Royal Aeronautical Society

AEROSPACE NOTAM - February 2026

Aerospace NOTAM’s February 2026 episode opens with Tim Robinson and new features editor Dominic Ward introducing the magazine’s upcoming issue, which spans general aviation, commercial airlines, spaceflight and regulatory trends. The hosts then dive into recent field trips, highlighting WindRacers UK’s launch of the Ultra MK2 drone, now capable of a 2,000‑kilometre range – a milestone that underscores Britain’s slipping lead in scheduled drone delivery as rivals in China and the United States accelerate. The conversation shifts to grassroots aviation heritage, with Steve Bridgewater and Dominic recounting visits to Newark, Midland and Shuttleworth museums. They stress the value of tactile, hands‑on experiences – from ringing historic fire‑bells to climbing inside a restored Anson – as essential for inspiring future engineers and pilots. The segment also flags a regulatory shock: the FAA’s decision to strip Southern Aircraft Consultancy of its offshore‑trust status, instantly grounding 805 European‑registered GA aircraft and forcing owners to seek new trust structures or re‑registration. Further headlines include the U.S. special‑operations raid in Venezuela, illustrating modern air‑power projection, and WhizAir’s strategic pivot toward transatlantic A321 XLR charter and potential scheduled services, capitalising on idle aircraft after exiting the Abu Dhabi market. The hosts debate why WhizAir believes it can succeed where past low‑cost transatlantic attempts have faltered, citing spare fleet capacity and a focused European route network. Overall, the episode signals three converging pressures on the aerospace sector: the urgency for the UK to reclaim drone‑delivery leadership, the need for clearer regulatory frameworks for GA ownership, and the allure of untapped transatlantic market opportunities for agile carriers. Simultaneously, it reaffirms the enduring role of experiential museums in cultivating the next generation of aviation talent.