The training center for Azul and Trip is part of fusion plan.

As the civil helicopter industry everywhere continues to expand and support economic growth, inconsistent safety methods and programs remain a stumbling block in many nations. Too often, growth in helicopter operations also means an increase in accidents.

With Jack Wadell and Brian Wygle at the controls, the Boeing 747 took off for its first flight from Everett on Feb. 9, 1969. Read Aviation Week's analysis.

Bombardier executives report that the first flight of the company’s all-new Learjet 85 is “very close,” but the manufacturer does not plan to determine a certification and delivery schedule until the aircraft has flown for a few months. While the company makes final preparations for the first flight, it continues to progress toward certification this year of the Challenger 350 and final designs for its top-of-the-line Global 7000 and 8000 programs.

Bombardier, which missed its targets for business jet deliveries in 2013 with the delays in the Learjet 70/75 program, is expecting those shipments to increase by more than 10% in 2014. Bombardier is forecasting that it will deliver 200 business jets in 2014, up from 180 in 2013.

Part 135 operations, which posted a “banner year” in 2013, are on pace to carry that momentum into 2014, but Part 91 and fractional operations are expected to remain flat to down in the early part of 2014, business aviation analyst Argus forecasts. Argus, which tracks business aircraft arrival and departure information in the U.S. and Canada, found that despite a strong end to 2013, flight operations for the year were still down overall 0.3% from 2012.

An irony is playing out here over the U.S. government's fiscal 2015 budget: Not since the last recession ended has there been such widespread acknowledgement in Washington of where federal spending is headed, thanks to the so-called Ryan-Murray budget deal in December and 2014 appropriations, which became law Jan. 17. But Congress increasingly will be unable to do anything about it as 2014 continues.

Asia-Pacific interest focuses on A350, 787-9 as flight tests progress