Net zero flight represents major aviation revolution, say speakers at FAC conference

The aerospace sector’s push for net zero flight will result in an aviation revolution as influential as Whittle’s jet engine, a conference has heard.

Businesses in aerospace and their supply chains were urged to look for funding to invest in research, innovation and development to help propel the sector forward.

Numerous funding opportunities are available through various schemes, especially for small and medium-sized companies, delegates were told.

Farnborough Aerospace Consortium’s (FAC) annual conference at Brooklands Museum in Surrey was attended by a number of industry heavyweights.

They spoke about the push for sustainable and net zero flight, which presents SMEs with opportunities.

It also became clear that some companies are struggling to recruit into the sector because graduates felt it wasn’t ‘green’ enough.

Keynote speaker Stephen Cowan, vice-president general manager of GKN Aerospace and a board member of the Aerospace Growth Partnership, agreed it was an issue – but encouraged young people to get into the industry.

Graham Chisnall, chairman of FAC, said: “Many of our members are SMEs, and part of our role is to help them access funding and secure contracts with the big multinationals.

“We were able to do both at our conference, with a number of speakers outlining how investment was available.

“Other speakers from the big companies stressed again how they depend on their supply chains and that there were always opportunities for SMEs.

“We had a presentation from Paul Griffiths, head of aerospace and space at the Department for Business and Trade, to get insight about the new government’s position.

“There were also speakers from companies including BAE Systems, GE Aviation, Boeing and Airbus.

“There was excitement at the conference for the future of the industry, but it’s important that Britain remains a world leader.

“We heard that the industry was on the cusp of a revolution that would have the same impact as Whittle’s jet engine.”