About FAST and its Vision
When was FAST formed and why?
"FAST" is The Farnborough Air Sciences Trust. It was formed in November 1993 to save the Farnborough's historic Main Factory Site from wholesale demolition. It seemed then that the nation and the world was about to lose an important piece of aviation heritage.
The Original Aims
FAST saw a unique opportunity to revitalise the birthplace of British Aviation as and Air and Space Sciences Centre of international cultural importance.
The core of the concept was to take advantage of the most up-to-date technology from Research Agencies and the Aerospace Industry to create an evolving exhibition offering an exciting range of specialised features (flight simulators, interactive displays, space technology, industrial showcase etc.)
Where possible, surviving historic buildings would be used thus linking the past, present and future of this world famous site. FAST were keen to promote enhancing the environmental impact of the site by careful landscaping and architectural design.
The Current Aims
FAST continues to work to safeguard Farnborough's significant contribution to aviation throughout the 20th Century, in co-operation with Slough Estates plc, owners of the site, Rushmoor Borough Council, Hampshire County Council and other organisations, through its work to restore for re-use key historic ex-RAE facilities. FAST aims to continue the work of documenting the enormous volume of records, exhibits and artifacts and to gradually make it available in exhibitions and on-line. FAST also has available to it the first-hand expertise of ex-RAE staff which can be added to the resources that could be applied to making a world-class educational visitor centre.
How does FAST operate?
At the heart of FAST is a Charitable Trust - The Farnborough Air Sciences Trust. A chairman and board of trustees provides policy and leadership and is responsible to the Charities Commission for the normal legal duties of any charitable trust. Supporting the Trustees are two organisations and many volunteers.
- The FAST Association. The Association's aims are to support
the
Trust by raising funds and being a focus for the support given by
volunteers. The members produce a newsletter and have a web address
well known to the Farnborough community as
"FASTA" .
This website is under re-construction and will contain up to date news
and photos of museum exhibits.
- Ex-RAE apprentices run their
own organisation and are very active
in maintaining contact with one another and running events. They run
their own website RAE
ex-apprentices'
website
- Farnborough Air Sciences Heritage Limited (FASHL). This newly formed (April 2007) company's main activity will be responsibility for the running of the Museum building and overall site, and the development of fund-raising activities on behalf of the Trust. The Trustees have plans to reactivate a historic wind tunnel in the refurbished R52 structure as part of an ambitious educational project and the new company is expected to play a role in providing the building and handling commercial aspects of the project.
The Future
FAST want to see
- a lively project to celebrate a Century of aerospace research and development on the nation's most historic aviation site
- the historic buildings restored and cared for in an "Historic Quarter" setting having a special feel differentiating it from the business park in which it sits.
- unique facilities for educational and heritage visitors in and around the historic buildings
- FAST's world-class collection of exhibits, records and artifacts cared for and displayed
- the wind tunnels powered up and commercial users for some of them
- a focus for other collections and serious historical research
- stimulation of greater public awareness and understanding of the aerospace sciences
- inspiration for future generations.
What will FAST do to get there?
- build on the success of protecting the most significant buildings with listed building status
- actively promote the appropriate development of the surroundings of the listed buildings
- work with Rushmoor B.C. on planning applications - FAST is an approved consultee
- assess educational and commercial market for wind tunnels
- assess the technical possibilities of bringing wind tunnels back into use
- actively care for the Collection and promote its use.
- advise Slough Estates on how commercial activities could benefit the Historic Quarter
- seek funding for the realisation of projects.
Version: 1.02 date: 23 June 2004, URL: http://www.farnboroughairsciences.org.uk