An aeronautics competition could open doors for students and encourage innovation in the aviation industry.

“Fly Your Ideas” competition is part of the 28th Congress of the International Council of Aeronautical Sciences.

And the prize for the winner: 30,000 Euros.

Thomas Hartley reports.

TRANSCRIPT

Aspiring aviators have been offered the opportunity to develop an idea that might be taken up by aircraft giant Airbus.

The Fly Your Ideas competion is open to those studying a Bachelor degree, Masters or PhD with the focus on a more eco-efficient aviation industry.

Charles Champion, Head of Engineering, Airbus: “Fly Your Ideas is basically to engage the engineers, students of the world in order to shape the future of aviation.”

Students will be judged by an expert panel comprising aviation top guns.

Isabelle Floret, Snr Vice President, Airbus Pacific: “We want to see more Australian people because I think there’s a real passion for aviation in Australia.”

Winner of the inaugural FYI award Michael Heitzman encouraged students to think bigger and bolder.

Michael Heitzman, 2009 FYI Winner: “Definitely just go for it, there’s really not much to lose because it goes over three rounds.”

Students here are excited at the prospects, and were keen to get underway.

Vox 1: “Yeah it’s great. I’m really enjoying the conference.”

Vox 2: “It’s helped me look into where I want to go with my life research.”

Vox 3: “I’ll definitely have to have a chat to some of my friends about proposing an idea.”

Already over 500 teams have signed up for this year’s competition.

The final in June next year will see top contestants present their ideas to a panel of industry experts; the winners sure to see their ideas take off.

Thomas Hartley, QUT News.