Our cover story this week (Flight International 9 October) asks what lessons aerospace can learn from the achievements of Solar Impulse, the Swiss-based project which aims to send a manned solar-powered aircraft around the world. Dan Thisdell has been to visit the company's founders to talk to them about the real reasons behind their efforts.
Ahead of the Japanese air show we ask whether the country has its air defence and aerospace industrial policies right when it comes to countering threats from China. Is it time for Tokyo to abandon its long-held determination to produce its own military aircraft programmes? Greg Waldron reports.
And there is also an update on Japan's first home-built civil aircraft in a long time, the Mitsubishi Regional Jet. Despite an order from Skywest, the MRJ still faces a herculean struggle for market acceptance.
In news: Qatar Airways' chief executive Akbar Al Baker accuses Boeing of failing the airline over delays to its Boeing 787s; the business aviation community reacts to comments by President Barack Obama about taxing corporate aircraft; and the ailing pilots who battled to land an A319.
Plus: if you are not a subscriber to Flight International, we have some great offers on the go, including for our new tablet format. Go to http://tinyurl.com/d4t4f4x
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