Published in Midwest Flyer – October/November 2019 Issue
OSHKOSH, WIS. – Airbus highlighted three big stories at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, July 22-28, 2019, with special exhibits on innovation for the future of commercial air travel and aerospace.
AIR TAXI – VAHANA! One of the hottest stories in aviation today is the design for the world’s first autonomous “air taxi” – the Airbus Vahana VTOL – which is an all-electric, single-seat, tilt-wing vehicle demonstrator that focuses on advancing self-piloted, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flight. To date, Vahana has flown over 80 full-scale test flights. The prototype for this aircraft made its Oshkosh debut. Vahana is part of the Airbus Urban Air Mobility effort to provide an alternative to congestion encountered in urban areas.
JOBS IN AEROSPACE! Airbus continues to build its inclusive and diverse employee community across the U.S. by recruiting employees at AirVenture.
STUDENTS MAKING PLANES! Another display on innovation at the Airbus booth included an RV-12 experimental light sport aircraft built by Wichita, Kansas-area high school students as part of an educational program sponsored by the Airbus Foundation. The two-seat airplane was the first RV-12 built in 2018 by select students from the Maize School District’s Career Academy aerospace engineering program.
The Airbus Foundation provides funding for the Flying Challenge program through the educational, non-profit Tango Flight of Georgetown, Texas. Students built the aircraft under the supervision and mentorship of volunteers from the Airbus Americas Engineering Center in Wichita, and Wichita State University’s Technical College (WSU Tech). The aircraft was auctioned off during AirVenture with the proceeds going back into supporting the ongoing student program.
