Day 1 - Day 2 - Day 3

Mike Judd, European Editor, Circuitnet

Farnborough International Air Show 2008 opened this week and it is officially the biggest event in its history, in terms of exhibition space and exhibitor presence. This year the show will be marking two key anniversaries: 60 years of the Air Show at Farnborough and the centenary of the first powered sustained flight from the airfield in 1908. The organisers have pulled out all the stops to mark the occasions.

Despite the gloomy economy, concerns about oil prices, job cuts and environmental issues, the first day did report good levels of business.

This show WAS busy, there was much positive talk about cleaner engines. For example Boeing promised to spotlight a range of pioneering technologies that will help develop a sustainable future for the global aerospace industry.

The total number of exhibitors at the show is over 1500 - a 5% increase over the last show, located in four huge halls. 39 countries will be represented at the show with 29 international and regional pavilions, while 140,000 business visitors are expected from Monday to Friday. A high level of commercial and military delegations from 39 countries have been invited to the show this week.

Saturday & Sunday are public days.

Red Arrows

Today’s flying displays included a fly pass by the Red Arrows, an Airbus 380 showing its incredible manoeuvres and an F22 Fighter display.

Formula One racing star Lewis Hamilton

However the most thrilling opening event, highlighting speed, performance and star power featured Bombardier Learjet pilots and Formula One racing star Lewis Hamilton, who wowed attendees today with an exhilarating display of speed and performance as the Learjet demo team and Learjet brand Ambassador Lewis Hamilton went head to head in an impressive driving and flying display.

Hamilton rocketed along the TAG Farnborough runway in his Vodafone McLaren Mercedes race car while the Learjet 60 XR jet sped through the air just 200 meters overhead.

With seven Grand Prix wins to his credit, the most recent being the great victory in the rain soaked UK Grand Prix, Hamilton claimed victory over the jet!

This diversion for Lewis Hamilton, before he competes in the German Grand Prix next weekend, was followed by a Presentation in the Bombardier Learjet exhibition and hospitality display building. Lewis joined Bombardier Executives Rick Rowe and Steve Ridolfi, then took questions from the invited audience. Ridolfi introduced Lewis by pointing out that his first Grand Prix win was in Canada, home of Bombardier.

Referring to the comments made by Rt Hon John Hutton MP. Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, when he opened the show, about the challenges facing industry and the country, particularly regarding the economy and environment challenges, one question centred on how Lewis felt about these issues when driving an F1 car and using a private jet. He handled the question well, fully appreciating the challenges ahead, indicating that both McLaren and Bombardier had initiated environmental and climate care programmes aimed at reducing emissions. He came over as a really aware and caring guy.

As well as the impressive exhibition area, the static aircraft on display drew the crowds, included is the Business Aircraft Park, a concept initiated six years ago, that has now grown to an area with 32 aircraft.

The show also pays respect to those responsible for making human flight a reality with a display in the International Pioneers of Flight Pavilion, presented by BAE Systems, marking the centenary of Samuel Cody’s first controlled flight at Farnborough. The Pavilion displays four accurate, full-scale replicas of early 20^th century aircraft.

Young people are also encouraged to attend the Show. As Allan E Cook CBE, President of SBAC commented, “The Future of aviation is inextricably linked to the future of the planet and the young people who will create our future, turning our visions into reality. It is vital that a well-qualified and committed stream of young people take up careers in aerospace. There are fantastic opportunities for young people in the modern aerospace industry so this Friday is International Youth Day, a scheme to introduce teenage students to the aerospace sector and to provide a valuable insight into career opportunities within the industry”.

Over 500 students aged between 14-16 years and 180 undergraduates will enjoy a highly structured and carefully balanced programme of events designed to give them a practical introduction to the aerospace industry, also inspire and ignite their imaginations. They will attend lectures including Raytheon who will be talking about Space; BAE Systems will cover a century of British Innovation, while the RAF will be featuring a young Typhoon display pilot. A dedicated marquee will be used as a science and technology expo with 14 exhibitors including Thales, Rolls-Royce, EADS and Boeing, plus organisations such as the Royal Aeronautical Society.

It was a busy day and in our next report we will be talking to some of the exhibitors about their views of the current business climate and of Farnborough 2008.