Live from Farnborough International Airshow – Day 2

Anastasiia Selikova – Daily Roving Reporter and Obsolescence Project Manager

Hello from Farnborough!

This morning started long before the visitors and media arrived for the Sherpa introduction. Someone was giving the propeller one final polish. Someone else was straightening a banner that most visitors would probably never notice—but we noticed. Not because someone told us to, but because everyone cared.

That was when I realized something: people don’t connect with the Sherpa because of a sales pitch. They connect with it because they can feel how deeply the people standing beside it believe in it and its purpose. 

One of my favorite moments was watching Rob and Sherry welcome visitors aboard. It reminded me of introducing someone you’re genuinely proud of to your friends—you simply can’t wait for others to see what you already know. You could see how excited they were to welcome visitors aboard the Sherpa, answer every question, and share the aircraft’s story. 

Throughout the day, I watched visitors’ reactions. Many would walk past, stop, turn around, and come back for another look. Most already knew about the Sherpa and were curious about when production would restart. The conversation was focused learning more about the aircraft, about availability and how quickly we could deliver the aircraft. 

Even after the media sessions ended, visitors continued asking to see the cockpit. One person especially stood out. He had spent his career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and was now an aviation photographer. He stopped by the aircraft and stayed almost an hour, sharing stories about the Sherpa. When I invited him inside, his excitement seeing the updated cockpit, interior, and avionics was incredible. It was a proud moment to show him how the aircraft has evolved while keeping the character that makes the Sherpa special.

Many years ago, I came to Farnborough as a university student after winning an aviation competition that gave me the opportunity to attend the show. I walked through the static displays, admired the aircraft, and wondered what it would be like to one day become part of this industry.

I still remember a professor telling us at aviation university: ‘You can cheat your wife, but you will never cheat aviation’ (Disclaimer* this adage is not endorsed by DHC)…It sounded unusual at the time, but years later, standing beside the Sherpa and watching aviation enthusiasts walk around the aircraft with the same curiosity and excitement I have, I think that is what my professor truly meant. 

Never did I imagine that I would return to Farnborough—not as a visitor, but as a representative of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, helping introduce one of our own aircraft to customers from around the world. Someone said to me today, “You can tell this airplane has stories.” I loved that thought.

Having the Sherpa here at Farnborough is a reminder of the incredible teamwork behind every aircraft. From MC2 to Engineering, Manufacturing, Flight Operations, Programs, Marketing, and everyone who contributed, this aircraft represents years of collaboration, dedication, and pride.