Chinese authorities have grounded a second small airline because of financial and management weakness, although one of the country’s largest carriers, Air China wants to take over the business. The Civil Aviation Administration of China ordered East Star Airlines to stop flying because it had failed to make an aircraft lease payment to General Electric Commercial Aviation Service, says an official from the carrier’s home town, the big central city Wuhan. East Star has 10 Airbus A320 family aircraft, all leased.

The mainline commercial aircraft China is developing will make its first flight in about eight years, says manufacturer Comac, suggesting the project has been advanced by a year or two. The company has completed the preliminary design and feasibility study for the airliner, which will be called the C919, says chief designer Wu Guanghui. Comac says it is looking for foreign suppliers, including engine makers, and will choose those contractors at an early stage in the development.

MELBOURNE, Australia – The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II may be redesigned to improve its ability to absorb heat from its electronics and systems. The aircraft is meeting the specification for thermal management, but the Joint Strike Fighter program’s deputy executive officer, Maj. Gen. David Heinz (select), says he is asking contractors to assess the costs of changes to give it a bigger margin over the requirement.