Farnborough holds a unique place in British aviation. Its history is closely linked to the development of the aircraft industry as the site of a government-owned aircraft factory in the first world war, then as a research establishment and today as the location of the biennial international air show. The Ministry of Defence declared Farnborough surplus to requirements in 1992. It has now received planning permission to develop into a business and executive aviation centre. But despite the changes the Society of British Aerospace Companies, which promotes the air show, has announced its intention of keeping it at Farnborough indefinitely. The show represents a major challenge to NATS controllers who are responsible for co-ordinating all the movements into and out of the airfield as well as the flying display itself.

In the United Kingdom, TAG Aviation (U.K.) Ltd. is engaged in the management, charter, and charter brokerage of business jet aircraft and holds a Type A (large aircraft) and Type B, Air Operator Certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

TAG Farnborough Airport Ltd. operates Farnborough Airport (which it leases from the U.K. Ministry of Defense), located in Hampshire, U.K., thirty-five miles southeast of London. Farnborough Airport is a CAA certified, full IFR, commercially qualified airport for the exclusive use of business jet aircraft. Farnborough also serves as the home of the Farnborough Airshow, one of the largest aerospace trade shows in the world. TAG Farnborough Airport Ltd. is engaged in the full range of airfield operating activities, including airfield operations and maintenance, crash and rescue, safety, aircraft and passenger security, and air traffic control. In addition, the company provides handling and fueling services, and offers parking and hangar and office accommodations for business jets and support activities.

A wholly owned subsidiary of TAG Farnborough Airport Holdings Ltd. is a CAA, FAA, and JAR 145 certified repair station that provides engineering services on a variety of business jet types.

With a heritage of over 45 years, we have more experience than any other provider in the business aviation industry. The expectations of our many clients around the globe are continually exceeded thanks to our expertise, resources, and uncompromising standards for quality service, safety, and ultimate professionalism.

Fact File

• The airport is currently leased by the Ministry of Defence to TAG Farnborough Airport which plans up to 28,000 movements a year.
• During the flying display and the preparation for it, NATS controllers can expect to handle more than 500 aircraft movements a week. The Lower Airspace Radar Service (LARS) at Farnborough is the busiest in the country.
• Civilian flying began at the airport in 1989.
• The first officially-recognised flight by a piloted aircraft in Britain was made by S F Cody over Laffans Plain, which is now the site of Farnborough airport, when he covered 496 yards at a maximum height of 60 feet.

Runway 06/24

8005 x 148 feet
2440 x 45 meters

The content above was published at Airports-Worldwide.com in 2005.
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