John Neilson

In the space of 4 years since the takeover the club have seen 2 Top 5 finishes, 2 Cup Finals, 1 Cup Win, 2 Champions League campaigns, 1st ever time in the Champions League Knockout stages. Beating PSG, Benfica, Bilbao & Outplaying Barcelona at St James’ Park. The exit last night hurts, for Fans, Players, coaches & the owners. Newcastle United have come a long way in a short space of time. Let’s look to the future! #NUFC #UCL

Nice little #avgeek stat for today ✈️ The Airbus A320 I’m on (YK) began its morning in Barcelona, headed north via Heathrow for an Inverness return, and is now up in Glasgow to take me south. A proper European workhorse putting in the miles before I was even awake!

And finally from today 17-03-2026 the aircraft I was hoping for "Raven flight" of @Poland_MOD operating from @RAFWaddington 2 x F16 Block52 aircraft who were gracious enough to bring their two special marked jets both the "Tiger" and "Raven" of 302 SQ and 6th SQ

@BigJetTVLIVE There are some seriously sick people around - not sure why anyone would take advantage of someone’s illness like this - beyond comprehension. Get well soon Gerry and thoughts are with you at this difficult time Gilly.

If you see a Go Fund Me or any fundraiser for Jerry please DO NOT donate, we do not have one, nor have we given anyone consent to create one. Thanks! Gilly

Quick hop up to Glasgow on BA1490 this evening - badly timed as I’ll miss most of the NUFC Champions League action. All eyes (and hopes) now on the onboard WiFi… ✈️⚽️ #NUFC #avgee

Wishing Jerry a speedy recovery as he battles some health issues at the moment! Not many people can get you to No1 tracked on @flightradar24 when you’re on short finals! Thoughts with Gilly and the whole @BigJetTVLIVE family 🙏🏻🇦🇪

@JAT74L @scottiebateman @JSS779 @JohnNicholRAF @paul_winginit @Aerotiques @avgasaddiction Great to see everyone again - hoping @scottiebateman managed to extract the Jumbo wall art from the room without to much trouble!

Superb night yet again at the invite of the man himself @scottiebateman doubly honoured yet again to be back at the RAF club and and to attend the launch of Scottie’s second book. “Jumbo”. #jumbo @JSS779 @JohnNicholRAF @flyingjok @paul_winginit @Aerotiques

@Defence_Index This upgrade has been a very long time coming - hardly new!

🚨 BREAKING: Eurofighter Typhoon Set to Fly Into the 2060s With Major Performance Upgrade The Eurofighter Typhoon could remain a frontline combat aircraft well into the 2060s following the development of a new Aerodynamic Modification Kit (AMK). The AMK is designed to extend the aircraft’s service life while significantly enhancing operational performance. Key improvements include faster integration of new weapons, certification of heavier external payloads, and better support for advanced air to air and air to surface munitions, including future long range and anti radiation missiles. From an aerodynamic standpoint, the upgrade introduces modifications to the fuselage fairings, flaperons, and wing root leading edges, increasing maximum lift and improving maneuverability, especially in close range air combat and high load configurations. The program is being developed jointly by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, reinforcing long term industrial cooperation within Europe’s defense sector. Officials involved in the program state the AMK will ensure the Typhoon remains operationally relevant and combat effective for decades. Currently operated by nine countries, with Turkey set to become the tenth, the Eurofighter fleet has surpassed one million flight hours worldwide. With these upgrades, the Typhoon is expected to continue serving as a core pillar of European air defense through mid century and beyond.

Six F-35B have deployed to reinforce RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Two Voyagers and ten Typhoons also at Akrotiri. (Src: @ArmchairAdml)

Really impressive video of a Shahed being shot down by an F-16 fighter jet from the 107th Aviation Wing of the Ukrainian Air Force. The interception was carried out using the aircraft’s M61A1 Vulcan onboard rotary cannon.

Yikes - Original headline was wrong (said Typhoon fighter jets.....) and the photos still are I'm afraid. It's actually 6 x F-35B sent to Cyprus!! RAF sends fighter jets to Cyprus as fears grow of US strike on Iran mol.im/a/15537729 via @DailyMail

Newcastle United fans drove Sir Bobby Robson out of the club because 5th was perceived to be a failure after 3rd and 4th the previous two season and went into decline immediately. Kevin Keegan quit, exhausted, saying he’d taken the club as far as he could. Eddie Howe has achieved more than both of them. He’s hurting now. Booed off, having to take the blame for everything that’s happened over the last two years. So, take a moment and ask, who could be better? If you can’t cut the most successful manager the club has had for 70 years some slack and give him some time to get things right… #nufc

@Defence_Index Interesting change of the previous narrative by team Gripen. Can't help but wonder what forced the pivot.

🇨🇦🇸🇪 BREAKING: Canada is not expected to cancel its F-35 program in favor of the Gripen, according to Mikael Franzen, Chief Marketing Officer at Gripen Saab. However, Franzen says adding Gripen jets alongside the F-35s could give Canada significant combat mass, enhancing the country’s overall air power and operational flexibility. This comes amid ongoing discussions about modernizing Canada’s fighter fleet and balancing cost, capability, and strategic needs.

Love this! Joining the RAF Air Cadets fuelled my passion for aviation and led me to a 30-year career in the industry. ✈️ #AirCadets #Aviation

Must-read for #avgeeks: @jamie_aviacom dives into the iconic F-16 and its second coming in Europe. Proven combat capability in contested environments that competitors can only dream of. #avgeek twz.com/sponsored-cont…

@JSS779 I think almost everyone does. I generally park myself at the coffee shop which is up near the usual BA boarding gates. It’s not great but it’s better than that lounge.

@flyingjok Lol. I've always managed to get a seat but tbh I'd be better off sitting at the gate 😂 Do QR use this lounge too?

We endure another visit to the world's most desperate airport lounge. Cuddles can't take much more of this...