<p><img alt="Biggin Hill Airport" src="/getasset/f1c1e566-6a04-4670-9e17-66164ada601e/" /></p>
<p>Biggin Hill is best known as one of London’s gateways for private aviation. But the former RAF base, on the south east edge of London, wants to be more than that, and is positioning itself as an aerospace hub. Although the airport has traditionally been home to a collection of assorted aviation businesses – from flying schools and maintenance hangars to historic aircraft restoration sheds – the owners have ambitions to lure the sort of upscale operations that rival Farnborough has been successful in persuading to set up there.</p>
<p>And while having those businesses there will attract talent, Biggin Hill also wants to be able to guarantee a pool of skilled professionals, based locally or within commuting distance, to any potential investor.</p>
<p>Biggin already hosts Bombardier’s UK maintenance headquarters and an adjacent VIP terminal run by Signature. It is building a crew hotel. A new London Aerospace & Technology College is also set to open on the airport grounds in 2020, and Biggin Hill – with an eye to retaining the top talents after they graduate – has just launched a scheme to encourage youngsters to study STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) subjects.</p>
<p>Dubbed Unite to Inspire, it brings together the airport’s community of 70 resident aviation companies, which include Textron Aviation, RAS Completions and helicopter specialist Castle Air. Biggin Hill has appointed a STEM ambassador, who also happens to be a local councillor and former mayor for the London Borough of Bromley, which includes the Biggin Hill neighbourhood. Hannah Gray will visit schools to spread the word about the career opportunities of a STEM-driven career in aviation.</p>
<p>It is the sort of initiative more aerospace businesses will have to adopt. A steady supply of STEM-educated students – as well as the offer of an exciting career path – is essential for the industry’s future.</p>
<p>Biggin Hill is best known as one of London’s gateways for private aviation. But the former RAF base, on the south east edge of London, wants to be more than that, and is positioning itself as an aerospace hub. Although the airport has traditionally been home to a collection of assorted aviation businesses – from flying schools and maintenance hangars to historic aircraft restoration sheds – the owners have ambitions to lure the sort of upscale operations that rival Farnborough has been successful in persuading to set up there.</p>
<p>And while having those businesses there will attract talent, Biggin Hill also wants to be able to guarantee a pool of skilled professionals, based locally or within commuting distance, to any potential investor.</p>
<p>Biggin already hosts Bombardier’s UK maintenance headquarters and an adjacent VIP terminal run by Signature. It is building a crew hotel. A new London Aerospace & Technology College is also set to open on the airport grounds in 2020, and Biggin Hill – with an eye to retaining the top talents after they graduate – has just launched a scheme to encourage youngsters to study STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) subjects.</p>
<p>Dubbed Unite to Inspire, it brings together the airport’s community of 70 resident aviation companies, which include Textron Aviation, RAS Completions and helicopter specialist Castle Air. Biggin Hill has appointed a STEM ambassador, who also happens to be a local councillor and former mayor for the London Borough of Bromley, which includes the Biggin Hill neighbourhood. Hannah Gray will visit schools to spread the word about the career opportunities of a STEM-driven career in aviation.</p>
<p>It is the sort of initiative more aerospace businesses will have to adopt. A steady supply of STEM-educated students – as well as the offer of an exciting career path – is essential for the industry’s future.</p>