Anastasiia Selikova –Daily Roving Reporter and Obsolescence Project Manager
Hello from Farnborough, this is Anastasiia Selikova, and I’m going to be your Roving Reporter from the DHC chalet at Farnborough this week.
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Anastasiia Selikova – DHC Roving Reporter at Farnborough |
My first impression of Farnborough 2026 is the incredible scale and energy of the show. With approximately 1,600 exhibitors, Farnborough brings together global aerospace companies, governments, suppliers, and customers to exchange ideas and shape the future of aviation. Representing DHC on this international stage is both exciting and meaningful.
The day began with final preparations before customer meetings. Watching our team prepare highlighted the importance of collaboration across DHC, with Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Customer Support, Programs, and many other teams contributing behind the scenes.
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DHC Chalet – Final team preparations |
DHC welcoming first guests into the Chalet |
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Team is aligning on external communications |
Ryan DeBrusk and Peter Elmsly-Smith with fully charged social batteries |
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Exicited for Canada Pavillion to begin |
Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport Canada, |
One of the biggest observations from Day 1 was how quickly aerospace is evolving. The exhibition showcased strong focus on defense, advanced technologies, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and digital solutions, reflecting the industry’s need for innovation and adaptability.
It was inspiring to see Canadian aerospace strongly represented and to hear Melanie Joly (Minister of Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions) publicly recognize De Havilland’s contribution to aerial firefighting through our Canadair aircraft. It reinforced that our aircraft are more than products, they support communities, protect people, and perform critical missions worldwide.
The strong interest in DHC aircraft was clear at the static display. The Sherpa attracted many visitors who stopped to take photos, ask questions, and learn about its capabilities. In approximately 1.5 hours, around 100 visitors engaged with the aircraft.
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The Sherpa in place at Farnborough
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Farnborough visitors were thrilled to see the Pack Rat on static display |
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DHC team getting ready to answer customer questions about the Sherpa |
Rob and Sherry excited to explore the new interiors of the Sherpa |
A key highlight was observing our leadership team engaging with customers and suppliers where they focused not only on business opportunities but also on long-term partnerships, future challenges, and collaboration. Another highlight was seeing the strong representation of women across aerospace, from pilots and engineers to executives and industry leaders, demonstrating the diverse talent shaping the future of aviation.
I had the opportunity to walk around the show with Jean-Philippe Cote (Chief Strategy Officer) and engaged with new representatives from Farnborough exhibitors to build strategic partnerships. It gave me real appreciation for the level of relationships and knowledges required in this role. Afterwards it was inspiring to see and hear so many companies showcasing their latest innovations across the exhibition.
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Swedish aircraft Gripen is our neighbour on the static display |
Hall 4 where the team spent half of the day exploring aerospace innovations from all around the world
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Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat – unmanned autonomous combat vehicle developed |
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By the end of the day, my watch showed nearly 20,000 steps while touring the exhibition halls which is almost the length of a small airport runway. Every step brought a new conversation, technology, aircraft and perspective.
Tomorrow, the pace increases with another full schedule of customer meetings at the DHC Chalet and introducing our Sherpa to the media. I look forward to learning from our customers, suppliers, and leadership team and sharing more stories from Farnborough.
Hear what @Peter Elmsly-Smith has to say about Day 1 at Farnborough!
Stay tuned for Day 2 from Farnborough!
Team: News