FEATURES

AGGRESSOR TIGERS
Air combat training for the US Navy and Marine Corps has received a new lease of life with the acquisition of former Swiss Air Force F-5 Tiger IIs. Ted Carlson reports from NAS Fallon, home of the aggressors.

NASA'S AIRLINERS - FROM TRANSPORTS TO TESTBEDS
Dave Willis examines the varied roles of airliners used by NASA.

NH90 - MULTI-ROLE MAESTRO
NHIndustries has delivered the first NH90s and the programme has now accumulated close to 500 firm orders. Patrick Allen reviews the progress of this multi-role helicopter.

AIR VERSUS RAIL - IS AIR TRANSPORT LOSING OUT TO THE TRAINS?
Brian Walters assesses the ongoing battle for passengers between high-speed rail services and air travel

FALCONS SOAR OVER CHILE
Chile recently modernised its air force by buying new and second-hand Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons. Frank Visser presents details of the delivery of 18 Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 MLUs to the Chilean Air Force.

ROTORS AND RIGS - NORTH SEA HELICOPTER OPERATIONS
Dino Carrara gives an overview of North Sea helicopter operators supporting the offshore oil and gas industry.

SAAB CELEBRATES 70 YEARS
One of the most famous names in aviation recently celebrated its 70th anniversary with an air show at Link?ping. Malcolm English reports from the event and on the latest developments from Saab.

DEFENCE HELICOPTER FLYING SCHOOL
On the occasion of its tenth anniversary, Malcolm English visited the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury to hear about its operations.

SAUDI TORNADOS IN THE UK
Mark Ayton, Assistant Editor of AI's sister magazine AirForces Monthly, reports on the recent Royal Saudi Air Force Tornado detachment to RAF Lossiemouth.

AIRCRAFT PROFILE -
HAWKER HUNTER
Former Hunter pilot David Hobbs describes the single-seat versions used by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.


REGULARS
HEADLINES
This month's headlines include details of a delay to the first flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and an order for 84 Boeing 737NGs by Norwegian Air Shuttle.

MILITARY NEWS
Reports from around the world.

CIVIL NEWS
A round-up of the latest commercial news.

CIVIL & MILITARY ACCIDENTS
Details of the latest aircraft accidents, compiled by Dave Allport.

MAKS AIR SHOW REPORT
Dave Allport presents the main news from the Moscow Air Show.

FLIGHT BAG
Reviews of some aviation-related products.

TALK BACK
A selection of readers' letters and photographs.