WICHITA, KAN. At opposite ends of this city, two aircraft manufacturers are building corporate jets with near-identical cabin size, performance and price with each hoping its product, once in operation, will fare better in a difficult market.

USS IWO JIMA In an effort to resolve lingering flight control concerns and move ahead with the critical test program that could decide the fate of the MV-22 Osprey, the tiltrotor last week returned to sea for the first time since the resumption of flight testing.

NEW YORK Rockwell Collins Inc. last week posted flat year-over-year sales and net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2002, while Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC) reported a 19% drop in net income on an 18% decline in revenues. Despite these anemic results, both commercial aerospace suppliers produced clear evidence they are successfully managing their overall businesses through the worst aviation downturn since World War 2.

SAN FRANCISCO The Big Three engine makers will use manufacturing, fuel burn and environmental improvements they would have applied to the Sonic Cruiser as they answer Boeing’s call for powerplants for the 250-seat aircraft that will go instead.