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British Airways has opened applications for Direct Entry Pilots to join its long-haul operation at Heathrow Airport.

Applicants require a current type rating and at least 1,500 hours of total flying time. This must include a minimum of 500 hours on a relevant multi-pilot aircraft, with no more than 100 hours completed in an eligible simulator.

Candidates must also have flown a relevant aircraft type within the previous 12 months, hold a UK Part-FCL licence and possess, or meet the experience requirements for, a UK ATPL. A valid UK CAA Class 1 medical, ICAO English Level 6 and a passport with at least 12 months remaining are also required.

Successful applicants will begin on one of British Airways’ four long-haul fleets. Opportunities are available across its fleets, although some positions are limited and preference may be given to pilots already holding the relevant type rating. British Airways says it currently has nearly 70 long-haul aircraft on order.

Long-haul suitability will be assessed during the simulator assessment. Candidates who do not meet the long-haul standard may instead be offered a short-haul position.

The package includes a company-funded and unbonded conversion course or type rating, worldwide staff travel, private medical cover and a company pension with contributions of up to 15%.

Applications close on 31 August 2026. British Airways only permits candidates to apply to one BA Group airline at a time, so review the complete conditions carefully before submitting an application.

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A newly published study in JAMA Internal Medicine has raised significant occupational health questions for pilots and cabin crew.

Researchers analysed nearly 13 million US death certificates from 2020 to 2024 across 503 occupations, including approximately 14,000 pilots and 7,000 flight attendants. Flight attendants recorded the highest proportion of deaths from cancers classified as radiation-related, with pilots ranked second.

These cancers accounted for 6.9% of flight attendant deaths and 6.7% of pilot deaths. Researchers identified higher mortality from breast, central nervous system and prostate cancers, as well as melanoma. Pilots also recorded a higher rate of deaths from leukaemia.
Mortality from cancers not associated with radiation was similar to the wider US population.

Aircrew may receive an estimated 3 to 6 millisieverts of cosmic radiation annually, depending on their routes and flying patterns. Exposure generally increases with altitude, latitude and the amount of time spent flying.

However, this observational study found an association and does not prove that cosmic radiation caused the cancer deaths. Researchers did not have individual radiation exposure histories and could not fully separate other occupational factors, including night work and circadian disruption.

The findings add to calls for stronger exposure monitoring, improved crew education and further research into appropriate health screening. Anyone concerned about their personal risk should speak with a qualified medical professional.

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BA CityFlyer has relaunched recruitment for experienced pilots, with Direct Entry Pilot and Aspiration to Command opportunities at London City Airport. Direct Entry Pilot applicants must meet the required Zero Flight Time Training eligibility criteria.

The Aspiration to Command pathway is aimed at experienced First Officers ready to progress. Applicants require at least 2,500 total flying hours, including 1,000 hours on multi-crew aircraft. BA CityFlyer says the pathway is designed to support progression to Captain within 12 to 18 months, subject to vacancies, performance and the required standards.

Direct Entry Captain vacancies are also available at London City Airport and Edinburgh Airport. The London City position requires at least 4,000 total hours, including 1,500 hours as pilot in command on a qualifying commercial multi-crew aircraft.

BA CityFlyer operates the Embraer 190 from London City, serving destinations across the UK and Europe. The Aspiration to Command and Direct Entry Captain vacancies currently close on 31 August 2026.

Applicants should review the full licence, medical, recency, right-to-work and experience requirements before applying. Visit the British Airways careers website and search for BA CityFlyer pilot vacancies.

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Russia’s second import-substituted MC-21 test aircraft completed a nonstop flight from Irkutsk to Zhukovsky near Moscow before joining the programme’s certification campaign.

According to United Aircraft Corporation and Rostec, the November 2025 flight lasted six hours and 15 minutes. The aircraft flew at approximately 11,000 metres and 800 kilometres per hour, with the crew reporting that its systems operated normally.

The aircraft uses Russian-built PD-14 engines and a wing manufactured from domestic composite materials. Russian replacements were also installed for numerous previously imported components, including cockpit controls, avionics, flight-control actuators, braking equipment, air conditioning, fuel systems, wheels and tyres.

A claim now circulating online states that the aircraft completed a 4,000-kilometre flight in five hours and 50 minutes without any Western components. Those details do not match the official report, which gives a flight time of six hours and 15 minutes and describes the aircraft as import-substituted.

The flight represents another important testing milestone, but the MC-21 must complete its certification programme before regular airline operations can begin.

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Emirates is reportedly considering a significant expansion at Milan Malpensa, with a new service to Lima said to be the most advanced proposal.

Italian media reports claim the airline has applied for permission to operate between Milan and the Peruvian capital. Los Angeles, Mexico City, Santiago and São Paulo have also been mentioned as possible future destinations.

These would be fifth-freedom services, allowing Emirates to carry passengers between Italy and another country as part of a wider flight beginning or ending in the United Arab Emirates.

Emirates already uses this model on its Dubai to Milan to New York service. Passengers can book the Milan to New York sector independently.

However, Emirates has not publicly announced a Milan base, confirmed the proposed destinations or released schedules. Describing Malpensa as a new Emirates base therefore remains premature.
If the Lima proposal receives the necessary traffic rights and regulatory approvals, it could strengthen Milan’s connections with South America and expand Emirates’ network beyond Dubai.

For now, this remains a reported plan rather than a confirmed route announcement.

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A student pilot is reported to be in a stable condition after undergoing surgery following a training aircraft crash near Agoncillo Airport in northern Spain.

According to Maldivian news outlet See.mv, the trainee suffered head injuries and fractures to his feet and legs. The flight instructor is also reported to have sustained serious head and cervical spine injuries.

The Tecnam P2006T, operated by flight school FlyBy, was conducting touch-and-go training when it crashed into farmland near Viana. Both occupants were taken to hospital following the accident.
Reports conflict over the student’s nationality, and his identity has not been officially confirmed.

Spain’s Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission has opened an investigation. The cause remains unknown, and speculation should be avoided until investigators release their findings.

Our thoughts are with both pilots, their families and everyone affected as they continue their recovery.

Are safety standards at flight schools dipping to push as many students through as possible? have a story to report about your flight school? Leave it anonymously on pilot-network.com

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Travelling with children this summer? Sky High Journal turns every flight into an adventure they can record and remember.

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This passport-sized travel logbook lets young aviation enthusiasts document flight details, miles, destinations and aircraft types. It also includes a world map, travel checklists and space for stickers, photographs and other memories.

Families can hand the journal to the cabin crew during boarding and politely ask whether the pilots can add the flight information or a personal message, subject to operational availability.
Whether it is their first flight or their fiftieth, Sky High Journal creates a lasting record of every aviation adventure.

Discover more at skyhighjournal.com

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A preliminary NTSB report has outlined the sequence behind the 10 July 2026 emergency involving a Malta Air Boeing 737-800 operating as Ryanair flight FR1879 from Thessaloniki to Memmingen.

According to the preliminary findings, a fan blade in the right engine separated shortly after takeoff. Fragments escaped the engine, damaged the fuselage and shattered the passenger window beside seat 11F, causing a rapid cabin decompression at approximately 15,000 feet.

Passenger Ljubisa Karovic, 61, was partially pulled through the opening while still restrained by his seatbelt. His wife and nearby passengers held onto him and pulled him back into the cabin. He suffered neck and shoulder injuries along with friction burns. The crew returned the aircraft safely to Thessaloniki.

Investigators have established the fan blade failure and subsequent damage sequence, but they have not determined why the blade failed. Bird remains were found inside the engine, although investigators have not confirmed whether a bird strike, fatigue or another mechanism caused the failure.

The preliminary report is not a final determination of cause. The investigation will continue examining the failed components, inspection records and previous suspected bird strikes involving the engine.

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