TAG have created a facility which provides the utmost privacy and security for their clients together with an uncluttered environment that sees them quickly through procedures and on their way to whatever business or pleasure needs gave rise to the flight. Need a 'limo' at the steps and Customs and Immigration on board? All part of the service!
    The hangars have the space for the Boeing business jet as the largest visitor. Full servicing facilities are available and the whole place is spotless. The terminal, hangars and control tower are all magnificent examples of very modern architecture constructed to portray aerodynamic shapes.
    No photography is allowed and no customer names are ever divulged outside the need-to-know groups working at the airport. Some 2,800 yearly movements are licenced at present with twice this number planned. Environmental requirements are a top priority; water treatment plants and an animal sanctuary have been established. The perimeter is grazed by Mongolian horses and cattle who have the best close cropping ability to cope with Hampshire gorse.
    The tower, in addition to its everyday function, affords the visitor a most spectacular view of the airfield and its surroundings which, for our visit, included the early construction work for the Farnborough Air Show. Air traffic control is provided by NATS (National Air Traffic Services) between the hours of 0600 and 2200 daily with the airport open for normal business from 0800 to 1800. During Air Show week the controller staff is augmented by some twenty-two additional NATS personnel to handle the greatly increased number of movements. Normal TAG business is curtailed during demonstration flying.
    A prominent landmark seen from the tower is the original HQ of Lord Trenchard, 'father of the RAF', now the home of the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum to which, on completion of our tour, we made our way. Greeted on our arrival by Mr and Mrs Harry Fraser-Mitchell we were ushered into Lord Trenchard's former office to enjoy a splendid buffet very generously provided by Harry and beautifully presented by kind lady volunteers from the Museum.
    Afterwards we were given a superb presentation by David Wilson, delivered with the passion of a true aviation enthusiast. The main topic was Samuel F Cody's British Army Aeroplane No.1 which, at Farnborough on 16 October 1908, performed the first officially recognised powered aeroplane flight in Great Britain. Farnborough was the home of the Royal Engineers who had responsibility for balloons, kites and aeroplane development.
    We were then privileged to be taken to a nearby hangar where a group of Trust members was creating a replica of  'No.1' for display at this year's Farnborough Air Show, together with models of other aircraft of the same period. Countless hours of research and construction have gone into creating the full-scale model. Wood had been sourced in Sweden and the USA.
    One of our Members observed that the castings being used looked to be of a higher standard than perhaps could have been produced a hundred years ago. "A great observation," stated our guide, but Cody was a friend of fellow American engineer Hiram Maxim of Vickers machine gun fame and it was he who made the castings for 'No.1', hence the high quality achieved. The copy castings for the replica cost £17,000 to have made today.
    The Museum contains many very interesting items associated with the work of the former Royal Aircraft Establishment including the fatigue research on the deHavilland Comet. The Museum, which is well worth a visit, is not open every day; for information call 01252 375050. Visits to TAG Airport by recognised groups may be arranged by calling 01252 379000
    As a 'thank you' for the visit to the Museum the Association has sent a cheque for £50 to help with the cost of building the 'No.1' replica.