Kelly Ortberg became CEO of Rockwell Collins on Aug. 1

Rescuing Hikers

Sikorsky research program aims at autonomy for any vertical-lift vehicle, manned or unmanned.

Military controls airspace but may be scapegoat for rampant delays.

Europe's legacy airlines are in great danger and could disappear in the next 20 years, according to a French government-sponsored think tank, the Commissariat General a la Strategie et a la Prospective (CGSP). The analysis was headed by Claude Abraham, a highly respected expert who was in charge of the French civil aviation authority (DGAC) in the 1970s and 1980s. Now, in his capacity as the investigation team's coordinator, he reports directly to Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.

Maturing unmanned technology is fueling U.S. studies of how autonomy could benefit civil aviation, including the potential for reduced crewing on commercial aircraft and a future airspace system beyond NextGen. In a June presentation to senior industry and university representatives, NASA noted that “technology is not the overwhelming barrier” to using autonomy to enable single-pilot operations. Social acceptance, certification methods and cost-effective integration of air-ground technology and procedures are listed as the challenges.

Frequent fliers have long decried the poor service and uncomfortable cabins to be found on most U.S. airlines. But many carriers are now planning major improvements—particularly on key transcontinental routes. Over the next few years, passengers will be seeing drastic changes to the inflight experience. Some airlines are purchasing entirely new sub-fleets and others are completely overhauling their interiors and products.

Thirty House lawmakers signed a letter urging FAA to reverse course on its air traffic control charges for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., stepping up the political pressure on the agency as the event was set to open July 29.