All Nippon Airways intends to use leased Airbus A320s to set up a new Japan-based low-cost carrier, following the demise of joint-venture AirAsia Japan. ANA says the LCC will launch at the end of December with two A320s, and will have five by the end of March. ANA already has an agreement in place with AWAS to lease three A320s, and an ANA spokeswoman says they were originally earmarked for AirAsia Japan but will now be used in the new LCC operation.

Refreshing Cessna 172s to provide less expensive pilot training

As U.S. airlines report record profits, the big question is whether the industry is structurally reformed or if this is just the latest climb before the next extended slide. A key part of the answer will be the extent to which airlines adhere to the new religion of capacity constraint. After all, it is easy to keep a lid on capacity when times are tough, but it is a different proposition when the red ink recedes.

EADS has sought to be a broad and balanced aerospace group ever since its inception in 2000. That the group is now renamed Airbus—consolidating its weaker businesses—indicates it remains what it was: a commercial aircraft manufacturer with a defense/space and helicopter division.

When you operate the world's safest, most advanced and most lucrative aviation system—as the U.S. does—others are naturally going to want a piece of that pie. It is up to the U.S. government, therefore, not to slice it up at the expense of the American aviation industry and its workforce.

Unmanned systems are becoming more capable, to meet strictures of civilian operations

Expect shortage of 777 spares to last at least a couple more years

The coming generation of 90-seat turboprops will be more powerful than the aircraft now garnering the most orders, the ATR 72. But some of the intending manufacturers are pushing more than others for high power, and therefore high speed and fast climb—at the cost of fuel efficiency.