Entering the Civil Aircraft Industry

Book excerpt: Most countries aspire to have a civil aircraft industry, but even in the best of times, success at civil aircraft manufacturing is difficult. Technological barriers, governments, and geopolitical considerations are only the beginning of the challenges faced by those aspiring to join the industry. In fact, only four companies in the world (Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, and Embraer) have mastered manufacturing the extremely complex machines that are civil aircraft. In Entering the Civil Aircraft Industry: Business Realities at the Technological Frontier, Dr. Dean Roberts provides an insider’s perspective of this fascinating, multifaceted, and challenging industry using his more than thirty years of experience and interest in all aspects of the field. Using in-depth case studies, he examines the interplay of industrial policy, high technology, globalization, and business strategy on the field of civil jet aircraft manufacturing, seeking out the reasons for policy successes—and failures.