There may be relief in sight for business aircraft operators saddled with sobering hikes in insurance premiums since the deepening of the recession and the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Depending on whom you talk to, there has been either a tapering off of increases in premium renewals or actual decreases since January for operators of turbine-powered, professionally crewed aircraft.

Few developments have had the impact on business aviation -- or generated as much controversy and misunderstanding within the industry -- as fractional aircraft ownership.

cabotage (ka b-tazh) n.(1) Trade or navigation in coastal waters. (2) The exclusive right of a country to operate the air traffic within its territory. [French, from caboter, to sail along a coast, perhaps from Spanish cabo, cape, from Latin caput, head.]