The biggest air show in the world opened his doors on 9th of July, while many airlines are in a deep crisis. Again this year crowds of exhibitors, customers and media representatives pilgrim to Farnborough, in Hampshire, where probably the most important aviation exhibition held every two years.

The mood is subdued. Many airlines are struggling to survive and the exorbitant fuel prices (among others) make the thought of profit at the first attempt to an illusion.Even the military aviation has seen better days. Budget cuts in military Etats, high public debt in many countries and a lack of understanding let the manufacturers' order books look more modest than in previous years. However, there were a few highlights that we would like to present to you.  

Mike E. Fader and Andy Herzog of WINGS AVIATION editorial team have been looking on site and captured some impressions for our readers.

Largest air show in the world

Like every two years the biggest air show in the world will take place at Farnborough. Exhibitors, distributors, customers and media people flow through the corridors, visit the pavilions and halls, and there is much talk and negotiations going on. This year is probably the halls with the manufacturers and their innovative products to reduce operating costs, the crowd-puller. But great joy will arise at the Farnborough International Air Show 2012 barely. The large billion dollar orders of the previous trade shows will probably missed significantly. Many industrialized countries are in a deep recession or are about to slide into. High fuel prices, emission charges and exorbitant taxes, move especially airlines to drastic austerity measures. Many airlines have made ​​in previous years, their large orders/options already.

Boeing versus Airbus

The competition between the two giants was not to be overlooked this year.
Boeing was able to announce a lot more orders/options this year than their competitor Airbus.Just in time for the start of the show Boeing announced the order of 23 B737 MAX by Virgin Australia, followed by a large order of U.S. aircraft finance Air Lease Corporation (ALC). According to CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy of ALC, are these 60 B737- MAX 8 and 15 B737- MAX 9. In addition, the company signed 25 options for the same types.

Airbus Industries

This A320 is used as a test bed for the new shark lets on upcoming A320 deliveries. (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Malaysia Airlines ordered six A380. The 9M-MNB will be the econd one in service, delivered at the beginning of August 2012 to the airline (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Airbus had at its opening conference, earlier that week, introduced an improved version of the A330-200, -300 and -200F.An increased take-off weight as well as new aerodynamic improvements will enable the aircrafts a longer range and fuel reductions compared to the B777 and B787.

In the late afternoon of the first day Airbus announced the order of four A321neo by Israeli Arkia Airlines. Arkia will operate the A321neo in an all-economy version with 220 seats. The choice of engines is still unknown.

Sure, the A320 Demonstrator "Sharklets" by Airbus Industries is one of the highlights. Equipped with the new "Wing Fences" to reduce fuel consumption, they could convince the customer. 

Airbus showed on two days, the A380-841 (9M-MNB) in the new colors of Malaysia Airlines. Malaysia Airlines will take over the 9M-MNB shortly and used as a second A380 to its daily service from Kuala Lumpur to London Heathrow. Malaysia Airlines has ordered six A380s.

Malaysia Airlines ordered six A380. The F-WWAJ, c/n 0081 (9M-MNB) will be the econd one in service, delivered at the beginning of August 2012 to the airline (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Flight deck of the Malaysia Airlines A380-841with glass cockpit. (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

A400M „ATLAS“
Already at the Fairford Air Show 2012 (UK) we were able to admire the A400M "Atlas" in flight. But topic of conversation was the A400M "ATLAS" in Farnborough, due to metal chippings in the engine. This enabled the aircraft not participating in the daily flying display. Airbus currently operates five "Atlas" in an intensive test program, shortly before delivery starts to the first customers.

After a name giving ceremony at the RAF Fairford Air Show 2012 the official name will be “Atlas”. At present time they are five A400M used in an intensive test program before delivered in near future to several Air Force’s. (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog and Michael E. Fader)

In-flight of all five A400M “Atlas” during a test session (Picture courtesy Airbus-Industries

Boeing

Boeing sends in the civilian sector's her flagship B787-800 Dreamliner (Qatar Airways) and a B737-900 (Korean Airlines) to the exhibition. The B787-8DZ of Qatar Airways (A7-BCB) will be delivered shortly to the airline. Qatar Airways has 30 firm orders and an equal number of options on the 787 "Dreamliner".

First B787 for Qatar Airways (A7-BCB or N10187) due to delivery in summer 2012. Further four aircrafts will be delivered till end of this year. Qatar Airways has ordered a total of 30 B787 and holds options of another 30 aircrafts.

The new B737 MAX AT Winglet for the new Generation B737 (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog and Mischel E. Fader)

Twin seated FA-18F of the latest version of the U.S. Navy displayed their performance.

Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

An impressive flying display at the air show. At the moment 125 MV-22B are in service of the US Marines. (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog and Mischel E. Fader)

Boeing B737-7BC (BBJ 1) N836BA (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Boeing B737-7BC (BBJ 1) N836BA (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Three VIP Boeing B737 BBJ’s lined up on the tarmac of the General Aviation Center at Farnborough. (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Military Highlights

These were certainly the two Korean Aircraft Industries (KAI) T-50B trainers of the South Korean Aerobatic Team "Black Eagles", the first time participating in the Farnborough Air Show.

Only two Korean Aircraft Industries (KAI) T-50B Trainer of eight aircraft’s of the Aerobatic team “Black Eagles” appeared at the Farnborough Air show. The “Black Eagles” are from the 239th special squadron / 8th Fighter Wing.  (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog and Mischel E. Fader)

Hawker-Beechcraft

Hawker Beechcraft B300/King Air 350ER Used for special MedVac operation’s (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Hawker Beechcraft B200/King Air (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Embraer

A further five orders of the Chinese Hebei Airlines for the Embraer E-190 been made at the Air show and will be delivered later this year. This order increased the fleet of the Chinese regional airlines to seven aircrafts of this type.

Embraer ERJ-190-200LR (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Embraer ERJ-190-200LR (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader )

Embraer ERJ-190-200LR (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader )

This former ERJ145  belonging to the Polish Airline LOT and was displayed by EMBRAER at the Farnborough Air show. (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Bombardier

Bombardier Learjet 45XR N34XR (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

A day before the official Air Show, Bombardier received an order totaling 15 C-Series aircrafts (C-100/C-300) from an undisclosed customer. However, the Canadians left it open, who hides behind the "new customer".
 

Agusta-Westland

Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Hand-over ceremony of three Agusta Westland AW-159 “Wildcat” to the Royal Army at Farnborough Air show. (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog and Mischel E. Fader)

The AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat is the latest version of the Westland Lynx but is substantially more high-tech than any other previous variant. Upgraded features include more powerful engines, a totally redesigned tail and improved avionics.

"Wildcat represents a considerable advance over the current Lynx helicopters, bringing greatly improved performance and capability", Rt Hon Philip Hammond (right), UK Defence Secretary,  explained in a statement made during the Farnborough Wildcat handover.
He continued: "The contract to provide training and support will keep them flying wherever they are needed. These helicopters will be a key part of the future equipment programme for the Armed Forces that will see £160 billion spent over the next ten years. By balancing the budget, we can deliver the airframes and the millions of pounds of support they require."
"This is an excellent helicopter, which is very important to the Army Air Corps", added the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall. "We will be seeking to get it fully operational as soon as possible."

Agusta Westland AW-169 (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Eurocopter

Eurocopter EC-175 F-WWPB (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Three different Eurocopter’s EC-169, EC-175, EC-189 in a flying display (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Space Ship 2

Most attention was probably drawn by a complete outsider:
Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic LLC presented his Space Ship 2, as a mock-up.
From 2013 the first few wealthy passengers take off from Spaceport America, New Mexico in the suborbital orbit to enjoy a few minutes to get the feeling of weightlessness! With over $ 200,000 per flight a rather expensive experience!

Vulcan

18 Vulcan Bombers remain worldwide in Museum’s. XH558 is the only flyable Vulcan around the globe!  (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog and Mischel E. Fader)

Yakovlev

OKB Yakovlev, Russia surprised the audience with the presentation of their light attack plane YAK-130, the first time showing in public with full armament under the wing stations. 

First time seen in the western hemisphere with full weapon load under the wing stations. The Jak-130 will be used as an trainer and light attack aircraft. (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Eurofighter Typhoon, ZK333 Build by a Consortium of Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Pilatus PC-12/47E N812GS (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

Short visit of a Swiss Defense-Delegation headed by Bundesrat Ueli Maurer” at the Farnborough Air show. (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

The new fighter of the Swiss Air Force the JAS-39 Grippen  (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Omega Tanker has a long term contract with the US. Navy to support their in-flight refueling missions (Picture courtesy Andreas Herzog)

US Armed Forces

The new Lockheed C-130J Hercules with its improved “Glas Cockpit” – note the Head up-Display (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Visiting their troops, Secretary of the USAF, Mr. Michael B. Donley in front of a C-17A from the 436 Air Wing Dover AFB Delaware. (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Flight Deck of the C-17A Globemaster III mit the Head up Display. (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)

Conclusion:
Since we are already spend two weeks at various air shows in England, the Farnborough show was certainly a successful conclusion of our journey. In retrospect, and compared with previous visits in recent years, the Farnborough 2012 edition was rather modest. Regarding the flight program and the static display of aircrafts and helicopters, there were not much new things, except the previous mentioned highlights.
The economic and financial environment in which airlines, manufacturers and customers are currently moving set other priorities than to carry the wishes of the many "aviation enthusiasts" account, but this also brought about a certain understanding on our part.
The hope for the future, as we know, dies last!

We think that by the end of the show, the order books for some order/options can be obtained.
For us journalists, it is certainly not easy the orders /options to convey precisely because we know that many of the manufacturers place their orders for the sake of media impact on the major trade shows, although the orders/letters of intent are often signed even before the fair starts and are already known.

last update 1. August 2012

Written 25. July 2012

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