During the recent Balkan unpleasantness, the C-17 Globemaster II flew 57% of the airlift missions including all of the flights into Tirana. It set new records for arriving on time in a combat theater.--Stephen V Cole

The last 300 of the ancient 707 airliners (and military derivatives) may keep flying a few years longer. Pratt & Whitney has test-flown its popular JT8D-219 engine in a 707, which required no airframe modifications. The more powerful engine gives greater speed and range while using less fuel and lowering other operating costs.--Stephen V Cole