The past year was packed with exciting new aircraft, incredible aviators, and no shortage of fun airshows and exhibitions, and we took every chance we could to bring you there with some of the best photography in aviation.
Look back with us on 2016 with photos of new airplanes, from the highly anticipated HondaJet to the backcountry-conquering XCub; gargantuan fly-in events such as AirVenture, Sun ‘n Fun and Flying Aviation Expo; and some of the most interesting personalities in the flying world.
Our first stop is perhaps the most anxiously-awaited event in the aviation community: Oshkosh. And AirVenture 2016 didn’t disappoint. The annual fly-in attracted hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for airshow performances, seminars, fireworks, new product introductions and an almost unimaginable gathering of airplanes. You can find our full coverage of AirVenture 2016 here.
The Martin Mars flying water bomber was a huge hit this year.Jon WhittleEven a day of foul weather didn’t dampen the spirits of Oshkosh attendees.Jon WhittleFireworks are always a highlight at Oshkosh.Jon Whittle
Daher’s TBM 930 graced the cover of our September issue. As an added bonus to our online readers, we also published a Behind the Lens feature, with extra photos and video from the cover shoot in South Florida. Below are a few images from that shoot.
Staff photographer Jon Whittle captures images of the Daher TBM 930 while strapped into the back of a Piper Seneca.Jerry PomalesThe beaches of South Florida provided a beautiful backdrop for the day’s photoshoot.Jon WhittleAn up-close look at the TBM 930.Jon Whittle
Our April issue featured some of the top performers in the airshow circuit. Michael Goulian, Anna Serbinenko, Kevin Coleman and Sammy Mason explained how they’re pushing boundaries in aerobatics and what it takes to make it in the show.
Anna Serbinenko, who was featured in our feature about up-and-coming airshow performers, flies in her Decathlon at Tri-City Water Follies in Washington.Anna SerbinenkoKevin Coleman, another rising star, performs in his Extra 300SHP.Mike Shore
In early April, the gates at Florida’s Lakeland Linder Airport opened for the 42nd time, welcoming aviators to Sun ‘n Fun for a week of educational forums and workshops, aircraft and tech displays, and aerobatic performances.
The 42nd annual Sun ‘n Fun event was a highlight of 2016.Jon WhittleThere was no shortage of aerobatic performances throughout the week.Jon WhittleSun ‘n Fun lived up to its name with beautiful weather all week long.Jon WhittleAttendees that flew in camped out at Lakeland Linder Airport.Jon Whittle
This year saw the introduction of the piston model of Lancair’s Evolution. Flyingtested the four-seat composite airplane and featured it on the cover of our August issue. Check out some pictures of the plane below.
The Evolution Piston continues Lancair’s legacy of producing beautiful, fast, maneuverable airplanes. This sleek bird is constructed mostly with ultra-strong carbon-fiber materials.Jessica AmbatsAn optional rough landing gear option allows pilots to fly into a greater number of unimproved strips. However, because the wider tires produce more drag, you lose about 10 knots in cruise.Jessica Ambats
Solar Impulse founders and pilots André Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard stand in front of the Si2 cockpit.Pia BergqvistMore than 17,000 solar panels are mounted on top of the wings and fuselage of the Si2.Pia Bergqvist
The 2016 Flying Aviation Expo was held for the first time at Palm Springs International Airport.FlyingOne highlight of the Expo was the first-ever live debate between aviation educators John King, left, and Rod Machado on the benefits and pitfalls of the FAA’s new Airman Certification Standards.FlyingA special appearance was made by legendary aerobatic helicopter pilot Chuck Aaron, who flew in the night’s entertainment, crooner Sal Valentinetti, for a 007-themed party on the final night of the Expo.Flying
Another new airplane that made for some stunning photo ops was the Piper M600. Piper’s latest turboprop has a clean-sheet wing, more power, touchscreen avionics and stylish interior enhancements.
The latest iteration of the PA-46 features a clean-sheet wing.Jim BarrettThe waters off Vero Beach, Florida, provide the perfect backdrop for an air-to-air photoshoot.Jim Barrett
Flying was also witness to history in 2016, during the first flight of a replica Junkers F13 in Zurich, Switzerland. High-end suitcase maker Rimowa celebrated the landmark event with a lavish, Golden Age of Aviation-themed party. Both the flight and the fete that followed made for some memorable photos.
The Junkers F13 replica’s first flight took place outside Zurich, Switzerland.Thomas Lüthi/Rimowa 2016Rimowa’s party was held in Dubendorf’s famed Hangar 9, where Hugo Junkers built the first F13 in 1919.Rimowa
Gracing the cover of our November issue was the brand-new Legacy 450. The fly-by-wire mid-light bizjet makes Embraer a major contender in the business aviation market.
The first Legacy 450 is expected to roll out of Embraer’s new, expanded Melbourne, Florida, manufacturing facility in December.Erich ShibataThe fly-by-wire Legacy’s Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics system.Erich Shibata
One of the most interesting pilots featured in Flying magazine this year is Kyle Franklin, a third-generation airshow performer who reflected on his family’s legacy, his career in aviation and the success and tragedy along the way.
Third-generation airshow performer Kyle Franklin in his Demon-1 Franklin Aircraft, Dracula.Jon Whittle
This year’s National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, took on new look, but the excitement was still there as the event roared into its 53rd year. Check out the photos below and see our full coverage of the races here.
Stihl came in as the title sponsor for the 2016 and 2017 races after Breitling decided to drop its sponsorship.Pia BergqvistA line of T-6 Texans waits patiently in the desert sun for their turn to turn up the heat.John King, FlyerFocus.comA sport class heat comes out of the valley Friday morning at Reno.John King, FlyerFocus.com
Cirrus turned its safety record into one of the best in the industry with its new approach to transition training. Flying Editor-in-Chief Stephen Pope went through the course this year and came away a bigger believer in CAPS than he already was.
The Cirrus Approach simulator training focuses on use of the SR series’ CAPS full-airframe parachute, with scenarios that put the pilot in hopeless situations that require pulling the big red handle in the ceiling.Jim KoepnickBy the end of Cirrus Approach training, pilots know when and how to use the parachute, and are able to make the decision to pull or not in a split second.Jim Koepnick
It was also a big year for CubCrafters, which saw certification of its XCub. The rugged new taildragger is right at home flying in remote backcountry locations, and it’s easy on the eyes too.
Like the furry mammal from which the original name was derived, this Cub is a winner in the backcountry.Jon BlissPushrods control the redesigned ailerons in the XCub, giving the airplane a stellar roll rate.Jon Bliss
One of the best places to see what’s new in the world of business aircraft this year was the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland, last May. Here are a few photos of what was on display.
The static display outside the Palexpo convention center in Geneva was dominated by a BBJ 787-8, the largest airplane to have been on display at any NBAA-sponsored event.Pia BergqvistPilatus PC-24 customers had an opportunity to take a closer look at the new interior inside the mockup at the EBACE indoor exhibit.Pia BergqvistBombardier’s exhibit of business jets dominated the center section of EBACE’s static display.Pia Bergqvist
A story in the May issue of Flying brought us to California’s Camarillo Airport, where the Commemorative Air Force restores, maintains and flies a beautiful collection of warbirds. Check out some of the CAF’s collection below.
CAF SoCal’s P-51 Mustang on display outside a hangar at Camarillo.Jon WhittleCommemorative Air Force volunteer mechanics pass on the knowledge of how to maintain historic warbirds, such as this SNJ-5 Texan, in flying condition to new generations.Jon WhittleThe PBJ-1J B-25 Mitchell bomber is the latest to be restored at CAF SoCal.Jon Whittle
The HondaJet HA-420’s unique design made the light jet one of the most anticipated airplanes of 2016. Find out whether the HondaJet lived up to the hype in this feature from our June issue.
With its sharply pointed nose, aggressive winglets and engines mounted on top of the wings, the HondaJet is easy to identify. Initially all will have a uniform paint scheme with five color choices.Honda AircraftHonda Aircraft’s president and CEO, Michimasa Fujino, chose the over-the-wing mount system for the GE Honda HF120 engines that power the HondaJet.Honda Aircraft
The past year also brought the opportunity to tour Mooney’s factory in Kerrville, Texas, giving our readers an inside look at where the M20V Acclaim Ultra is being built.
Mooney’s delivery hangar provides space for customers to get up close and personal with their new airplane. The hangar also houses a newly redesigned training center.Pia BergqvistThe Continental TSIO-550G engine that powers the M20V Acclaim Ultra gets mounted at the end of the main assembly building.Pia Bergqvist
Game Composites’ versatile GB1 GameBird is engineered for serious aerobatics, so who better to help us put it through its paces than freestyle world aerobatic champion Rob Holland?
If the GB1 GameBird with its superb handling qualities doesn’t put a smile on your face, no airplane will.Glenn WatsonRob Holland pushed the edge of the GameBird’s flight envelope at Oshkosh this year.Jon Whittle
