Farnborough, United Kingdom |25th – 26th July 2024
On the 26th of July 2024 we had the opportunity to participate to the Farnborough International Airshow. The Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) is one of the world’s most prestigious events in the aerospace calendar, showcasing the latest innovations and technologies in the industry. Held every two
years in Farnborough, near London, this fiveday event brings together leading aerospace companies, professionals, and enthusiasts from around the globe.
But let’s start from the beginning!
Participants arrived on the 25th, but we managed to meet and get to know each other only in the evening due to international delays and flight cancellations. Our group was composed of 18 people coming from different AS, WGs (as CM and BR) and the IB.
On the 26th morning, we took a train from Reading to Farnborough, and we found ourselves thrown into another world: four enormous halls filled with stands of companies presenting their ideas and their projects. Outside was even better! It was packed with planes, helicopters and drones, from historical beauties to futuristic innovations.
FIA 2024 was focused on six key themes: Space, Defence, Sustainability, Innovation, Future Flight Technologies and Workforce. On the 26th it was mainly focused on the Workforce theme, for which the Pioneers of Tomorrow event took place. Aimed to students and young professionals interested in a career in the sector, this event was created to inspire future generations and enable companies to highlight the opportunities they had to offer. The event was held in Hall 1, and EUROAVIA had its own stand! It was a great opportunity to connect with companies and people, from aviation enthusiasts to someone discovering the wonders of aerospace for the first time and get them familiar with our association.
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle flying display
At noon, the flying exhibition started, and we gathered on a terrace to have a better view for what was about to happen. Our eyes were pointing up to the sky as the commentator announced the flight displays and meticulously described what we were seeing. We witnessed flights from planes we always studied from books: the 21st century fighter jet Lightning” RAF-35, the McDonnell Douglas F15 Eagle and General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, and also the Supermarine Spitfire! It was then the turn of the newest Airbus A321 253 XLR, which took off and flew right above our heads, of the Boeing’s JAC CH-47 Chinook and of the Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons.
At the end of the day, we took a train back to Reading and wandered around the city before sitting to a pub to eat something typical. It was a wonderful experience being present at the Farnborough International Airshow; we had the opportunity to get a better insight on the aerospace industry and get to spread EUROAVIA’s values with a lot of new people.
We look forward to the next exhibition!