Spirit AeroSystems receive Heritage Award from the Royal Aeronautical Society

Recognition of the skill and dedication of decades of staff and companies on the Prestwick Aerodrome site since it was founded by Group Captain David McIntyre in 1935

Aviation Editor Doug Maclean 28^th November 2025.

I was very privileged to watch a piece of aviation history a few days ago when Spirit

Senior Vice President Scott McLarty and General Manager John Gillbanks were presented with the rare Heritage Award by the President of the Prestwick Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Gordon McConnell.

In a very unusual ceremony, the delighted Spirit AeroSystems managers received the award for the staff and achievements of the multiple companies who have occupied the thriving Prestwick Airport site since 1935.

General Manager John Gillbanks welcomed the invited guests “to a very special moment in our site's history - the officialhandover of the Royal Aeronautical Society Heritage plaque.”

He continued by saying “receiving this plaque is a tremendoushonour for everybody who works here at Prestwick and for the generations of the employees who contributed to the site'ssuccess over the last 90 years.”

“I'm delighted to welcome our Royal Aeronautical Societyrepresentatives, including John Stevens, the Secretary, and Gordon McConnell, the president of the Royal AeronauticalSociety Prestwick, who join us not only to celebrate theoccasion, but to formally hand over the plaque.”

“The plaque symbolises far more than just heritage. Itrecognises the people. It honours the apprentices, the fitters,the engineers, the support functions and the leaders who've

worked and helped shape this site and helped it enjoy thedecades of change, innovation and progress.”

“Since 1935, Prestwick has evolved through Scottish AviationLimited,

British Aerospace, BAE Systems and now SpiritAeroSystems”

John noted, at that point, that the names will soon change but the work will continue. In an exclusive interview with Ayrshire Daily News John Gillbanks also said he was looking forward to what would be done over the next 90 years at the Prestwick site.

He continued in his address “Through every transition, one thing remains constant, the pride, the professionalism, the skill of the people who work here. It acknowledges the legacyof craftsmanship, of the apprenticeship and innovation from the Bulldog to the Jetstream and the days of our modern,aerostructures for Airbus and Boeing. It also marks ourcontinued commitment to excellence as we prepare for the next chapter.”

He concluded with “today, as we accept this plaque, we honour not just the milestones, but the people that have madethat possible.”

Scott McLarty, the senior Vice President of Spirit also spoke. He started by noting that the award was ”to celebrate the legacy of Prestwick.” and he thanked the Royal Aeronautical Society for the heritage plaque saying “It's a real honour.”

He noted “there's very few sites in our industry actuallyachieved this accolade.  90 years has been a long time in thehistory. We've done a lot of things and to get, the Heritage recognition is a really proud moment in the history of the site.”

“Prestwick’s story is one of adaptation and leadership. From the early days

of Scottish aviation, as John mentioned, through some very iconic aircraft

programmes and in today's advanced aerostructures work that we do today,

the site has consistently demonstrated both engineering skill,ingenuity, resilience

through tough times, innovation.”

Scott looked back to 1935 when Lord Douglas Hamilton andDavid McIntyre founded the Scottish Aviation College atPrestwick.

“From that point it's been a journey of pushing boundaries and adapting to the times

and making technological breakthroughs, supporting the wareffort and doing many

other challenging things.”

“And what's made that possible has been the people who have come through the

doors and been employees, apprentices, employees and managers and everyone who's

contributed to a very long historical success story.”

He reminded everyone of some of the major projects which formed the history of manufacturing on the site.

“In 1946 we built our first aircraft The Pioneer.

1955, the twin Pioneer followed, which saw global use acrossmultiple continents.

In 1972 we took a leap into commercial aviation with theJetstream programme.

And by 1989 we were rolling out the Jetstream 41.”

Looking at the skills of the audience he said “Also we can'tforget given the flight instructors in the room, that we alsobuilt the Bulldog. The Bulldog was a very important iconicaircraft that trained a lot of the RAF and flew around theworld and trained many other Air Forces.”

Bringing focus on more modern times Scott said “In the 1990swe began a collaboration with Airbus and Boeing working onkey programmes like the A320 and A380.

Many people don't know we actually had the Boeing 747 here and the Boeing 767 and the 777 - The 777 still being here today.”

“In 2020 we redesigned A320 spoilers, developed atechnology called resin infusion technology and built a brand-new spoiler factory which is a world class facility. I'm sure those who have been around it will be very impressed.”

He then noted the incredible success of the current aircraft programme that the Prestwick site works on – “Just recently we did the 2,000^th delivery and that's 10 spoilers per aircraft, 20,000 panels delivered. That's a lot of panels. We celebrated that milestone last month.”

Scott highlighted that the Prestwick aerospace site has some key modern facilities.

“In 2021, we launched the Aerospace Innovation Centre to help shape the future of aerospace, through advanced manufacturing and next Generation flight technologies. And we very much hope to be part of the next generation of single aisle (aircraft) and that technology is already getting laid down today to do that type of success.

Scott then spoke of the future. “Looking ahead, we're on the edge of a new chapter. 2026 brings new things for this factory and the people and setting the next 90 years of this site for technologies, greener materials, smarter aircraft. And Prestwick is definitely ready for that journey.”

“What has never changed has been the spirit of this place, forgive the pun, but the spirit of this place has been fantastic. It's been a great place for everyone who comes here, who enjoys working here, who contributes to it. I think it's a brilliant place to work. It's more than a manufacturing site, it's a community built on craftsmanship, built on pride and innovation. I think that's why the plaque is so meaningful to the team here today. And it honours every person who has contributed to the site over the years and we really truly appreciate the Aeronautical Society making the effort of being here today and making this prestigious award.”

Gordon McConnell then spoke on behalf of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

He noted that although he had started work on this very site 55 years ago he was aware that others, in attendance, were already working on the site when he joined.

“The Heritage Award plaque is recognising the historic role that Prestwick Aerodrome has played, over the last 90 years since it was founded by Group Captain David McIntyre 1935.”

“In 2008, the Royal Aeronautical Society introduced an Aeronautical Heritage

Award scheme to recognise significant contributions made to the art and science of aeronautics. The essence of the scheme is to erect plaques to commemorate

significant people, places and achievements in the history of British aviation. The

intention is to celebrate technological and operational achievements that made an original and unique contribution of global significance.”

Gordon stressed “This is a prestigious award. Around 30 of them have been made since 2008, five in Scotland.”

Explaining why the Prestwick site had been recognised with the Heritage award he said “in particular the evolution of the factory from the early Scottish aviation days through to this new chapter about to be written is of note.”

We all wish the Prestwick team every success in this new opportunity going forward and I'm sure the innovation you spoke about and the people on this site are going to make that a big success.

Gordon then read the inscription on the plaque – “It's entitled Prestwick Pioneers. Since 1935, honouring those who advanced civil and military aviation, developed the Jetstream and produced major aerostructures for Airbus and Boeing, shaping Prestwick's legacy of innovation in aircraft manufacturing.”

He continued – “I think each of us here today can take great pride in being part of this important legacy of aviation at Prestwick. I hope this plaque will inspire future Prestwick pioneers to continue to innovate and develop new technologies for future aircraft programmes here at Prestwick. I must thank John Stevens, Secretary of the Prestwick branch in particular. He is himself a retired, long serving Prestwick employee, for his strong and determined efforts to propose and gain approval from the Society for this award.

Gordon concluded on behalf of the Royal Aeronautical Society by saying. “I also want to thank Spirit Aerosystems team for sponsoring, the plaque itself. Without you we wouldn't have had the plaque either.”

The Heritage Plaque was then unveiled to much applause from the gathered audience.

The event was an excellent marking of the contribution of thousands of people who have made aircraft manufacturing such an important part of Prestwick and Scotland’s industrial past and present. It was particularly pleasing to hear that the company are heavily involved in projects for existing and future aircraft.

I would like to record my thanks to Spirit AeroSystems for the invite to witness this piece of aviation history.