Deregulation, higher costs, foreign competition, and financial risks are causing profound changes in civil aviation. These trends are reviewed along with growing federal involvement in trade, technology transfer, technological developments in airframes and propulsion, and military-civil aviation relationships. Policy options to preserve the strength and effectiveness of civil aircraft manufacturing are offered.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
BACKGROUND
Foreign Competition
Internationalization of Aircraft Manufacture
COMPETITIVE ASSESSMENT OF TECHNOLOGY
Aerodynamics
Propulsion Integration
Facilities
Growing Involvement of Governments in Trade
Export Credit Financing
Smaller Aircraft
International Trade, Technology Transfer, National Security, and Diplomacy
Achieving Synergy Between National Security and Civil Aviation
Maintaining Momentum in R&D
Managing Human Resources
NOTES
1 - Overview of the U.S. Civil Aviation Manufacturing Industry
THE INDUSTRY AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE ECONOMY
ECONOMICS OF THE INDUSTRY
TECHNOLOGY BASE
CONTRIBUTION OF THE INDUSTRY TO NATIONAL SECURITY
REASONS FOR PAST SUCCESS OF THE INDUSTRY
NOTES
System Development
Airline Restructuring - Deregulation
Major Airlines
Regional Airlines
Large Transports
Rotorcraft
Regional Transports
Business Aircraft
Light Aircraft
Emerging Competition from Japan
U.S. Content in Foreign Aircraft
GROWING IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
ESCALATING RISK
INTERNATIONALIZATION OF AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURING
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE INDUSTRY
MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES
PRESERVING HUMAN RESOURCES
NOTES
IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT
IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS
Providing More Flexible and Timely Response
FINANCING
LARGE AIRCRAFT
Small Aircraft
NOTES
CONTROLLING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
Licensing and Coproduction
Japanese-American Cooperation
Interaction with Foreign Policy
Achieving Balance in Controlling Technology Transfer
Dual Use
Timing of Procurement
NOTES
5 - Competitive Assessment of Technology
AIRFRAME AND FULLY ASSEMBLED AIRCRAFT
Status of Technology Design Techniques
Aerodynamics
Advanced Structures
Propulsion Integration
Avionics
Research Capabilities
Employment
Facilities
Status of Technology
Rolls Royce Engine Technologies and Programs
MTU Engine Technologies and Programs
Volvo Flygmotor Engine Technologies and Programs
Japanese Engine Industry Technologies and Programs
Status of General Aviation, Regional, and Rotorcraft Propulsion
Manpower
International Joint Ventures to Develop and Produce Commercial Transport Aircraft Engines
MAINTAINING MOMENTUM IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Role of NASA
Role of FAA
NOTES
6 - Key Policy Issues
TRADE POLICY
BALANCING ECONOMIC AND SECURITY INTERESTS IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
MAINTAINING MOMENTUM IN R&D
ACHIEVING SYNERGY BETWEEN NATIONAL SECURITY AND CIVIL AVIATION
MANAGING IN THE NEW ENVIRONMENT
NOTE