Fuelling Optimism

At Farnborough International Airshow, the buzz was more about agreements and technology than airframes, reports Alan Peaford from London

Trevor sidebottom looked out From a balcony over the sea of chalets to focus on the runway where the lights were barely visible—this, in the middle of the afternoon. Ominous black skies that had unburdened itself over southern England enough to force an unprecedented cancellation of the Royal International Air Tattoo, hung menacingly over Farnborough. Quite like the gloom hanging over the aerospace industry with the $140 (Rs 5,875)-a-barrel oil price hitting home, observed the Managing Director of show organiser Farnborough International Limited wryly, voicing a concern clouding the Farnborough International Airshow, the world’s second largest industry trade event held from July 14 to 20.

Sunday, July 13. Hours away from the Red Arrows display team and, rather bizarrely, a Formula One racing driver strutting their stuff on and above that runway, the air was punctuated with question marks. But what a difference a day makes. Twenty four hours later, Sidebottom was rubbing his hands with glee. Racing driver Hamilton had blasted down the runway to beat a Learjet 60XR less than 500 ft above him. America’s latest showpiece—the F-22 Raptor—had done what it failed to do at Fairford and put on a magnificent display. Elsewhere, the big two civil manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, were pumping hands with sheikhs as potentially the world’s biggest ever order by a single airline was confirmed.
In short, it was business as usual.

Farnborough was celebrating its 60th anniversary on the airfield that 100 years ago was the birthplace of British aviation. There was a time when only newly certificated aircraft or those in late development were allowed slots in the flying display. Today, that is very different. There are many familiar outlines gracing the skies, but little that is new. Indeed, there was a markedly different atmosphere at this grand old lady of events. The excitement was far more about agreements and technology than airframes. The collaboration in the chalets and the supply chain meetings in the packed halls were the real driver of this show.