Farnborough – the home of aviation

Dogsbody Technology are based in Farnborough, Hampshire, UK,  the home of aviation!

Our offices are on Cody Technology Park named after none other than Samuel Franklin Cody; In October 1908, Samuel Franklin Cody embarked on the first powered, controlled and sustained flight in the UK from Farnborough airfield (the UK’s first airfield in aviation history). He flew the British Army Aeroplane No. 1, covering some 1,400 feet over Farnborough, in 27 seconds and at an altitude of 30 to 40 ft.

Farnborough has strong ties to aviation with the Farnborough Airshow, Farnborough Airport, Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE), and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) all in our small town.

With so much history there are some hidden gems you have to visit:

Farnborough Air Sciences Trust

Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) exists to safeguard and promote Farnborough’s great heritage in aviation science.

Housing a brilliant museum of aviation history, Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST) admission is free (unless you want the tour) however it is a registered charity so relies on donations and wonderful volunteers to preserve and promote Farnborough’s great heritage in aviation science.

FAST also offers exclusive guided tours of areas of Farnborough’s historic aviation quarter not normally open to the public, these include the Farnborough Centrifuge and Wind Tunnel

The Farnborough Centrifuge

Situated in a Grade 2 listed building this man-carrying centrifuge is a must see in our opinion.

The first of its kind back in 1955, its was the first machine in Britain able to test human subjects and their equipment under the effects of high-G without exposing them to the potentially fatal risk of actual flight.

Tours are given by people with first hand experience of the Centrifuge including ex pilots and mechanics with an obvious passion for its heritage and story.

The tour exceeded all our expectation and could have listened to our two guides experiences of this incredible facility for hours more 🙂 We all came out with smiles on our faces at an afternoon thoroughly well spent 🙂

Yes, “Visitors are able to actually sit in the (non-operational) centrifuge and there are plenty of opportunities for photographs”.

There latest tour dates can be found here or email  info@farnboroughcentrifuge.org.uk  if you have a group wishing to visit or to request a tour on another date – they will do there best to arrange a convenient date for you (minimum group size 2, maximum 20).

Wind Tunnel

Another Farnborough Landmark The Wind Tunnel is also open for tours on selected days throughout the year.

You will get to see two of the remaining tunnels from the world famous Royal Aircraft Establishment. Building Q121, a Grade 1 listed building, houses the ’24 foot wind tunnel’ whilst Building R52, a Grade 2 listed building, is the oldest wind tunnel building on the former RAE site and houses the wooden 4’x 3’ ‘Low Turbulence Wind Tunnel.

You can request a tour or email secretary@airsciences.org.uk.

There is plenty more to see and do in our work town but we wanted to highlight a couple of absolutely gems in our opinion.

Farnborough is always heavily in the media due to it history.  Farnborough Airport is the only airport in the UK dedicated to private jets and YouTubers have been lucky enough (if your that way inclined) to go on the Farnborough Centrifuge. Farnborough has a rich history and can be found on and mentioned in TV series, streaming sites and Radio shows.

This post is not sponsored in any way – we just love our little piece of Hampshire and its history.