COLORADO SPRINGS National Transportation Safety Board investigators are initially focusing on a possible loss of cabin pressurization as they probe the mystery of a Learjet 35 that flew across the central U.S. for hours last week, apparently on autopilot and unattended by its two disabled pilots.

TOULOUSE, FRANCE The Airbus Military Co.’s partners are prepared to invest $6 billion to quickly launch the A400M military transport on a commercial basis. First delivery in 2006 is foreseen, on the condition that seven European nations tentatively planning to buy a total of 288 turboprop-powered airlifters sign firm commitments in the next few weeks.

London Rolls-Royce is assuming full control of its joint engine venture with BMW, while the German automotive company will raise its stake in the British company to slightly more than 10% from 2%. BMW will continue as a risk and revenue sharing partner in the BR700 engine family, which now has orders valued at more than DM4 billion ($2.2 billion) and is shifting from development into production.