GAMTA CHIEF executive Graham Forbes is calling for the UK Government to take a more active role in the marketing of UK general-aviation (GA) products.
He says that, compared to other countries in the industry, UK-based aircraft manufacturers suffer from a lack of up-front Government or military orders. " Nor do we have internal investment to help-and without this investment we do not have the cash to market our products on the world stage. No doubt the Pilatus Britten-Norman Defender 4000 maritime-patrol aircraft will receive Government orders, but not at the initial production stage when orders are most needed, " he adds.
Forbes says that, by looking elsewhere in the world, the UK Government can see how investment works. "We all know that Government support finds its way into the aerospace industry in the USA, and GA is no exception," he says.
In France, continues Forbes, Aerospatiale has realised that it is worth sustaining Socata products because they act as a low-cost entry vehicle into new markets. Once GA aircraft are established in a country of interest, France's aviation culture is established, with the ultimate sale of Airbus aircraft as the goal.
"Discussions within the general-aviation sector in the UK suggest that a centralised marketing facility, properly funded, would act as a springboard for a sales offensive. A natural choice of location would be Farnborough," says Forbes, "but financial support is needed. We would like support from Government, especially for overseas marketing activity-the sums involved are not large, but the benefits for aerospace in the UK in the long-term could be great."
Source: Flight International
