Precision Castparts Corp. (PCP) is again strengthening its market position, by acquiring Titanium Metals Corp. (Timet), the largest independent manufacturer in the U.S. of titanium billets used in aerospace structures.

Not long ago, it was in vogue to talk about the coming end of the Boeing-Airbus duopoly in the commercial jet market, with the impending arrival of a new generation of competitors such as China's Comac and Russia's United Aircraft Corp. (UAC). Regional-jet pioneer Bombardier had already leaped into head-on competition in the narrowbody market with its CSeries jet, and many industry observers speculated that it was only a matter of time before Embraer moved into larger models.

It has been obvious since a number of countries threatened serious retaliation against Europe's Emissions Trading System (ETS) that the European Commission would have to find a way to back away from its plans in their current form with the least embarrassment. The shelving of parts of the contentious European Union ETS creates an opportunity to settle the dispute. But it is far from certain that a global scheme will be created.

Aircraft orders from China are often political decisions, and that is also the case with the C919, for which the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) received a flurry of orders at the Zhuhai air show Nov. 13-18. The numbers look less impressive, though, if one examines who the buyers are and why they ordered the aircraft: Hebei Airlines and Joy Air each signed for 20, and GE Capital Aviation Services (Gecas) for 10.

Tough economic times force innovation and make airline and aftermarket businesses evaluate what is core to their strategy. At the same time, next-gen aircraft and engine technology is forcing major industry changes. What do you want your business to be doing in five years and what are you doing now to ensure you will get to that point? Here are a few market dynamics to think about:

Regional jet retirements limit MRO opportunities.

New technology and methods forge a template for future training, but challenges and cost concerns remain.

Washington FAA will not change the cargo flight deck security requirements that give operators a choice between a reinforced barrier or a clearly defined security procedure to keep intruders and explosives off of their aircraft.