Internal debate is raging over whether NASA has the right flight-research assets in place to test the array of technologies emerging in coming years from its Subsonic Fixed Wing and Environmentally Responsible Aviation programs. The only X-plane on the near horizon is the X-56A Multi-Use Technology Testbed, an unmanned aircraft built by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and expected to be handed over to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center by year-end.

With funding tight, NASA leaders say it's time to pick priorities.

Even though Russia bet heavily on Western turbofans to revive its commercial aerospace fortunes, the country has also continued to focus on bolstering its domestic aircraft engine industry. That effort is now a step closer with the Perm-based Aviadvigatel design bureau moving forward with development of the PD-14 turbofan to power Russia's new Irkut MS-21 narrowbody airliner. The aircraft also is being offered with the Pratt & Whitney PW1400G.

In Japan, it was last year's earthquake and tsunami; manufacturers worldwide are still recovering. In the U.S., a swarm of tornadoes ripping across Kansas—and striking Spirit AeroSystems—brought another reminder of just how vulnerable and vastly inter-connected the aviation's supply chain is to natural disasters.

Investors seem to believe that Textron Inc.'s darkest days are behind it. The share price of the 89-year-old parent company of Cessna Aircraft, Bell Helicopter and Textron Systems rose more than 50% during the first quarter of 2012. And while the stock has declined a bit in April, it has recovered from a slump that began a year ago, when it became apparent that a rebound in the lower end of the business jet market was further off than anticipated.

When it comes to ideal locations for engine icing tests, manufacturers seek out an environment that many others try to avoid—with long winters and prolonged cold temperatures.

If Air Canada and American Airlines outsource their airframe maintenance, where will it go? Which MROs have capacity? This subject, as well as what really happened at Aveos Fleet Performance, was the focus of many conversations during the MRO Americas Conference & Exhibition in Dallas in early April. Both carriers appear to be in the initial stages of exploring third-party MRO market capabilities and capacity.

Now it is official. Amid mounting evidence that China is serious about curing its weakness in engine technology, Avic says its highest priority in the coming years will be propulsion. The group has set a budget of 10 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) for aero-engine work over five years, though that figure is probably only a fraction of actual spending.