All articles by Flight International – Page 15
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Opinion
OPINION: A350-1000 order swaps are no reason for panic - yet
Airbus would undoubtedly have preferred that two high-profile conversions away from its newest aircraft, the A350-1000, had not emerged within a week of one another. But the big league, with its big money, has no place for those short on resilience.
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OpinionOPINION: Can software shift safeguard USAF's air dominance?
As the US Air Force contemplates how to field a next-generation air dominance capability by 2030, a key piece of the puzzle may have just come to light.
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Opinion
OPINION: Why Boeing opposes UTC-Collins merger
If any two companies ought to enjoy a close relationship, it is Boeing and United Technologies. From 1929 to 1934, Boeing and UTC even belonged to the same company: United Aircraft & Transport. Decades later, many of UTC's products – including the electric power and generation system for the 787 ...
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Opinion
OPINION: Supply chain consolidation looms
On the face of it, our new ranking of the world’s largest aerospace businesses shows a sector cruising along comfortably and little changed in composition from the previous 12 months. All but one of last year’s 100 highest flyers retained their status in the elite club and – while revenues ...
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Opinion
OPINION: Collision highlights need to heed obvious precedents
Almost nine years to the day after Gol 1907 spiralled into the Brazilian jungle, crippled by a mid-air collision, only fortuitous geometry spared a second 737-800 a similar fate over Senegal.
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Opinion
OPINION: Evidence, not emotion, should steer the search for MH370
For two centuries a small island off the coast of Nova Scotia has lured treasure-seekers convinced that a fortune is buried in a deep hollow within its shores.
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OpinionOPINION: How Cirrus made its Vision Jet a reality
When Cirrus handed over the first SF50 Vision Jet to its proud owner last December, its relief was palpable.
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OpinionOPINION: Has London City debut put CSeries on right approach?
Increment by increment, Bombardier is chalking up the operational achievements with its CSeries.
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OpinionOPINION: Dreamliner break-even remains a moving target
If industry forecasts are reliable, there are about $5-6 trillion in aircraft deals available for the taking over the next 20 years, but the number that is reshaping the industry right now is a more modest $28.6 billion.
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OpinionOPINION: Can Boeing beat its suppliers in avionics power play?
To loosely paraphrase a saying attributed to Sir Winston Churchill, never waste a good crisis – or a new aircraft development programme.
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OpinionOPINION: Can ATR relive its American dream?
ATR has finally secured a US order, 20 years on from its last one. This will be music to the ears of the manufacturer’s executives – not least because it will end constant questions about when the company would be back in the US market.
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OpinionOPINION: Will USAF's light-attack trial rekindle warrior spirit?
As it follows the elevation from Western Front trenches to air corps fame – or infamy – of German corporal Bruno Stachel, the 1966 film The Blue Max debunks many myths of chivalry and aerial combat.
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OpinionOPINION: Can Russia challenge Boeing in middle of the market?
Russia’s United Aircraft and the USA’s Boeing now agree on at least one point of their commercial product strategies: the “middle of the market” gap is real, and it is huge.
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Opinion
OPINION: Will Franco-German fighter be a winner?
Only a month ago, the suggestion of fierce fighter manufacturing rivals France and Germany joining formation to develop a successor to the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon felt like industry kite-flying.
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Opinion
OPINION: UK industry needs Brexit clarity
Brexit means Brexit, UK prime minister Theresa May infamously explained. What Brexit means for aviation and aerospace is far from certain.
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OpinionOPINION: Norwegian follows in Sir Freddie's footsteps
Since the barnstorming days of Sir Freddie Laker’s Skytrain, various airlines have tried to operate or talked up the potential of low-cost transatlantic services – with limited success.
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OpinionOPINION: Will Russia's gamble on aerospace exports backfire?
Russia has turboprops, regional jets, narrow bodies and – alone and in partnership with China – widebodies in production or development. It also is working on new high-bypass turbofan engines for single- and twin-aisle aircraft. And the government is encouraging a newly consolidated cadre of systems integrators to displace Western ...
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Opinion
OPINION: Industry must walk before it runs
Aside from the excitement of the 737 Max 10 launch, the recent Paris air show was notable for the sense that the industry is already growing weary from aggressive programme ramp-ups.
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Opinion
OPINION: American has justifiable questions over Qatar investment
Like him or loathe him, there is never a dull moment with Qatar Airways chief Akbar Al Baker around.
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Opinion
OPINION: How technology tantalised at Le Bourget
A 3D-printed, hybrid electric-powered, autonomous and supersonic jet – although unlikely – would perfectly symbolise the new technology on display at Le Bourget this year.