<p><img alt="Andy Coulson" src="/getasset/b1c2d1cf-d1f8-456f-8a91-199cc73c0d16/" /></p>
<p>As head of air show operations at Farnborough International, Andy Coulson has helped to transform the venue from hard standing and grass to three exhibition halls, four chalet rows and many outside displays.</p>
<p><strong>How did you end up working at Farnborough?</strong></p>
<p>I started working in construction when I was 17 and stayed within the industry for many years. I moved on to Farnborough 26 years ago and have been fortunate enough to be a part of more than a dozen successful shows.</p>
<p><strong>What are your responsibilities and what sort of qualifications would someone need to do your job?</strong></p>
<p>During my time at Farnborough International, my job expanded to include different responsibilities and I now become involved in just about anything. Primarily, I am a site manager – I develop the entire infrastructure that will allow the show to take place, and I am responsible for co-ordinating emergency services and developing crucial site regulations. Many of the qualifications required for this kind of job are skills that cannot necessarily be learned and are ultimately dependent on the individual. For example, it’s important to be able to cope well under stress. You are constantly bombarded with phone calls and emails, and must be able to keep on top of a vast array of responsibilities. A logical, pragmatic mind is crucial – you will be confronted with many problems that need to be solved quickly and calmly. Being an enthusiastic team player and skilled communicator are other necessary qualities. It has taken me a lot of time to build a highly skilled, trusted and efficient team of contractors. This team is vital – after all, they form the real lifeblood of the entire system.</p>
<p><strong>What have the past couple of months been like? </strong></p>
<p>The five- to six-week build-up to the show inevitably involves a lot of hard work. At times it can be frustrating, but I have never found it to be overwhelmingly stressful. In fact, I’d say that the build-up is my favourite part. I thrive on the buzz of excitement, as well as being able to interact with so many different people. Most of the action and core problems arise on the first day of the show, but things begin to settle down as the week progresses. The air show has become progressively more difficult over the course of the years and the requirements from exhibitors have become more complex too.</p>
<p><strong>What does a typical day look like during the show? </strong></p>
<p>I am responsible for maintaining everything that happens on site. I make the key decisions to ensure everything operates smoothly. Given the complexity of the show, it’s likely that some problems will be entirely out of your control. Intense heat or heavy rainfall, for example, can catalyse any number of issues. We have a large team of contractors, including plumbing and electrical firms, security and coach companies. I’ve built up strong working relationships with them all, which is important in getting any potential problems resolved as quickly as possible. One of the key things I have implemented during my time here is our emergency response plan. Working with the emergency services, specialist consultancies and the rest of the team at Farnborough International, we have developed detailed procedures that enable us to cope with just about any type of eventuality.</p>
<p><strong>You are retiring at the end of the show. What are your plans and what advice would you give your successor? </strong></p>
<p>I am moving on to something a little more straightforward. My best advice to my successor, or anyone looking to join in the future, is do your planning properly, be organised and, above all, don’t panic.</p>
<p><strong>What has been the most memorable moment? </strong></p>
<p>I believe all of the shows have been memorable in different ways. Each comprises different responsibilities and expectations. The common denominator between them all is simply that there are no second chances. Everything has to run according to plan, and must be fully prepared and ready to go before a very strict deadline. Bringing the impressive Hall 1 to life was certainly a highlight, as was designing and building the permanent chalets.</p>
<p>As head of air show operations at Farnborough International, Andy Coulson has helped to transform the venue from hard standing and grass to three exhibition halls, four chalet rows and many outside displays.</p>
<p><strong>How did you end up working at Farnborough?</strong></p>
<p>I started working in construction when I was 17 and stayed within the industry for many years. I moved on to Farnborough 26 years ago and have been fortunate enough to be a part of more than a dozen successful shows.</p>
<p><strong>What are your responsibilities and what sort of qualifications would someone need to do your job?</strong></p>
<p>During my time at Farnborough International, my job expanded to include different responsibilities and I now become involved in just about anything. Primarily, I am a site manager – I develop the entire infrastructure that will allow the show to take place, and I am responsible for co-ordinating emergency services and developing crucial site regulations. Many of the qualifications required for this kind of job are skills that cannot necessarily be learned and are ultimately dependent on the individual. For example, it’s important to be able to cope well under stress. You are constantly bombarded with phone calls and emails, and must be able to keep on top of a vast array of responsibilities. A logical, pragmatic mind is crucial – you will be confronted with many problems that need to be solved quickly and calmly. Being an enthusiastic team player and skilled communicator are other necessary qualities. It has taken me a lot of time to build a highly skilled, trusted and efficient team of contractors. This team is vital – after all, they form the real lifeblood of the entire system.</p>
<p><strong>What have the past couple of months been like? </strong></p>
<p>The five- to six-week build-up to the show inevitably involves a lot of hard work. At times it can be frustrating, but I have never found it to be overwhelmingly stressful. In fact, I’d say that the build-up is my favourite part. I thrive on the buzz of excitement, as well as being able to interact with so many different people. Most of the action and core problems arise on the first day of the show, but things begin to settle down as the week progresses. The air show has become progressively more difficult over the course of the years and the requirements from exhibitors have become more complex too.</p>
<p><strong>What does a typical day look like during the show? </strong></p>
<p>I am responsible for maintaining everything that happens on site. I make the key decisions to ensure everything operates smoothly. Given the complexity of the show, it’s likely that some problems will be entirely out of your control. Intense heat or heavy rainfall, for example, can catalyse any number of issues. We have a large team of contractors, including plumbing and electrical firms, security and coach companies. I’ve built up strong working relationships with them all, which is important in getting any potential problems resolved as quickly as possible. One of the key things I have implemented during my time here is our emergency response plan. Working with the emergency services, specialist consultancies and the rest of the team at Farnborough International, we have developed detailed procedures that enable us to cope with just about any type of eventuality.</p>
<p><strong>You are retiring at the end of the show. What are your plans and what advice would you give your successor? </strong></p>
<p>I am moving on to something a little more straightforward. My best advice to my successor, or anyone looking to join in the future, is do your planning properly, be organised and, above all, don’t panic.</p>
<p><strong>What has been the most memorable moment? </strong></p>
<p>I believe all of the shows have been memorable in different ways. Each comprises different responsibilities and expectations. The common denominator between them all is simply that there are no second chances. Everything has to run according to plan, and must be fully prepared and ready to go before a very strict deadline. Bringing the impressive Hall 1 to life was certainly a highlight, as was designing and building the permanent chalets.</p>