Forging an integrated engine company out of the various Chinese government businesses will be a huge managerial challenge. Design institutes and factories are scattered across the country, and Chinese state organizations are jealous of their autonomy.

Airbus backs community-designed carmaker; Europe’s laminar wings progress; Ceramic nanoparticles make metal stronger; Smart bomb navigates by vision; Ducted-fan VTOL AirMule flies.

With more than $18 million pledged through a crowdfunding campaign, startup XTI Aircraft moves ahead with bold plans to develop a ducted-fan vertical-takeoff business aircraft.

NASA, which invested $400 million in the project on top of a further $250 million invested by industry partners, says the potential payback to airlines could be significant.

Aviation is, by and large, an incredibly safe mode of transportation. But it wasn’t always so, and there are challenges coming soon. Join Editors Jim Asker, John Croft and Bill Sweetman as they discuss the history and future of aviation safety and read the special report.

Although the geared turbofan (GTF) is certified and meets all performance requirements, originally scheduled A320neo launch operator Qatar Airways flagged the start issue as a reason for not taking delivery of the aircraft as planned in December.

Air travel could not have grown without getting safer, and some safety innovations were more important than others.

Debate swirls around the right way forward for air safety. But the history of air safety shows that debates and mysteries are part of the process.