All Opinion articles – Page 34
-
OpinionOPINION: Breaking records is no longer simply about doing things better
Setting records can be much harder than it looks. In this age of big budgets, high technology, computer simulation and exotic materials, it can take some doing to convince people that doing something new was in fact difficult – not to mention dangerous.
-
OpinionOPINION: UK's MFTS process could be replicated internationally
According to an old military maxim, it is essential to “train as you fight”, if an armed service is to remain effective under the toughest of operating conditions.
-
OpinionOPINION: Can Russian-Chinese widebody project take off?
Russia and China may be inching closer to what could be the most ambitious aircraft programme of the next decade: a jointly developed widebody.
-
OpinionOPINION: Rolls-Royce must think big after profits warning
Rolls-Royce, says its finance director David Smith, is “seeing the negative effects of a very successful outcome last year”. For sure, to be a victim of success is better than being a victim of failure, but it would be happier times for the world’s number two aero engine maker if ...
-
OpinionOPINION: Ageing US nuclear bombers not fit for a superpower
The United States’ nuclear bomber force has something of a morale problem.
-
OpinionOPINION: Flightdeck doors highlight the safety/security dilemma
Safety and security have long formed a comforting alliterative pairing in airline circles – which disguises the fact that they’re not necessarily the same thing.
-
OpinionOPINION: First 'ski-jump' test for F-35B is good news for UK
Over the course of little more than one week, the UK’s carrier-based aviation ambitions have at last become almost tangible.
-
OpinionOPINION: Boeing set for crisis-free chief executive switch
Jim McNerney’s announced plan to step aside as chief executive affords Boeing a smooth leadership transition at the top of the company for the first time since 1996.
-
OpinionOPINION: Freight regrets for Airbus
Since Airbus handed over the last A300-600F in 2007 its freighter strategy has been far more miss than hit.
-
OpinionOPINION: Were there really no surprises at Le Bourget?
It was supposed to be the “industrialisation” air show at Le Bourget this year.
-
OpinionOPINION: How feasible is a 757 replacement?
There would have to be a market of at least 2,000 aircraft to prompt one of the big airframers to launch a product to fill the middle-of-the-market gap between their largest narrowbodies and smallest twin-aisles, Flightglobal's Ascend consultancy concludes in a new white paper.
-
OpinionOPINION: Rate 60 – a narrowbody rate too far?
Airline traffic will need to keep growing aggressively to the end of the decade to absorb production rates of 60 narrowbodies a month by each of the big two manufacturers.
-
OpinionOPINION: Why Dassault's wide-cabin 5X will succeed
The industry got its first glimpse of the all-new and eagerly-anticipated Falcon 5X at a dedicated roll-out ceremony on 2 June.
-
OpinionOPINION: After a $100bn spend, it's time for F-35 to deliver
More than $100 billion has already been spent on developing, testing, fixing and producing about 130 Lockheed Martin F-35s for the US government. In a few weeks or months, the US taxpayer also will have the first 10 combat-ready F-35Bs for that investment.
-
OpinionOPINION: Appreciating the depreciation conundrum
Ascend's head of consultancy Rob Morris weighs in on recent suggestions that the assumed economic life of an aircraft should be reduced to 18 years
-
OpinionOPINION: Supply chain faces difficult decisions
To John Leahy, consultants who warn of a perilous orders bubble are the equivalent of armchair generals, spouting sceptically on an army’s military achievements from the comfort of their firesides while the real generals do the hard work of winning the war. “They don’t know what they’re talking about,” he ...
-
Opinion
OPINION: The trials and tribulations of Canada's procurement process
In a country as wild – and in parts inhospitable – as Canada, and with a coastline that stretches far up into the Arctic, a fleet of search and rescue aircraft as rugged as the landscape is vital.
-
OpinionOPINION: Why Europe is lagging behind with MALE ambitions
The governments of France, Germany and Italy have signed a declaration of intent to proceed with a study to define a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned air vehicle, to bring an end to European reliance on foreign designs.
-
OpinionOPINION: Why business jet builders must keep their nerve
Business jet buyers are a fickle lot. Most airlines expect a new commercial aircraft to provide reliable service for at least 12 years before a replacement is even considered. But the average owner of a corporate aircraft starts looking for an upgrade in about half that time.
-
Opinion
OPINION: Disruption management in the social media age
I heaved a sigh of relief as I heard the satisfying beep of the reader the agent used to scan my boarding pass. I had made my Air France flight to Paris, but just by a whisker, after the gate was officially closed on the departure displays.