Also high on the agenda at this year’s Farnborough airshow was ‘greener aviation’ and the efforts the aerospace industry is making in pushing forward exciting new developments in sustainable aviation. With aviation growth now set to resume, technologies such as newer ultra-efficient airliners, open-rotor engines and algae-based biofuels will be critical in balancing the worldwide demand for air travel with the need to reduce its carbon footprint. We interviewed two top-level executives - Dr Jean Botti, EADS and Charles Champion, Airbus about some of these ‘green’ developments in aerospace.

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RICHARD GARDNER visits Rolls-Royce at Derby to see progress on the new Trent XWB powerplant for the Airbus A350.

With an intake diameter wider than the fuselage of Concorde, the new Rolls-Royce Trent XWB which has begun ground testing at the company’s main UK commercial engine facility, is a very impressive powerplant, from every angle, and looks set to become one of the biggest civil engine programmes over the next three to four decades. For Rolls-Royce, this is perhaps the single most significant member of the Trent family and is taking engine production technology to a new high within a truly global partnership. Go To Item

The RAeS Publications team report from the final day at #Farn10

While aerospace executives were still celebrating from the bumper orders placed during the airshow, Friday saw Farnborough host a special careers and youth day called Futures Day. Up to 3,000 young people descended on the show to learn more about the exciting world of aerospace and the potential careers in aerospace, defence and security. With a chance to get hands-on with the SCS Bloodhound Supersonic car, check out the Mars Rover, or see the Schools Build A Plane microlight, there was no danger of boredom. The event was supported by A|D|S, Airbus and the South West RDA among others. Go To Item

The RAeS Publications team report from #Farn10

Day 4 of the Farnborough airshow and the weather finally turned, with a torrential downpour that sometimes made hearing what people were saying difficult in the halls. The press conference frenzy also quietened down, allowing the aerospace media more time to fan out across the show for more in-depth interviews and one-to-one chats. Go To Item

The RAeS Publications team report from #Farn10 on the third day.

With the sunshine and heat continuing, the third day of Farnborough airshow continued in an upbeat vein – at least for the civil sector. By midweek, the official show business figures had reported some $37.5bn worth of deals signed at the show, vindicating many attendees who said that the industry had survived the recession in fairly good shape and was now gearing up for the uptick. Go To Item

The RAeS Publications team report from #Farn10

Day 2 of the show continued to be sunny, both in weather and in the new sense of optimism that pervaded the show after Day 1’s bumper aircraft orders. In the halls and chalets, Tuesday also seemed to be much busier. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights Go To Item

The RAeS Publications team report from #Farn10

Perhaps it was the sunshine that put optimism in the air. Perhaps it was yesterday’s arrival of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, or the flying display that including the Avro Vulcan, Red Arrows, A400M and F-22. Whatever the reason, there were a good few many aerospace executives feeling a lot more positive after this first day than at last year’s Paris airshow. Go To Item

It’s that time of year again, where every two years it seems the global aerospace industry decamps to Hampshire, UK, for the Farnborough International Airshow. Part cocktail reception, part travelling circus and part high-level business conference, it leaves the residents of Hampshire unable, for a whole week, to find a spare taxi driver, security guard or waitress, as this massive event hoovers up all in its path. Go To Item

Last Thursday, Boeing released its Commercial Market Outlook – a 20 year forecast that attempts to peer into the crystal ball as to how many airliners the world will need over the next two decades. Presented to the aviation media and transport correspondents in London by Randy Tinseth (you can check out his blog here) it is available in full here. (the last 2009 CMO got downloaded some 259,971 times). Boeing has a full-time staff of six people preparing this annual report and uses it to drive its strategy as well as sharing it with customers. Go To Item