Farnborough International 2006

Farnborough 06

Rarely can an air show have been surrounded by so much expectation as Farnborough 2006. Airbus's troubles, questions over BAE Systems' plans to sell its stake in the airframer, a CEO nobody has seen and the simmering transatlantic trade dispute provide a backdrop to a show that is set to be the most exciting in years.

Our show special looks at the issues and new programmes set to be among the big talking points.

Concorde to carbonfibres
The UK has been part of Airbus since its birth.  Can it remain central to the airframer's future?

Final approach
Wiring problems have delayed the A380.  But the flight-test programme is still on course.

Dreamliner takes shape
In Italy, Japan and the USA, huge new plants are assembling the first Boeing 787 structures

Propelled to success
We fly the EADS Socata TBM850 to see if it lives up to its promise as a worthy VLJ rival

Pumped for action
Our cutaway and technical description show how the Boeing KC-767 tanker was built

Backing Britain
The UK's Defence Industrial Strategy will change how government deals with industry

Touching the void
How realistic are plans to take tourists into suborbital space in the next few years?

Searching for shields
What progress is being made in protecting helicopters from deadly ground attack?

New blood to save GA
Would tackling private flying's image problem boost Europe's static general aviation market?

Subsidies: lull before the storm
The Farnborough show could provide a flash point to reignite the transatlantic trade dispute

ASTOR is born
The UK's new military surveillance aircraft will make its first public appearance next week

Energetic Qinetiq
The technology house has been working hard on UAVs.  We take a glimpse at its progress

Bringing it back home
Farnborough has witnessed many of the memorable moments in aviation history

About the show

This year Farnborough International (FIL), the new company formed to manage the air show, promises a “bumper event”.  While it is partly the result of a more dynamic approach, it is also because this year’s show coincides with an extremely rare event.  It is the first time in at least two decades that both the civil and military sectors are in a market upswing 

Back to form

Farnborough International 2006 holds the promise of a 'bumper event'. Yet two years ago the show's future was in doubt.  What is behind the new-found optimism? 
Click here to read Julian Moxon's show preview.


What's different: how Farnborough is changing 
A “superb” line-up of aircraft, dominated by Airbus and Boeing.
New participants include the Bell Boeing MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor and the Royal Air Force’s Raytheon Sentinel R1 Astor.

Click to expand the visitor's map of the Farnborough showground

Exhibitors list
Click here to see the
exhibitors list at Farnborough