 2024. Operated for "European Firecats", a joint venture of Lions Air and Heli Austria using Super Pumas in the fire fighting role. Note the modified main landing gear sponsons, reducing the EW by 135 kgs.

Cont'd from previous image. New airframe for the UK's 2nd Generation SAR (UKSAR2G) program, consisting of 18 helicopters assigned to ten permament 24/7 and two seasonal (during summer) bases around the UK. The fleet will be of three S-92's, nine AW189's and six new AW139's, of which G-RESI is the last delivered. The other five new AW139's are G-RESA, G-RESB, G-RESE, G-RESF and G-RESH. UKSAR2G is a comprehensive program aiming to transform the UK's SAR program into a modern, efficient and latest-technology-based service.

Pictured during delivery flight from Milano (MXP) via Bern to the UK. G-RESI is the last of six new AW139 ordered by Bristow after being awarded the UK's 2nd Generation SAR by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) in July 2022. The new UKSAR2G program is valued at 1.6 billion GBP for the 2024 through 2034 periode and implements lessons learned from the previous 10 year SAR contract, also held by Bristow since 2013. The transition phase from the "old" to the "new" contracted started on Sept. 30, 2024 and needs to be completed by Dec. 31, 2026. See next image for additional details.

Greece became a Mirage 2000 operator in 1989, when deliveries of 4 dual-seat (serialled 201 through 204) and 36 single-seat (serialled 205 through 240) began. The jets were assigned to 331 Mira and 332 Mira, part of 114 Combat Wing based at Tanagra. In the year 2000, 15 additional new aircraft equipped with the RDY-2 radar (version Mirage 2000-5 Mk2) were ordered, plus 10 of the initial batch were upgraded as well. All 25 M2000-5 Mk2 jets including the upgraded ones received serials in the 5XX range but it is not known if 549 is a new built or a refurbished M2000-5 Mk2 airframe.

61674 (US FY # 76-1674) pictured taking off during exercise "Cope Tiger 2011" was part of a 1st batch of 17 new F-5E Tigers delivered to the Royal Thai AF in 1978/79. It served in different RTAF wings / squadrons and as such had as many military codes applied: '10232', '71132', '71114', '70114/SRT', '70145' and finally '21111'. Two times upgraded by Elbit: first to F-5T Tigris around 2004 and then some ten years later to F-5TH Super Tigris. Based at Surat Thani (SRT) and assigned to Wing 7 / 701 squadron when this picture was taken, before being transferred to 211 squadron in October 2012.

Built in 1988 and delivered new to the Egyptian AF, "4803" is one of eight Beech 1900C-1's operated by the Egyptian AF's 38th squadron based at Cairo-Almaza. They are serialled 4801 through 4808 but also carry dual SU-BK.. or SU-BL.. markings. The aircraft's main purpose in EAF service is to conduct VIP, special mission and liaison flights. In addition, two Beech 1900D (serialled 4809/SU-BRS and 4810/SU-BRT) are operated by the SAR Unit and used for medical evacuation flights.

As from 2003, the UAEAF took delivery of 25 dual seat F-16F "Desert Falcons" (serialled 3001 through 2025) and 55 single seat F-16E's (serialled 3026 through 3080). One F-16E, serial 3052, crashed on January 9, 2006 and was replaced by an additional airframe (3081). 3027 shown here carried US FY 00-6002 and as such was the 2nd F-16E delivered. Based at Abu Dhabi/Al Dhafra Air Base (OMAM), it is reported to be assigned to Shaheen / Squadron 3. Rather surprisingly, Israeli and UAE F-16's trained together during "Iniochos 2017", a time both countries did not have diplomatic relations yet.

Built in 1994, this Dauphin initially carried french registration F-GJBU (some reports also suggest F-GMBU) and is one of at least five N2's operated by Heli-Union. In early 1995, it was shipped to its first assignment in Cameroon, and for customs purposes received registration LX-HUN. In 2001, while still in Cameroon, it was re-registered to F-GLIP, before eventually ending up in Iran as EP-HDT around 2005. Fate of this airframe is unknown.

Built in 2007, PK-TPE became the 2nd of four EC155 operated by IAT. The others are PK-TPD (c/n 6784), PK-TPF (c/n 6798) and PK-TPG (c/n 6812). Still active at the time of upload, albeit in a now more colorful paint scheme. IAT was established in 1968 as an air charter service to primarily support the oil and gas industry and has always operated a mix of fixed- and rotory-wing aircraft.

Built in 1968, this airframe was first operated in Norway as LN-ORY and then sold to Lapplandsflyg Lap-Air AB in Sweden in 1981, which did operate it till 2012. Sold to HLK Fjällnära Transporter AB in September 2012 and stationed in Ammarnäs. In 2016 / 2017, it was operated by HeliAir Sweden for about one year and eventually joined Heli Lapland, a company not much known of.

2014 built HB-ZNR entered service with Air-Glaciers on June 26, 2015 and almost 10 years later to the day was involved in a landing accident on June 28, 2025. Unfortunately, the incident claimed the life of one passenger and caused significant damage to the helicopter. Air-Glaciers currently operates four EC135's in the HEMS role plus twelve AS-350 Series helicopters for aerial work (three AS-350B2's, six AS-350B3's and three AS-350B3e's).

Since late 2016, Westpac Rescue operates four AW139 helicopters from three bases, which are located at the airports of Belmont, Tamworth and Lismore. Covering the northeastern corner of New South Wales, three AW139 are on a 24/7 stand-by, while the 4th is either in maintenance or serves as a back-up. VH-ZXA pictured here was the first delivered in May 2016, followed by VH-ZXB (c/n 31733), VH-ZXC (c/n 31737) and finally VH-ZXD (c/n 31738). The yellow / red c/s stem from the beginnings with "Surf Lifesaving", while the white c/s represents the partnership with NSW Ambulance and NSW Health.

CargoAir commenced operations on September 9, 2008 with one converted Boeing 737-300 Freighter (registered LZ-CGO). Over the years, Cargo Air has owned or leased a total of 20 B737 freighters of the versions -300, -400 and -800. LZ-CGX shown here on approach to Athens International is one of six -400 freighters operated by Cargo Air as of April 2025, and is still wearing the basic paint scheme of it's former owner Enter Air. Previous registrations were B-18671, EI-TVA, VH-VGA, OO-VEP, SP-ENI and N489VA. Joined Cargo Air in March of 2018.

As one of six C-295 operated by the Czech AF since 2010, this airframe was the 2nd delivered. The badge above the main landing identifies this aircraft to be part of the Multinational Force & Observer (MFO) mission in the Sinai. In 2009, the Czech Republic started to become partner in that peace keeping mission between Egypt and Israel, and since 2013 provides a CASA 295 to support MFO operations. The aircrafts tasks are Passengers and cargo transport (up to 60 pax or 6,000 kg), reconnaissance and verification flights, VIP and Treaty Party transport, plus CASEVAC and SAR flights.

During it's 12 year of existence between 2001 and 2013, Batavia Air operated - among other types - not less than fourteen -300 Series B737's, among them PK-YVW pictured here in the airline's last but quite attractive livery. A few month after this picture was taken, Batavia filed for bankruptcy on January 31, 2013, grounding PK-YVW for good. Delivered new to USAir as N369AU in July of 1986, re-registered N397US in November of 1988, before Batavia bought it in August 2006. In December of 2016, this airframe was scrapped in Pontianak.