Will Farnborough 2006 be the World's Largest Air Show?

Will Farnborough 2006 be the World's Largest Air Show?

It may not seem so but Farnborough International Air Show 2006 "World's largest air show" is a little more than six weeks away, with the first day on Monday July 17 (The title is in dispute with a certain organization in France).

After a somewhat cloudy future in recent times, Farnborough International has now been spun off as an entirely separate division of the Society of British Aerospace Constructors (SBAC) and gives firm dates for the future including 2012, where it has been necessary to confirm contracts for specialized equipment that is likely to be in high demand, pre-Olympics. The 2008 show will celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight in the UK (Samuel Cody October 16 1908 on the Farnborough site).

The show now is virtually sold out with 112 new exhibitors and the 2004 record of 1,360 participants likely to be exceeded. 36 countries are represented with Greece, Spain and Mexico being along for the first time.

On Monday the show officially opens at 10.00 but will close early at 16.00 with a restricted air show. This is due to a new social event in the evening from 18.30 to 20.00 in the Great Hall of the Honorable Society of Lincoln's Inn in London. Guests will include senior international government and civil service personnel plus high-level aerospace industry representatives. During the reception the prestigious John Curtis Sword will be presented by McGraw Hill, publishers of Aviation Week, to an "Individual judged to have made a significant contribution to Anglo-American Airspace".

The following four days, Tuesday to Friday, are traditional trade days 09.30 until 17.30. In addition, Friday is also being designated International Youth Day. This innovative new feature, which has attracted significant industry and academia support, will result in around 1,250 young people from 15-23 years of age who are studying aerospace and engineering related courses, attending the show as a reward for achievement by their school, college or sponsoring company. There will be a full program of prearranged activities including a discussion with test pilots, scientists and journalists, who will talk about their experience, being involved in "build a plane" project, attempting to fly the latest aircraft simulators and naturally a guided tour of the exhibition halls and static display.

Careful thought has been given to the overall layout of the show ground. Farnborough regulars might find that their normal highlight has been moved. The Boeing sponsored press center goes upstairs in a major new development above Hall One, only to find that the Airbus A380 making its first full UK static appearance, is parked not far from the balcony. The executive aircraft static area has been made much larger, totaling around 30 aircraft. Over 160 planes of all types are scheduled to be on static/fly display during the week, a number that may rise further.

Whilst the Airbus A380 is bound to be the star attraction of 2006, also brand new is the Embraer 195, likely to be seen in the colors of FlyBE who will become the first operator later in the year. With the RAF Harrier as the perennial show stopper for the second half of the 20th Century, the new millennium star is likely to be the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt rotor museum machine, which after an eventful birth is now scheduled for delivery to the US armed forces. Another military aircraft due to make its first true public appearance in the UK is the RAF's Raytheon Sentinel R1 Astor Surveillance Aircraft, which will be on static display. It's a rather advanced Bombadier Global Express business jet aircraft. At the very noisy end of the spectrum is the MiG-29OVT, this is a thrust vectoring technology demonstration prototype for a possible later MiG fighter product such as the MiG-35. All of the long time favorites will be on display including the Airbus A319 and an A340-600, whilst Boeing will be exhibiting the 777-300 ER in the colors of EVA Air of Taiwan.

The executive aircraft park is extremely important and the British debut of the Sino-Swearingen SJ30, billed as the world's longest, fastest, light business jet is bound to create interest. Also displayed for the first time at Farnborough is Bombardier's new flagship Global Express XRS ultra long range executive transport, while Raytheon has two Farnborough debut aircraft, the Hawker 850XP midsize business jet and the Premier 1A, the largest single pilot business jet in the world. Bell Helicopter has a new rotary machine, the 407, a 7-seat helicopter and also the 430, which can carry up to 11 passengers.

Gulfstream, the world's most prestigious executive aircraft manufacturer, will be showing its full range of aircraft including the G200, G450, G550 and the superb transatlantic GV. Piaggio have the latest P180 Avanti II and Dassault several of its Falcon corporate jets on show.

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is a strong participant in this year's show. Autonomous Systems and in particular UAVs, are exciting emerging technology which promise to change the future range of information gathering and other activities. The CAA has approved a live demonstration with the best viewing on giant monitors around the site.

Farnborough 2006 has a whole host of sponsors including American Airlines who are the official carrier, Aviation Week with trade tickets, BAE Systems responsible for the car park, entrance fees and shuttle buses. Rolls-Royce once again is the official sponsor for "Kids Go Free" program. The public weekend is expected to be exceptionally busy, just about everyone wanting to see the Airbus A380. Keep away from Farnborough if you are not going to the show.