FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL 2012
Review and all photography by SIMON FENWICK
All aspects are copyright of the author/photographer and must not be used without prior permission
INTRODUCTION
The Farnborough International airshow and exhibition is the world’s oldest aviation trade show having started many years ago by the then Society of British Aircraft Constructors. For the first few decades of the biennial show, it was exclusively for British companies and solely British aircraft. Eventually, foreign aircraft were admitted provided they were powered by British engines or had substantial British manufacturing input. Now the show is fully international with exhibitors giving a worldwide showcase for all things aerospace.
Farnborough itself known as the ‘cradle of British aviation’ and today the home of the TAG Aviation operated airport, has become synonymous with the airshow and attracts thousands of companies, trade visitors and, on the final two days, hundreds of thousands of members of the public and their families. The show also hugely benefits the local area with many hundreds of temporary jobs and hotel bookings, these being somewhat eased with the opening of several new hotels in the immediate area.
Farnborough itself known as the ‘cradle of British aviation’ and today the home of the TAG Aviation operated airport, has become synonymous with the airshow and attracts thousands of companies, trade visitors and, on the final two days, hundreds of thousands of members of the public and their families. The show also hugely benefits the local area with many hundreds of temporary jobs and hotel bookings, these being somewhat eased with the opening of several new hotels in the immediate area.
A SHOW OF TWO HALVES
Unlike most airshows in the UK, Farnborough is very much a show of two distinct halves. As the major shop window for UK Aerospace, the first four days (the Trade Days) are distinctly different from the Friday (Futures Day) and the Saturday and Sunday Public Days.
During the Trade Days, the massive exhibition halls – the largest temporary covered exhibition area in the world – are bursting with visitors and daelegates browsing the many stands, holding meetings and striking deals, many of which are worth millions of pounds of business. During these four days, the long lines of parked static aircraft can be closely examined – though often by invitation only – and cover the complete spectrum of aviation. Up until Wednesday, there is a dedicated Business Aviation area where corporate jets are on show.
During the afternoons of these initial days, there is a shortened air display mainly featuring manufacturers showing off their latest wares. Unfortunately for the paying public later in the week, it has very much become the habit for a lot of the choicest aircraft to depart before anyone other than trade visitors have seen them. In this reviewer’s opinion, this is a great shame when one considers the fact that massive advance publicity is given to announcements of certain items, only for them not to be on view to those who pay at the weekend.
During the Trade Days, the massive exhibition halls – the largest temporary covered exhibition area in the world – are bursting with visitors and daelegates browsing the many stands, holding meetings and striking deals, many of which are worth millions of pounds of business. During these four days, the long lines of parked static aircraft can be closely examined – though often by invitation only – and cover the complete spectrum of aviation. Up until Wednesday, there is a dedicated Business Aviation area where corporate jets are on show.
During the afternoons of these initial days, there is a shortened air display mainly featuring manufacturers showing off their latest wares. Unfortunately for the paying public later in the week, it has very much become the habit for a lot of the choicest aircraft to depart before anyone other than trade visitors have seen them. In this reviewer’s opinion, this is a great shame when one considers the fact that massive advance publicity is given to announcements of certain items, only for them not to be on view to those who pay at the weekend.
ALL CHANGE
Following the close of the final Trade Day on Thursday, the outside areas begin their change in time for the weekend, with many of the static aircraft either departing or moving to the north side of the airfield. This is to make way for the more ‘public friendly’ items that are brought in. In a way this makes sense as far as things like corporate jets are concerned since public visitors would much rather look at things like military jets or classic aircraft than rows of Cessna Citations or Lear Jets.
The Friday of the show, Futures Day in 2012, was the last day that the exhibition halls were open as for the first time, the organisers decided to lock the doors on all the covered areas – with the exception of the Space Zone in Hall 3. In some respects this is understandable as most of the trade stands are very specific in their nature. However, when visiting the halls at the weekend on previous Farnborough shows, it was noticeable that many exhibitors tailored their weekend to entertain the younger visitors. It was also a great place to get out of the rain for a while! Futures Day is provided to give encouragement to the younger generation to see if a job in one of the thousands of aspects of aviation might be the way that they would like to go. Events, lectures and demonstrations were laid on throughout the site and there was an extended flying display in the afternoon featuring some of the items from the Trade Days plus some additional displays that would appear on the Saturday and Sunday. This is an important fact about this particular day as it is the younger generation that must be encouraged in order that the industry can develop. Without young people having sufficient interest, then where will the future scientists, engineers, pilots and ground crew come from?
The Friday of the show, Futures Day in 2012, was the last day that the exhibition halls were open as for the first time, the organisers decided to lock the doors on all the covered areas – with the exception of the Space Zone in Hall 3. In some respects this is understandable as most of the trade stands are very specific in their nature. However, when visiting the halls at the weekend on previous Farnborough shows, it was noticeable that many exhibitors tailored their weekend to entertain the younger visitors. It was also a great place to get out of the rain for a while! Futures Day is provided to give encouragement to the younger generation to see if a job in one of the thousands of aspects of aviation might be the way that they would like to go. Events, lectures and demonstrations were laid on throughout the site and there was an extended flying display in the afternoon featuring some of the items from the Trade Days plus some additional displays that would appear on the Saturday and Sunday. This is an important fact about this particular day as it is the younger generation that must be encouraged in order that the industry can develop. Without young people having sufficient interest, then where will the future scientists, engineers, pilots and ground crew come from?
As alluded to above, the Saturday and Sunday Public Days, have a totally different feel to them compared to the rest of the week. With the halls being closed and hundreds of thousands of people on site, the walkways were at times almost impassable – though this wasn’t helped by the state of the ground (more on this below). Many different aircraft were on view in the Static Parks – with, in some places, slightly overbearing security keeping people away from some of the more modern exhibits, especially at the eastern end of the showground. With the ‘Kids Go Free’ offer, many many families had obviously taken up this offer and heads of all ages were turned to the skies for the fully extended afternoon flying display.
Unfortunately, FI2012 was hit badly by the unseasonable downpours that hit Britain in the lead up to the show and this had a knock on effect during the week of the show itself. Not only were the grass areas waterlogged, but the main Queens Avenue car park was unusable for the whole duration of the event. This meant that alternative parking was arranged on the hard areas of parts of the disused area of the Aldershot Military camp resulting in long queues for the free courtesy buses, longer journeys on those buses and then very long waits to get through security at the entrance gates.
FRUSTRATION
Though this was not too much of a problem during the quieter Trade Days, there was much frustration as the hoardes tried to get in on the Saturday and Sunday. For some reason, there were no extra bag search machines or airline style search gates to cope with this than there had been during the week when many fewer people were expected. There were also reports of some heavy handed actions by security personnel at those gates. Whether this was due to frustration at the numbers of people or not is not the point. It shouldn’t happen and wouldn’t have happened if there were more gates. There is also the problem of the courtesy buses where it needs to be taken into account that although the entry tends to spread over several hours, at the end of the show, especially if a highlight act is scheduled to close the show, everyone tries to leave at once thus creating a ‘log jam’. If Traders and food outlets were encouraged to stay open longer, this problem might be alleviated somewhat.
The effect of the torrential weather leading up to the show created massive problems for the organisers as most of the grass areas were unusable. This problem was exacerbated at the weekend when most of the display on the Saturday was lost to yet more rain. This left the ground all the more waterlogged. The few tarmac areas were fine. Everywhere else was like standing or walking on a wet, dirty, soggy sponge, thus making it impossible for people to use chairs or for families to put down picnic rugs which made for a very long and tiring day for all but especially for the very young and the more elderly visitors.
HIGH PRICES AND POOR QUALITY
Before going on to the show itself, a comment must be made about the catering offered in the various outside Food Courts, both during the week but especially at the weekend. Having visited many shows throughout the country, in this reviewer’s opinion, that offered by the contracted outlets was among the worst that has been experienced. Yes there was a good choice in principle with everything from the usual burgers and hotdogs through Mexican, Indian, Chinese etc but the quality overall was abysmal and the prices horrendous. Having only a week before been to the premier military vehicle event in the country at Bovington in Dorset where freshly cooked Wild Boar sausages could be had for breakfast at £3.50 each serving and genuine Spanish Paella for £5 at lunchtime and a bottle of water £1, you were then confronted by what was being offered at Farnborough. Limp and tasteless burgers which were left half cooked to be warmed up when someone wanted one at over £6, or fish and chips at £8 for a meagre portion and a bottle of water for £2, each served by people who didn’t seem to care anything about service. Yes, the vehicles looked flashy and modern with their frontages (until you looked behind and realised that they were just that – modern frontages on old vehicles) but it was a definite case of ‘must do better’. There were audible complaints from many public visitors about the quality and prices and the fact that by early afternoon there was no one queuing spoke volumes.
Unfortunately, FI2012 was hit badly by the unseasonable downpours that hit Britain in the lead up to the show and this had a knock on effect during the week of the show itself. Not only were the grass areas waterlogged, but the main Queens Avenue car park was unusable for the whole duration of the event. This meant that alternative parking was arranged on the hard areas of parts of the disused area of the Aldershot Military camp resulting in long queues for the free courtesy buses, longer journeys on those buses and then very long waits to get through security at the entrance gates.
FRUSTRATION
Though this was not too much of a problem during the quieter Trade Days, there was much frustration as the hoardes tried to get in on the Saturday and Sunday. For some reason, there were no extra bag search machines or airline style search gates to cope with this than there had been during the week when many fewer people were expected. There were also reports of some heavy handed actions by security personnel at those gates. Whether this was due to frustration at the numbers of people or not is not the point. It shouldn’t happen and wouldn’t have happened if there were more gates. There is also the problem of the courtesy buses where it needs to be taken into account that although the entry tends to spread over several hours, at the end of the show, especially if a highlight act is scheduled to close the show, everyone tries to leave at once thus creating a ‘log jam’. If Traders and food outlets were encouraged to stay open longer, this problem might be alleviated somewhat.
The effect of the torrential weather leading up to the show created massive problems for the organisers as most of the grass areas were unusable. This problem was exacerbated at the weekend when most of the display on the Saturday was lost to yet more rain. This left the ground all the more waterlogged. The few tarmac areas were fine. Everywhere else was like standing or walking on a wet, dirty, soggy sponge, thus making it impossible for people to use chairs or for families to put down picnic rugs which made for a very long and tiring day for all but especially for the very young and the more elderly visitors.
HIGH PRICES AND POOR QUALITY
Before going on to the show itself, a comment must be made about the catering offered in the various outside Food Courts, both during the week but especially at the weekend. Having visited many shows throughout the country, in this reviewer’s opinion, that offered by the contracted outlets was among the worst that has been experienced. Yes there was a good choice in principle with everything from the usual burgers and hotdogs through Mexican, Indian, Chinese etc but the quality overall was abysmal and the prices horrendous. Having only a week before been to the premier military vehicle event in the country at Bovington in Dorset where freshly cooked Wild Boar sausages could be had for breakfast at £3.50 each serving and genuine Spanish Paella for £5 at lunchtime and a bottle of water £1, you were then confronted by what was being offered at Farnborough. Limp and tasteless burgers which were left half cooked to be warmed up when someone wanted one at over £6, or fish and chips at £8 for a meagre portion and a bottle of water for £2, each served by people who didn’t seem to care anything about service. Yes, the vehicles looked flashy and modern with their frontages (until you looked behind and realised that they were just that – modern frontages on old vehicles) but it was a definite case of ‘must do better’. There were audible complaints from many public visitors about the quality and prices and the fact that by early afternoon there was no one queuing spoke volumes.
There now follows an extended photo review of the show itself. This reviewer attended on the Opening Day, Tuesday Trade Day, Friday Futures Day and Sunday Public Day and the photos comprise a mixture of each of those days to give a flavour of the entire week.
TRADE DAYS
FI2012 was opened in front of the world’s media and dignitaries with a formation flypast of the Red Arrows and Avro Vulcan XH558 on the Monday morning and they were followed by the formation arrival from Fairford of the Korean formation, The Black Eagles, in their T50B aircraft (unfortunately, though the whole team had displayed to rave reviews at Fairford, for some reason they were not permitted to perform their routine at Farnborough and they were restricted to a solo aircraft in the flying display with another on static for the week).
In the cavernous exhibition halls, the delegates began their four days of promotion activities and deals were struck and clients wined and dined in the chalets lining the hillside.
In the cavernous exhibition halls, the delegates began their four days of promotion activities and deals were struck and clients wined and dined in the chalets lining the hillside.
STATIC DISPLAY (TRADE DAYS)
Commencing a tour of the static aircraft on display from the eastern end (nearest to the exhibition halls), the first exhibitor was Cessna Aircraft and Bell helicopters. Cessna had a Grand Caravan and Citation Mustang on show while Bell were showing the 525, 407GX and 429.
Next was the huge Finmeccanica area with products from AgustaWestland and Alenia Aermacchi. The latter had the C-27J Spartan (in the form of a MC-27J Gunship concept) and the M346. AW meanwhile had a line up of AW139, AW189, AW169 helicopters along with the AW101 (RAF Merlin HC.3) and AW159 (the new Wildcat for the Fleet Air Arm alongside a Royal Netherlands Navy NH90.
In previous years, the impressive bulk of the Airbus A380 together with larger items for the flying display had been parked on the apron (actually the end of one of the long closed former runways). However, the format had been changed for 2012 with Airbus moving further along the display line – more on this later in the review. Instead on this apron could be found the Omega KDC-10 AAR tanker along with Embraer 145 & 190, Sukhoi Superjet and Boeing’s New Generation 737-900 and 787 Dreamliner.
Making its debut at Farnborough was Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic ‘SpaceShip Two’ with an excellent pavilion that was open to all, unlike many of the other exhibitor areas, some of which were manned by heavy security to keep out all except ‘invited guests’.
Returning to the static line up proper and now closely along the crowd line, Diamond Aircraft had three versions of their DA42 on show. There was an updated version of the DHC Twin Otter from Viking Air and there were three of the venerable Britten Norman Islander/Defender range. From Pilatus there was a PC-21 and ‘new generation’ PC-12.
In this area could also be seen examples of the Dornier DO228, Tecnam MMA (of which there was a further example further along the line), P68 and a Cougar helicopter. Interestingly, Sikorsky were making a return after a long absence with Polish registered S-70i Blackhawk equipped for ‘Special Operations’ and bearing a very striking scheme.
In this area could also be seen examples of the Dornier DO228, Tecnam MMA (of which there was a further example further along the line), P68 and a Cougar helicopter. Interestingly, Sikorsky were making a return after a long absence with Polish registered S-70i Blackhawk equipped for ‘Special Operations’ and bearing a very striking scheme.
Airbus Industrie were taking up the space used previously by the US Department Of Defense (DoD). They were showing examples of the A319, A320 and the C-295 together with the Airbus Military A400M ‘Grizzly’ which was originally due to take part in the flying. As mentioned earlier, the mighty A380 was also parked in this area. Presumably the reason for this move was to put their aircraft closer to their pavilion. However, this led to massive problems during the flying displays on all the days, including the Public Saturday and Sunday. With the A380 being featured each day, this meant that for some 45 minutes prior to its display right through until it’s routine had finished and the aircraft returned to it’s parking slot, everyone on that area of the crowd line had to be moved and held back behind barriers. This also led to the blocking of the main pedestrian access to the crowd line for a considerable period. This meant a great deal of frustration for those caught up in the very long queues that resulted or a very long walk to bypass the area. It might have helped somewhat if there had either been signage pointing out that the area would be closed at certain times or if there had been some guides posted to advise people that there would be a long delay or how to take an alternative route. As it was, there was no indication that there would be a hold up and assistance given when requests were made as to how long the delays would be. A definite point that needs to be taken up for the future.
The aforementioned US DoD were to be found a good deal further down the display line, in between the ranks of corporate jets and with an ATR 72 strangely splitting the line up. The C-17A Globemaster III, V-22 Osprey and C-130J Hercules could be found here but, creating a rather disjointed showing, the F/A18 Hornet, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 and LUH-72 helicopter were parked alone on a large open area near to the BAE Systems exhibit which was situated in the FIVE exhibition hall. BAE themselves were showing a replica Supermarine Spitfire alongside a Hawk T.2 bearing special No.4 Sqn RAF Centenary tail markings. There was a ‘plastic’ Eurofighter Typhoon nearby.
Back on the static line itself we come to the line up of Corporate aircraft where machines from ATR, Hawker Beechcraft, Dassault, Embraer and Bombardier could be found.
The final line of static aircraft was a bit of a ‘mix & match’ with various types on show including the ETPS SAAB Gripen, Jetstream 31 Flying Test Bed, Aerobility PA32, the Breitling Jet Team’s spare L-39 Albatross, the unusual Piaggio P180, Beechcraft T-6 Texan II and a highly unusual pair of PA31 Navajos both of which were fitted with an array of sensors.
TRADE DAYS (FLYING DISPLAY)
Although the order of the displays varied slightly each day, mainly the same aircraft were flown on each of the Trade Days.
The display was opened by the Airbus A380-800 with what has become regarded as a very impressive routine for such a large aircraft. On some days, due to wind direction, the take off run was from the east and with the huge wing overlapping the runway, it gave the impression of a massive ‘grass blower’! Some interesting effects were created due to the dampness in the air. For the first three days, the display was flown using the first example to be delivered to Malaysian Airlines.
The display was opened by the Airbus A380-800 with what has become regarded as a very impressive routine for such a large aircraft. On some days, due to wind direction, the take off run was from the east and with the huge wing overlapping the runway, it gave the impression of a massive ‘grass blower’! Some interesting effects were created due to the dampness in the air. For the first three days, the display was flown using the first example to be delivered to Malaysian Airlines.
The Blades Display Team, flying their four Extra 300s, were not only flying each day but were also kept busy entertaining clients on behalf of their parent organisation 2Excel Aviation. It was this company who were showing the two PA42 Navajos in the static, as mentioned above.
Harking back to the glory days of Westland’s helicopter displays, AgustaWestland put on an excellent routine comprising AW139, AW169 & AW189 helicopters from their range. The only other rotor to take to the air during the week was the Eurocopter EC175.
Fast jets were represented by the SAAB Gripen, F/A18 Super Hornet (flown by Boeing test pilots Scott Traven and Steve Schmitt) and Sqn Ldr Scott Loughran who was kept busy on each day with his display in the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 (an RAF squadron aircraft but being flown on behalf of BAE Systems).
Other jets to fly were the KIA T50B of the Korean Black Eagles in a solo routine and the YAK130, the sole Russia/East European representative following the cancellation of several others due to ‘paperwork issues’. On the Tuesday, there was a single flypast from a B-52H Stratofortress that had been on static display at Fairford.
Other jets to fly were the KIA T50B of the Korean Black Eagles in a solo routine and the YAK130, the sole Russia/East European representative following the cancellation of several others due to ‘paperwork issues’. On the Tuesday, there was a single flypast from a B-52H Stratofortress that had been on static display at Fairford.
The final military representation on the Trade Days was the incredible MV-22B Osprey which was making its first return visit since its debut in 2006. Back then it was flown by test pilots but this year, four MV-22s arrived from an active front line Marines unit after gaining valuable operational experience in Afghanistan and Libya. Like the Hornet the Ospreys were seen giving regular demonstration flights to various military leaders and media through the week.
Much smaller and quieter were a couple of aircraft making their debuts or return. Firstly there was the French-based Starduster Too representing Aerospace Company, Trescal, which flew on some of the days. Flying every day was the diminutive Speedtwin which was making a return to Farnborough having last been seen at the show in 1994. Since then the aircraft design has been further refined and is being offered for a variety of roles including border patrol and aerial surveillance. The developers are even looking at further versions with turboprop engines and enhanced performance. The type is fully aerobatic and is even certified for spinning and it put on an impressive performance in the daily flying displays.
Flying only for the first three days, but grabbing some of the biggest headlines, was the first flying display by a Boeing airliner at Farnborough for many years in the form of a Qatar Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The Dreamliner is certainly a unique looking aircraft with its very modern looking fuselage shape, big windows and some very slender looking wings.
PUBLIC DAYS (inc. FUTURES DAY)
As alluded to earlier, Farnborough International goes through many changes once the first four days of the show are over with quite a few aircraft disappearing altogether or moving to the inaccessible north side of the airfield. In the static display, corporate jets in particular move out to make way for more ‘public friendly’ machines and some of the more usual air display acts are brought in for the flying displays.
Friday was Futures Day which is mainly geared to the younger generation and in particular schools and colleges. On the grass area in front of the chalets, the Innovation Zone was set up to include some of the colleges involved in aerospace engineering together with Airbus Industrie, Cardiff University, City University London, Clean Sky, Cranfield University, GKN, Imperial College, Swansea University, Kingston University and others, all of whom had specially tailored exhibits to try and tempt youngsters into considering a career within the wide ranging aerospace field. In addition many of the stand holders in the main halls went to the trouble of providing informative information. This was the last day on which the main halls were open to visitors, with the exception of the Space Zone in Hall 3.
Friday was Futures Day which is mainly geared to the younger generation and in particular schools and colleges. On the grass area in front of the chalets, the Innovation Zone was set up to include some of the colleges involved in aerospace engineering together with Airbus Industrie, Cardiff University, City University London, Clean Sky, Cranfield University, GKN, Imperial College, Swansea University, Kingston University and others, all of whom had specially tailored exhibits to try and tempt youngsters into considering a career within the wide ranging aerospace field. In addition many of the stand holders in the main halls went to the trouble of providing informative information. This was the last day on which the main halls were open to visitors, with the exception of the Space Zone in Hall 3.
Out in the ‘showground’ area preparations were in hand for all the family themed attractions including funfair rides, simulators and stalls. The aircraft static park went through its transformation with some 24 aircraft departing, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which was one of the stars of the first three days of the show.
In their place, various historic aircraft were brought in covering a wide spectrum of machines though in the main they were classic jets such as Jet Provost, Gnat, Meteor, Venom and Hunter. On show at the eastern end was the very colourful Colombian C-130 Hercules which had been parked at the Laffan’s Plain end since arriving from Fairford earlier in the week. Taking its place at that end could be found the C-47 Skytrain (Dakota) from Aces High at nearby Dunsfold and the Catalina ‘Miss Pick Up’ of Plane Sailing at Duxford. Current RAF assets on view were a Chinook from RAF Odiham and a Hawk T.1, which was soon to go out of service, from RAF Valley. When not taking part in the weekend’s flying display, close up views could be had of the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster and Spitfire and the four Boeing Stearmans of the Breitling Wingwalkers. Close by, Avro Vulcan XH558 as usual drew large crowds of onlookers.
In their place, various historic aircraft were brought in covering a wide spectrum of machines though in the main they were classic jets such as Jet Provost, Gnat, Meteor, Venom and Hunter. On show at the eastern end was the very colourful Colombian C-130 Hercules which had been parked at the Laffan’s Plain end since arriving from Fairford earlier in the week. Taking its place at that end could be found the C-47 Skytrain (Dakota) from Aces High at nearby Dunsfold and the Catalina ‘Miss Pick Up’ of Plane Sailing at Duxford. Current RAF assets on view were a Chinook from RAF Odiham and a Hawk T.1, which was soon to go out of service, from RAF Valley. When not taking part in the weekend’s flying display, close up views could be had of the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster and Spitfire and the four Boeing Stearmans of the Breitling Wingwalkers. Close by, Avro Vulcan XH558 as usual drew large crowds of onlookers.
PUBLIC DAYS (FLYING DISPLAY)
Unfortunately, the weather gods were not smiling on Farnborough on the first Public Day (Saturday) when the torrential rain and low cloud that had afflicted the area during the build up to the show, returned with a vengeance. The afternoon flying schedule was decimated with only a few items taking to the air.
However, matters greatly improved the following day with a full programme being achieved, though the thousands who had gathered had to cope with horrendous ground conditions where ever there was a lack of tarmac or concrete.
Growing from the Trade Day run of 2-2.5 hours to twice that length for the Public Days, the flying display consisted of most, but by no means all, of the items seen earlier in the week. Missing were the AgustaWestland Helicopters and the EC-175, the SAAB Gripen, Trescal Starduster Too, Yak 130 (though it remained on static display) and, most disappointingly, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
However, matters greatly improved the following day with a full programme being achieved, though the thousands who had gathered had to cope with horrendous ground conditions where ever there was a lack of tarmac or concrete.
Growing from the Trade Day run of 2-2.5 hours to twice that length for the Public Days, the flying display consisted of most, but by no means all, of the items seen earlier in the week. Missing were the AgustaWestland Helicopters and the EC-175, the SAAB Gripen, Trescal Starduster Too, Yak 130 (though it remained on static display) and, most disappointingly, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Royal Air Force
Brought in for the weekend was further participation from the Royal Air Force were displays from the Beech King Air from Cranwell, patriotically painted Tucano and Hawk both of which were celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in their colour schemes, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster & Spitfire and the explosive Tornado Role Demo, in addition to the Typhoon which had been on duty all week, not forgetting RAFAT, the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team best known to one and all as The Red Arrows.
The Red Arrows
Breitling
Competing with ‘The Reds’ for filling the most amount of sky at one time were the Breitling Jet Team with their seven L-39 Albatross jets who were making their Farnborough debuts. Originally only due to display on the Saturday and Sunday, the team also filled in for the Red Arrows on Friday following problems getting their validation flights completed in time.
Breitling were in fact a major sponsor of FI2012 with a massive banner on the new and striking Aviator Hotel which has been built on the site of the old RAF Officer’s Mess, as well as providing the Jubilee Lawn area. It had been hoped that their wonderful Lockheed Constellation would be on static display. However, engine problems meant it stayed in Switzerland. Also representing the iconic watch maker was Vic Norman’s crowd pleasing team of Boeing Stearmans and the energetic wingwalkers on the top wing of these 1930s biplanes. Performing a rare four-ship display, The Breitling Wingwalkers have, since securing this valuable sponsorship, never been busier to the extent that on most weekends during the summer with two separate two-ship teams giving displays. Often one team is somewhere in the UK while the other could be thousands of miles away in a far flung part of Europe and beyond. It was good to see all four come together on this occasion.
However, before the display proper began on Sunday, there was the only opportunity during the show to see the Airbus Military A400M ‘Grizzly’ in the air, albeit it briefly as it departed. Also departing was the British Airways A318 which had come in to spend the morning in the static park.
A380
Following the RAF Falcons and the little Speedtwin which was featured in the Trade Displays, the A380 was towed out from behind the crowdline to give its routine. Unlike the Trade Days, the example used at the weekend was a development aircraft bearing the titles ‘Love At First Flight’ on its flanks. Following the departure of the Boeing 787, the A380 was the sole airliner to take part in the flying display.
Extra
There were two displays featuring machines from the Extra company that produces outstanding aerobatic aircraft. Firstly, The Blades, who are all former Red Arrows pilots, put on their show of formation and solo manoeuvres. Also appearing was Mark Jefferies in his extreme Extra 330SC, sponsored by Abarth.
FI2012 had a dearth of fast jets to entertain the crowd with the speed and noise that they love. Apart from the RAF Typhoon and the Tornado Role Demo mentioned earlier, the only ‘fast & pointy’ machines were the always outstanding F/A18 Super Hornet and the solo KIA T50B from the Korean ‘Black Eagles’ team.
Typhoon
Tornado Role Demo
F/A18 Super Hornet & KIA T50B
Providing a few minutes of calm from the noise were the RedHawks pair of Fournier RF-4D motor gliders. Flown by retired airline pilots Matthew Hill – 11,000 hours on 100 aircraft types – and Bob Grimstead – 21,000 hours on 250 types – the pair perform what they call an ‘aerial pas de deux’.
Rotors
Although there was no official AgustaWestland representation on the Public Days, there was a helicopter that had been through the factory at Yeovil. This was the menacing Apache WAH.1 from the Army Air Corps at Middle Wallop. The other ‘rotary winged’ participant was the Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey, eleven of which are due to be based at RAF Mildenhall in the spring of 2013.
Vulcan
60 years since it made its debut at Farnborough and bringing the 2012 show to a close was the mighty ‘tin triangle’. Always drawing huge crowds wherever it goes, Vulcan XH558 gave a good howl before its take off run.
That brought FI2012 to a close and all that remained was the long journey back to the car. Many gave up on waiting for the courtesy buses and made the journey on foot. Very tiring after a long day especially for those with families of all ages. Hopefully the ordeal of getting in and out of the show and the dire food and high prices will not put off future visitors.
In terms of business, the show was very successful with over $87 million of sales being completed during the Trade Days. This, in times of financial uncertainty, is a great statistic that proves the worth of the event to the Global Aerospace Industry.
Farnborough returns in two years over the week of 14th-20th July 2014. For more information visit http://www.farnborough.com.
In terms of business, the show was very successful with over $87 million of sales being completed during the Trade Days. This, in times of financial uncertainty, is a great statistic that proves the worth of the event to the Global Aerospace Industry.
Farnborough returns in two years over the week of 14th-20th July 2014. For more information visit http://www.farnborough.com.