The exhibits cover over 100 years of aviation history through two world wars, exploring the role of aircraft in these conflicts, through the drama and technological advances of the space race and on to the modern day.

Plans were begun for construction of a visitor centre, later named Aerospace Bristol and due to open in Summer 2017.

[14] On 8 March, a Sea Harrier was delivered to the museum site, airlifted by an RAF Chinook, for display in the exhibition.

South Gloucestershire Council wrote off up to £315,900 of a ten-year £470,000 loan to the Bristol Aerospace Collection Trust, and made a £154,000 grant over four years to help restore the number of school visits, in what was termed a "rescue package" following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The exhibition is themed around seven eras of aviation, with a separate hangar that celebrates the story of Concorde and its local connection:[16]