21.   Its managers come out of the insurance and charter aircraft businesses.

22.   Lockheed said recently that the booming commercial aircraft business is too important to ignore.

23.   Merrill analyst Hayes said that Daimler might be able to rescue its aircraft business within two to three years.

24.   McDONNELL PROFIT TOPS FORECASTS McDonnell Douglas reported a rise in earnings on improved performance by its military and commercial aircraft businesses.

25.   Plaul said the company is working to improve the profitability of the aircraft accessories business, and that all four units contributed to the first quarter pretax profit.

26.   Rumors suggest the commercial aircraft business is on the block, too.

27.   Service contracts are a fast-growing part of the aircraft engine business.

28.   Some analysts believe the company would be forced to consolidate its aircraft business, now split among Georgia, Texas and California.

29.   Stonecipher admitted that McDonnell Douglas has a tough battle ahead to convince airline customers that its commercial aircraft business is not going away.

30.   Still, its other aircraft component businesses are sound, including its galley products group which has a plant in Delray Beach, Fla.