Editorial opinion – Page 27
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OpinionOPINION: Can Russian-Chinese widebody project take off?
Russia and China may be inching closer to what could be the most ambitious aircraft programme of the next decade: a jointly developed widebody.
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OpinionOPINION: Rolls-Royce must think big after profits warning
Rolls-Royce, says its finance director David Smith, is “seeing the negative effects of a very successful outcome last year”. For sure, to be a victim of success is better than being a victim of failure, but it would be happier times for the world’s number two aero engine maker if ...
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OpinionOPINION: Ageing US nuclear bombers not fit for a superpower
The United States’ nuclear bomber force has something of a morale problem.
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OpinionOPINION: First 'ski-jump' test for F-35B is good news for UK
Over the course of little more than one week, the UK’s carrier-based aviation ambitions have at last become almost tangible.
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OpinionOPINION: Boeing set for crisis-free chief executive switch
Jim McNerney’s announced plan to step aside as chief executive affords Boeing a smooth leadership transition at the top of the company for the first time since 1996.
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OpinionOPINION: Freight regrets for Airbus
Since Airbus handed over the last A300-600F in 2007 its freighter strategy has been far more miss than hit.
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OpinionOPINION: Were there really no surprises at Le Bourget?
It was supposed to be the “industrialisation” air show at Le Bourget this year.
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OpinionOPINION: Why Dassault's wide-cabin 5X will succeed
The industry got its first glimpse of the all-new and eagerly-anticipated Falcon 5X at a dedicated roll-out ceremony on 2 June.
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OpinionOPINION: After a $100bn spend, it's time for F-35 to deliver
More than $100 billion has already been spent on developing, testing, fixing and producing about 130 Lockheed Martin F-35s for the US government. In a few weeks or months, the US taxpayer also will have the first 10 combat-ready F-35Bs for that investment.
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OpinionOPINION: Supply chain faces difficult decisions
To John Leahy, consultants who warn of a perilous orders bubble are the equivalent of armchair generals, spouting sceptically on an army’s military achievements from the comfort of their firesides while the real generals do the hard work of winning the war. “They don’t know what they’re talking about,” he ...
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Opinion
OPINION: The trials and tribulations of Canada's procurement process
In a country as wild – and in parts inhospitable – as Canada, and with a coastline that stretches far up into the Arctic, a fleet of search and rescue aircraft as rugged as the landscape is vital.
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OpinionOPINION: Why Europe is lagging behind with MALE ambitions
The governments of France, Germany and Italy have signed a declaration of intent to proceed with a study to define a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned air vehicle, to bring an end to European reliance on foreign designs.
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OpinionOPINION: Why business jet builders must keep their nerve
Business jet buyers are a fickle lot. Most airlines expect a new commercial aircraft to provide reliable service for at least 12 years before a replacement is even considered. But the average owner of a corporate aircraft starts looking for an upgrade in about half that time.
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OpinionOPINION: Why Pilatus, Antonov gambles have different stakes
First flights appear to be like London buses: you wait ages for one and then two come along at once.
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Opinion
OPINION: Airbus hit hard by A400M tragedy
Disaster struck the A400M programme on 9 May, when an aircraft due to be delivered to the Turkish air force in June crashed shortly after starting its first flight from Airbus’s final assembly site in Seville. Four of the six flight-test personnel on board the military transport tragically lost their ...
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OpinionOPINION: No more near misses
The FAA should be commended for allowing further cautious airspace use by unmanned air vehicles, but its previous inaction put too many lives at risk
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Opinion
OPINION: Why the US military must do more with less
Another 2,000 aircraft are projected to exit the US military’s inventory over the next decade. For the fleets of many countries, this would be an existential crisis. But this is the American fleet, so it is only a 15% cut.
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OpinionOPINION: Can we all learn to love Ryanair?
Is Michael O’Leary a sinner come to repentance? For years, Ryanair seemed to delight in being vile to customers. Cheap fares, an extensive network, modern (if frill-free) aircraft and punctual service kept punters rolling in. But few would have professed any kind of warm feelings to Europe’s biggest short-haul airline.
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Opinion
OPINION: In robot wars, manned and unmanned systems must merge
The US Navy claimed an aviation first after an unmanned demonstrator was refuelled in flight, but budget pressures will see it trail the army in using such equipment operationally
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Opinion
OPINION: Rafale buy gives India a fighting chance
Seasoned watchers of India’s slow-moving defence procurement system noted the three-year anniversary earlier this year of its selection of the Dassault Rafale, at a time when a contract signature seemed to be barely a blip on the radar screen.