With economic boom potential, FAA's chosen UAS test sites must first find funds to begin operations.

Cao Chunxiao's viewpoint on why delaying C919 first flight is sensible

What lower fuel costs would mean for aviation

Have biggest impact on Aerospace and Defense since 9/11

1984 A team of 10 managers starts work on a business plan for a new airline based in Dubai. 1985 Emirates is formally launched with Maurice Flanagan at the top. He has $10 million and five months to get the airline off the ground. Sheikh Ahmed bin Said Al Makhtoum and Tim Clark join. On Oct. 25, EK600 takes off from Dubai to Karachi, Emirates' first scheduled flight. The airline also flies to Mumbai and New Delhi.

Textron's Scorpion two-seat advanced trainer is now in the flight-test phase. The company's public relations efforts remain minimal, although this is a valuable initiative, company-funded programs of such magnitude being a rare occurrence. But can an all-new military aircraft expect export success in the absence of domestic orders? Can Textron overcome such a handicap ? On the opposite side of the Atlantic, Dassault Aviation has not developed the Alpha Jet's long-overdue successor: Perhaps they should talk and jointly create a global product.

Emirates ' Tim Clark shored up the A380 and helped launch the 777X. And that was just in one day.

Australia's new leadership faces some major aviation policy challenges this year. In each case, the government cannot avoid playing a key role—because even inaction or delay would have significant ramifications for the industry. However, the Liberal-National coalition elected in September has signaled that it will attempt to resolve these issues in 2014. Chief among them are the vexed question of a second major airport for Sydney, the elimination of a costly carbon tax and whether to give some form of aid to struggling Qantas.