Sikorsky Aircraft is bringing oil and gas platform operations into the 21st century with a new satellite-based approach system that takes the human calculation and guesswork out of legacy rig approaches in instrument conditions and at night. The system offers operators an automated arrival tool to reduce crew loading while increasing situational awareness.

Legacy airlines in Europe and Asia have long recognized the Persian Gulf carriers as a major threat. Now the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are exploring an open-skies agreement that they hope will help defend their position and stop leakage of traffic to the three big Middle East hub airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.

AgustaWestland, Airbus and Bell will make their mark this year with a new class of commercial helicopter. Described as the super-mediums, the light-heavies and even the intermediate-heavies, the AW189, EC175 and Bell 525 Relentless will target what is likely to become a crowded market. While all three have approached it from a different perspective, and each comes with its own unique selling points, the biggest question is, who will steal the crown?

The training center for Azul and Trip is part of fusion plan.

As the civil helicopter industry everywhere continues to expand and support economic growth, inconsistent safety methods and programs remain a stumbling block in many nations. Too often, growth in helicopter operations also means an increase in accidents.

With Jack Wadell and Brian Wygle at the controls, the Boeing 747 took off for its first flight from Everett on Feb. 9, 1969. Read Aviation Week's analysis.

Bombardier executives report that the first flight of the company’s all-new Learjet 85 is “very close,” but the manufacturer does not plan to determine a certification and delivery schedule until the aircraft has flown for a few months. While the company makes final preparations for the first flight, it continues to progress toward certification this year of the Challenger 350 and final designs for its top-of-the-line Global 7000 and 8000 programs.

Bombardier, which missed its targets for business jet deliveries in 2013 with the delays in the Learjet 70/75 program, is expecting those shipments to increase by more than 10% in 2014. Bombardier is forecasting that it will deliver 200 business jets in 2014, up from 180 in 2013.