The golden age of aviation, once again?

The era between 1920's and mid-1930 was known as "the golden age", because, for one thing, the civilian planes were faster, flew higher, or farther than any military aircraft. Since then, it has changed.

But now, the fastest. highest-flying craft will be again a civilian. (Orbital stuff not counting, obviously...)

How about this for one of the catches to keep the media attention a bit longer?

I agree. Obviously, the XPRIZE organization and each team will publicize each record broken for speed, altitude, number of passengers, etc. As multiple companies make attempts toward suborbital flight and as the records keep falling, media attention will follow.

Then again maybe, the first XPRIZE Cup will be perfectly timed in 2005 or so to build on this media attention by breaking more records.