Aero-engine giant Rolls-Royce today pledged £1m to support the proposed development of the Bristol Aerospace Centre, a new home to showcase the city’s rich aviation heritage and inspire the next generation of aerospace pioneers.
The centre will be based in Filton, close to Rolls-Royce’s historic Bristol plant, which has paid a pivotal role in aero-engine innovation for decades and remains one of the key aerospace employers in the city.
Rolls-Royce also confirmed it will provide a number of iconic aero engines to go on public display at the centre through the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, as well as technical assistance in the development of the exhibition.
Among the engines to be included is the Olympus 593, which powered Concorde. It will be on display alongside Concorde 216, the last of the supersonic airliners to fly.
Rolls-Royce’s support, alongside other pledges from the West’s aerospace sector, is an important component of the Bristol Aero Collection Trust’s application to the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the creation of the centre.
One of the centre’s key aims is to use the exhibits and interactive displays to promote the science, engineering, technology and manufacturing (STEM) educational agenda to younger visitors and inspire them to become the aerospace pioneers of the future.
Rolls-Royce president of services – defence, Paul Craig, said: “Rolls-Royce has been a longstanding and consistent supporter of the plans to establish the Bristol Aerospace Centre and we are delighted to contribute towards it becoming a reality. Together with the Bristol Aero Collection Trust and its supporters we share a great sense of pride in the aviation heritage of this region but we want this centre to inspire the engineers of the future as well as celebrate the fantastic achievements of the past.”
Bristol Aero Collection Trust project director Lloyd Burnell added: “We are very grateful to Rolls-Royce for pledging its support for the Bristol Aerospace centre. As well as celebrating over one hundred years of Bristol’s exceptional aviation heritage, this project will be an inspiration to the next generation of scientists and engineers. We look forward to working with the team at Rolls-Royce to develop an exciting programme of skills and learning activities with our local schools, colleges and universities to cement Bristol's position as a global centre of excellence in the aerospace industry.”
