The year 2001 has finally arrived, and while we may not have a moon base or manned expeditions to the planets yet, some of the technology flying -- or soon to be -- in business aircraft would have delighted Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke when they were filming ``2001: A Space Odyssey'' in the 1960s. On a more down-to-earth level, strategic alliances and mergers continue to reshape the business aviation landscape.

Some readers may be surprised to find Honeywell's AirSat1 satcom telephone system listed in the Satcom table again this year. It turns out that the reports of the demise of the Iridium satcom system were premature. The Iridium constellation of 76 satellites, which was virtually at the point of being turned to toast when the spacecraft were to be de-orbited in summer 2000, has been rescued by the Pentagon under a two-year, $72 million deal, which will guarantee a maximum of 20,000 users, and cover up to 60 percent of Iridium's operating costs.

Here's a fact that will make you feel good: According to Robert P. Mark, author of Professional Pilot Career Guide, some 12,000 pilot jobs were filled this year. While the numbers are forecast to decrease after 2000, the industry will still require some 8,000 to 9,000 pilots per year until 2007 as Vietnam War-era pilots begin to retire in droves.