19 November 2008
Innovation

Airbus is giving students an opportunity to help shape future the of aviation with its "Fly Your Ideas" (FYI) challenge. This competition seeks innovative ideas, with a €30,000 prize for the team whose concept represents the greatest short- or long-term potential to improve the air transport industry's value and reduce its environmental impact.

The "Fly Your Ideas" challenge is open to college and university students from around the world, working towards a Bachelors, Masters or PhD-level degree in any academic discipline. The competition calls for teams of 3-5 individuals, however larger groups may be accepted as an exception when such teams already are working on a project as part of their formal studies.

Projects submitted for the competition do not have to be technical in nature or scope, and may include ideas such as new materials, systems and alternative energy, as well as aircraft design concepts and operational performance, manufacturing/assembly, and business performance.

First phase of the competition - which includes registration, an on-line quiz and the submission of a project proposal - closes at 12 noon (GMT) on 1 December 2008. The challenge will then be narrowed to five finalist teams, which will develop their project presentations for a live final in Paris in June 2009. These projects will be judged by a panel of Airbus representatives, industry leaders and eco-efficiency experts, and awarding of the prizes will occur at Le Bourget airport on 19 June during the Paris Air Show.

For more information on "Fly Your Ideas," and to register for the competition, see the challenge’s dedicated website: www.airbus-fyi.com.