General aviation does not move forward by accident. It advances through dedication, discipline and, occasionally, a willingness to step well beyond the comfort zone.
We begin with the 2025 Wings Awards: The Best of General Aviation, where Kreisha Ballantyne announces this year’s CASA Wings Award winners. Each year, the awards shine a light on the individuals who quietly strengthen aviation from the inside out, reminding us that progress is built on character as much as capability.
History and heritage follow in In the Slipstream of History, where Paul Southwick traces a family story linking Christchurch in 1943 to Perth today. Along the way, he rediscovers why the Tiger Moth remains one of aviation’s most enduring and much-loved classics.
The next generation is already pushing boundaries. In Beyond the Comfort Zone, Kreisha Ballantyne speaks with 17-year-old Rose Donald as she prepares to fly solo around Australia in a Cessna 172, raising funds for Little Wings and encouraging other young women to pursue aviation careers.
Responsibility sits at the heart of safe flying. In Zen and the Art of Aeroplane Maintenance, Steve Hitchen explores the RAAus Level 1 Maintainer course and examines what it truly means to repair and service your own aircraft.
From the workshop to the utility ramp, Steve Hitchen also takes a look at NZAero’s new SuperPac SETP in Packing a Super Punch, following its Australian tour and assessing the role a modern single-engine turboprop can play in demanding operations.
Technology continues to reshape training environments. In Feels Like the Real Thing, Brian Bigg explores how simulators can sharpen skills, build confidence and reduce cost, while acknowledging the one thing they can never fully replace: the feel of real flight.
Training standards are under the microscope in Training that Doesn’t Cut Corners, where Paul Southwick visits Revesco at Jandakot and finds a culture built on structured briefs, disciplined procedures and preparation for the unexpected.
Choosing where to learn remains one of the most important decisions a pilot makes. In 5 Signs Your Flying School Is the Right Fit, Brian Bigg outlines the red flags to avoid and the signs that indicate you have found a school that values safety, transparency and good instruction.
Rotary aviation rounds out the issue. In Built for the Job, Benn Marks takes a close look at the Bell 429, examining why this light twin-engine helicopter continues to attract operators seeking versatility and capability in one platform.
As always, these features are supported by our regular columns including Editorial, News, Rotors, Lessons from a Logbook, Reports from the Regions, Historical Aircraft, Safety Matters, For the Love of Flying, Fit to Fly, Right Hand Seat, What Can We Learn? and Short Final.
Across heritage, training, technology and ambition, this issue reflects a simple truth: aviation rewards those who take it seriously.
And that has never gone out of style.