Japan’s IHI Corp. has resumed some operations at its two aero-engine factories in Soma and hopes to get its whole operation at the earthquake-struck city back on line by May. Progressive repair work is under way at the Soma No. 1 and No. 2 Aero-Engine works, says an official from IHI’s aero-engine and space operations. Damage in some parts of the factories was relatively light. Production has partly resumed in those areas, including the machining of engine disks, says the official.

Comac and Bombardier could eventually modify all four of their commercial aircraft models to create an integrated family, with cockpit commonality for the C919 and CSeries an early focus. Help from Bombardier in development of the Comac C919 could also be part of the potentially far-reaching cooperative relationship that the two companies will explore under a framework agreement signed March 23, says Benjamin Boehm, Bombardier’s VP for international business. Substantive contracts on points of cooperation should appear over the coming year.

EXTRA C-17: Australia’s fifth C-17 Globemaster will be an addition to Boeing’s order book, the U.S. manufacturer says, clarifying uncertainty arising from the possibility of Canberra taking an aircraft allocated to the U.S. Air Force. The deputy chief of the Royal Australian Air Force had said a C-17 already being built for the U.S. Air Force could be diverted to fill Australia’s requirement. While that seemed to leave open the possibility that Boeing would not get an extra order, a company official confirms that it will.