Editor's comment: A winged world of wonder

But like an energetic rookie pilot on their first mission, there’s so much to comprehend in terms of the sheer size and scope of a competitive and vibrant industry that in terms of design and manufacturing technology, knows no bounds.

The latest lightweight composite aerostructures, increasing integration of embedded electronics, composite structures that can carry signals, and environmental initiatives means technology breakthroughs happen nearly as regularly as flights in and out of our busiest airports. It continues to demonstrate that the industry is a hotbed for continually evolving innovative product designs, full of creative people thinking not only of the here and now, but of the aircraft of tomorrow.

New entrants will be amazed how one of the most dynamic growth sectors in the aerospace domain - the emergence of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle systems – continues apace. Whilst early aviators demonstrated that man could fly in an aeroplane, just over a century later and we’re faced with a future where aeroplanes will fly themselves.

And they’ll be impressed by the way the industry strives to preserve something it’s worked so hard to create, namely the aerospace supply chain. Faced with a turbulent economy mired in Brexit and the growth of overseas competition, tier suppliers are pulling the stops out and trying to pull together in the same direction.

In a bid to maintain continuous improvement programmes, aerospace organisations and clusters are helping provide the glue to consolidate the long-term future of the industry. Simply put, it’s a way of doing what we all already do but in a more joined up way - and long may it continue.

Mike Richardson, Editor