British youngsters fly high with EADS at Farnborough Airshow

Citation

(2008), "British youngsters fly high with EADS at Farnborough Airshow", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780fab.014

British youngsters fly high with EADS at Farnborough Airshow

Article Type: Aerospace world From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 80, Issue 6

At the recent Farnborough International Airshow 2008, EADS and the EADS divisions Airbus, Astrium, Eurocopter and defence and security were the main sponsors of International Youth Day. The aim of the initiative was to introduce teenage students to the aerospace industry and to bring together representatives of exhibiting companies and gifted young people.

“The International Youth Day at Farnborough Airshow was a great opportunity for us to meet bright and technology savvy youngsters,” said Thorsten Möllmann, Head of HR Marketing at EADS.

EADS participated in the careers fair where pupils and young students had the chance to speak with HR recruiters and young engineers and learn more about EADS and other aerospace companies.

A science and technology fair was also scheduled for the show, the corporate research and development organisation of EADS – together with Airbus UK and Astrium UK, provided hands-on activities aimed at inspiring 14- to 16-year-olds to become involved in science, engineering and technology. One activity tasked youngsters with building an aircraft to a deadline using construction toy sets. They were also invited to build a paper rocket and then test its compressed air propulsion. For the “eggsat” challenge, youngsters were given materials such as foam, balloons and string and asked to build a transportation system for an egg. The challenge is to keep the “payload” intact when the vehicle is dropped into a tray.

Another activity challenge for the young students was based on materials used in a satellite construction such as thermal blankets and heating pipes. Alongside, an adaptive rotor blade exhibit will help to explain how helicopter noise and vibration can be reduced.

Throughout the entire week of the Farnborough Airshow, EADS human resources personnel were inviting highschool pupils, students and young professionals to consider a future in the aerospace industry. At the EADS stand, HR representatives from all Divisions provided information about career opportunities within the company. Workshops hosted by Airbus and Eurocopter, were held aimed especially at engineering students from designated universities in the UK as well as young professionals.