Recent events on the world financial scene mean that the Annual Conference title of Facing Up to the Future is both compelling and relevant. But we need to resist the temptation continually to adopt short-term solutions. Rather, we need to be mindful of the strategic horizon and be in a position to invest in those concepts, technologies and processes that represent sustainable solutions regardless of the challenge whether economic, military or environmental.

This conference seeks to do just that by considering the strategic relevance of air power, the availability of novel, future-proofing technologies and the need to take a holistic but sustainable approach to the transport needs of tomorrow. But the approach is not theoretical. The subjects will be treated with a healthy dose of pragmatism so as to allow judgements to be made about tomorrow which take account of today’s difficult circumstances.