Ask the Editors

Ask the Editors: Software has made great strides, but pilots are still needed to handle complex missions in the real world.

Ask the Editors: Subscribers can view the full archive of our print issues.

Ask the editors: Despite massive overcapacity of aircraft now, airlines do have incentives to retain at least some orders.

Ask the Editors: The entire air transport industry is concerned about ensuring the risk of transmission is at the absolute minimum.

Ask the Editors: MRO activity is down due to the outbreak of COVID-19, but the military segment has been spared the brunt of the blow.

Ask the Editors: The rest of this year will be relatively quiet for MROs, but then the return will start happening in 2021.

Ask the Editors: Boeing cannot use the KDC-10 Tanker Remote Vision System because it does not meet Air Force tech specs for the KC-46.

Ask the Editors: The A220-500 would be great strategic asset for Airbus in its competition with Boeing and the 737 MAX.

Ask the Editors: The problem with electric taxi motors is the ratio of benefit to cost in commercial operations.

Ask the Editors: The long time it takes to process tests is one of the biggest hurdles now. IATA hopes a test that meets this and other concerns will be available soon.

Ask the Editors: Mitsubishi’s inexperience with developing commercial aircraft has led to a series of delays in its regional jet program.

Ask the Editors: Given current high production rates, it is unlikely there will be a shortage of widebody capacity.

Ask the Editors: NASA has continued its exploration blueprints by building support among both Democratic and Republican legislators.

Ask the Editors: Consolidation among major carriers working with regionals will bring long overdue streamlining to the aviation industry.

Ask the Editors: Aviation Week reduced its 10-year forecast for new commercial aircraft by 30%, representing a 34% drop in dollar value.

Ask the Editors: Minimizing an aircraft’s cross-section is not necessary for all missions, and many weapons can be carried internally.

Ask the Editors: Embraer will continue to develop the E175-E2, although its planned entry-into-service timeline has been delayed to 2023.

Ask the Editors: Industry has done a superb job in putting safety measures first, but a lousy job at relaying efforts to the public.

Ask the Editors: It is more destabilizing if our adversaries have them and we don’t.

Ask the Editors: The outlook for air cargo in coming years will be closely linked to the global economy, and industry will have to adapt.

Ask the Editors: Short-term defense spending appears stable, but cuts over the next five years may delay Air Force programs such as NGAD.

Ask the Editors: Aviation in Argentina and across almost all of Latin America is in critical condition. Governments have provided little-to-no financial aid for airlines.

Ask the Editors: Chinese military aircraft could benefit from Western engine technology, but there is a limit to what can be leveraged.

Ask the Editors: Railways and airlines may be moving toward stability in their shares of traffic.

Ask the Editors: China is squeezing out foreign airframe makers but still relies on Western engine and onboard suppliers—for now.