Korean university students see the future of aerospace with Airbus

Airbus participated in a get-to-know-you event organised by the Korea Aerospace University (KAU) in Seoul this month. Patterned after the naming structure used for introductory collegiate classes, the “Airbus 101” day provided an opportunity to introduce the company to undergraduates and brief them about global trends in the aerospace industry.

Speakers included representatives from the Airbus office in Seoul, the company’s commercial aircraft and the defence and space divisions, the regional innovation team, as well as executives from the Airbus-ATR regional airliner joint venture.

Airbus also supported a university competition that challenged the undergraduates to come up with ideas that could improve the aviation industry. Six teams made it to the final round, which was held on 5 June, with ideas presented to their peers.

Their concepts included a redesigned aircraft seat tray table that provides more space for passengers, seat sensors that let flight attendants know if individual passengers are prepared for take-off and landing, and foldable aircraft wings that help to save space in a hangar.

The top three teams, as judged by a panel of Airbus executives, won the opportunity to visit the company’s headquarters in Toulouse, France. There, they will get the opportunity to learn more about Airbus operations and visit the company’s final assembly lines.

“This was an excellent opportunity to meet the future members of Korea’s aviation industry, introduce them to Airbus, and discuss the latest issues in the aerospace industry,” said Thomas Friedberger, President, Airbus Korea. “We also were very impressed with the presentations. It is an indication of the KAU’s high standards and the excellent quality of its undergraduates. The future is very bright for Korea’s aerospace industry!”