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Up-and-Coming Aircraft

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Up-and-Coming Aircraft

By Mark Scott

The Paris Air Show is the highlight of the aerospace calendar. Company executives, trade associations, and the media gather to talk shop, meet clients, and, most important, sign deals. All this is done in the shadow of some of the world's most expensive and high-tech planes. On deck: the Airbus A380, Boeing's 777 freighter, and a slew of military aircraft that would make even Top Gun pilots envious. These flying machines may grab most of the attention, but smaller companies also showcase their planes in the hopes of penning multimillion-dollar deals. From Poland's Aero and its AT-3 trainer to India's Hindustan Aeronautics and its HAL Druvh helicopter, to the Pilatus PC 12 (shown above), there's a lot more to the Paris Air Show than just the likes of Airbus and Boeing.

Click on to check out which small aircraft makers are trying to make it big at this year's Paris Air Show.