At a time of unprecedented change within the industry, the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) frequently finds itself at the core of the rumour mill.
In an interview with Flight Daily News just before the Paris air show, SBAC director general David Marshall outlined some of the major industry issues which he feels will be 'hot topics' at the last major international show of the millennium.
How does he feel that the rapidly changing and consolidating world of international aerospace will affect the industry in the UK?
Opinion
He responds by pointing out that in his opinion, pundits shouldn't try and pre-judge history.
He says: "We're undoubtedly at a watershed for the entire industry, although many of the questions are still unanswered.
"While the balance between civil and military is changing in the former's favour, there's a surprising degree of continuity on the military side... with many major programmes still to be fought for and won. 'GB Limited's' exports are very strong and I foresee this continuing and strengthening well into the new century.
"On the civil side, both Airbus (with its huge British Aerospace involvement) and Rolls-Royce are performing very strongly and this has a beneficial knock-on effect for many of the smaller supplier companies which are so strong in Great Britain."
He also points out that events in Iraq, Serbia and Kosovo are bound to provide a shot in the arm for the UK armaments industry, especially as the UK's NATO co-members were expressing concern about the Royal Air Force's capability, even before the recent conflicts.
He says: "The Americans are quite concerned that the UK's not keeping up and investing as much as necessary."
Does he feel that the UK's ever-closer relationship with Europe means that the SBAC should become the SEAC?
"No, not at all," he retorts. "We are already members of the European Association of Aerospace Industries (AECMA), playing an active role in that body and ensuring that Great Britain's interests are represented.
"So long as Whitehall doesn't become the British department of the European government, then we'll maintain our independence too.
"Governments like dealing with trade bodies like SBAC and our focus is more national than European although around 10% of our budget goes into AECMA.
"We've recently been waving the British flag in discussions on the European safety authority and the hushkits issue with the USA and some people might be surprised to learn how much influence we have both with the British Government as well as in Brussels and further afield."
The worst possible scenario, he says, would be a major trade war with the USA over some silly issue such as Concorde landing rights or project subsidies.
"There's sometimes frustration in Europe that the Americans tend to slow everything down but while we must maintain the pace as much as possible, we mustn't lose our patience altogether.
"We're also keen on forging links with trade bodies in Canada and the USA as well as directly with organisations like GIFAS in France and the German and Italian organisations."
Commenting on the financial difficulties and recession in much of the Far East, Marshall says that the effect on the industry in the UK has been minimal.
"Although the problem hasn't gone away," he points out, "its worst effects are probably behind us now and Asia continues to be a good market for Great Britain."
Development
Looking ahead into the coming millennium, Marshall feels that the next major development in civil aviation could involve a 'leap frog' process.
"The next generation of airliners," he says, "may well feature new propulsion techniques, a blended-body structure or other revolutionary systems.
"My only concern is that without further consolidation in the European industry, the Americans could steal the march on us and I don't want to see that happen."
Source: Flight Daily News