Farnborough International Airshow
The 2016 Farnborough International Airshow event was held this year on 11-15 July outside of London in Farnborough. The prestigious global aerospace trade event was opened by both Prime Minister, David Cameron, MP and Virgin Atlantic boss Richard Branson as they welcomed senior aerospace executives, military officials and international government representatives at the official opening ceremony with a breathtaking flyby of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter flanked by the Red Arrows.
Turkey attended this event with the participation of TAI, TEI, TRJet Roketsan and with the contribution of the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) and Defense Industry Exporters’ Association (TDA). Turkey was represented by an official delegation under the presidency of Deputy National Defense Minister Mr. Şuay Alpay and Undersecretary for Defense Industries Prof.İsmail Demir.
1500 exhibitors from 52 countries participated in the 5-day event, with 71% international exhibitors, 98 military delegations from 66 countries, 29 civil and commercial delegations from 22 countries. The well planned itinerary and escorted meetings organized by Farnborough International Ltd have been a key component to the show’s popularity with exhibitors in previous years and still remains as such.
Farnborough International’s internal order tracker recorded a total of 856 aircraft valued at $ 93.98, 1407 engines valued at $ 22.7 billion and a variety of other business deals totaling £ 7.2 billion. The ‘Meet-the-Buyer’ program resulted in 1680 meetings taking place between 40 buyers from 13 countries and 177 suppliers, proving to be a successful format at the supply chain level, enabling companies of various sizes to create new business relationships with international companies.
Mr. Muharrem Dörtkaşlı: “Started Production of Hürkuş-B and deliveries’ will be in mid- 2017”
On the second day of the event the Turkish delegation attended the ceremony at the TAI chalet as Turkish Aerospace Industries proudly announced that their Basic Trainer “Hürkuş-A” aircraft was awarded a CS-23 Validation Type Certificate by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and an Aircraft Type Certificate by the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The more advanced Hürkus-B version, featuring a glass cockpit, which is being developed by Aselsan, is on order for the Turkish Air Force with an initial order of 15 plus options for 40 more. TAI CEO Mr. Muharrem Dortkaşlı shared with the media that TAI has “started production of Hürkuş-B and deliveries will be in mid-2017.” The company is also working on an armed Hürkuş-C variant that is fitted with a more powerful 1,600 hp Pratt & Whitney engine, and can carry 1.5 tons of payload across seven hard points. The first flight of Hürkuş-C is expected by May 2017, along with the firing of at least one weapon type from the platform, which also coincides with the timing of IDEF 2017 defense exhibition in Istanbul. In addition, TAI has begun building the first prototype of a 5-6 metric ton twin-engine indigenous utility helicopter, known as “Özgün” The first prototype is not scheduled to fly until 2018, with joint Turkish DGCA and EASA certification to follow accordingly.
Following the TAI ceremony, the Turkish delegation attended the media event at the SNC (Sierra Nevada Corporation) chalet announcing developments regarding suppliers for TRJet for various components and a new order for 10 aircraft from the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO). The growing number of orders certainly attests to the growing demand for multi-use regional aircraft.
Medyacity Launched new Eurasia Air Show
Another impressive announcement for Turkey at the Farnborough International Airshow was that it’s organizers were supporting the launch of the new Eurasia Airshow, the first edition of which will be held in Antalya, Turkey, April 25 - 28, 2018. It is being promoted by Medyacity and supported by the Turkish government. The Eurasia Airshow will consist of three trade-only days, followed by one public day. It is expected to attract up to 1,000 exhibiting companies and will feature a flying display, creating a new business platform for the aerospace industry in the region. Mr. Hakan Kurt, chairman of Medyacity stated that “The aerospace industry in Eurasian countries is growing exponentially and there are more than 500 civil aviation companies now in Turkey with more aircraft flying to over 200 destinations every day, particularly Turkish Airlines. Furthermore, Turkey is developing its own civil and defense aircraft, and the Turkish air force will soon be receiving the F-35 later this year. The knowledge and experience of the Farnborough International team alongside our local event organizing expertise will go a long way to making the show a success.”
Defence Turkey magazine attended these ceremonious events among media representatives. In addition, Defence Turkey’s Editor in Chief Ayşe Evers met with EuroJet executives and discussed recent updates regarding the TFX program and new proposals on the table to collaborate with Turkish partners to produce an ITAR free EJ200 military turbofan engine. Details of the meeting to be shared next edition of the magazine in an exclusive interview with Mr. Clemens Linden, Managing Director of EuroJet and Sales VIP, Mr Colin England.
Also at the Farnborough event, Turkish Airlines confirmed the extension of its TrueChoice engine services contract with GE Aviation, covering the CF6-80E engines powering the flag carrier’s fleet of seven A330 aircraft. As part of the expanded agreement, which will run until 2026, GE will also provide leadership training for Turkish Airlines technical staff. Mr. Kevin McAllister, president and CEO of GE Engine Services stated that “these extended TrueChoice agreements will ensure the airline’s engines receive the high quality OEM maintenance, repair and overhaul work scopes to keep them flying long into the future.”
F-35 Lightning-II Debut in FIA 2016
Farnborough International reported a solid success with over 73,000 trade visits during the 5-day event with approximately 25% of its visitor base being either CEO or Director level and also a noted increase in attendance were people directly responsible for procurement. The show organizers reported that over 50% of visitors on day one were coming from overseas with many attending the show with pre-arranged meetings with exhibitors. Overall, 110 aircraft participated in flying and static display during trade week, and with the following Aircraft making their Farnborough debut in 2016: F35 Lightning II, Boeing 737 Max, Bombardier C Series, Embraer E190-E2, Embraer KC 390, Embraer Legacy 500, Antonov AN-178, HondaJet, Diamond Dart-450 and Gulfstream G500.
No sooner than the closing of the fruitful 2016 event, show organizer Farnborough International Ltd. began work on their biggest infrastructure project to date. The $44 million facility will be located in the space currently occupied by the temporary Hall 1. The memories of the 2016 flooding and early shut down of the event, due to the onerous late afternoon downpour during day one of Farnborough 2016, will be but a memory in 2018 after the new facility has been completed. Farnborough International Ltd. has taken proactive steps to move quickly creating a reliable, flexible and scalable event space, with 12,500m2 of exhibition space, accommodating 2,500 conference seats and 14 separate function rooms. This development has already prompted the new hotel development, with 2,500 rooms and within 15 minutes from the venue. The new Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Center will open and be ready in time for the next show in 2018.
