Fly Your Ideas competition 2025

We merged aerospace engineering and data science, focusing on aviation safety through structural health monitoring with optical methods. Given advancements in anomaly detection, we saw optical techniques as promising. A key challenge was implementing our own anomaly detection algorithm on a self-printed 3D aircraft, initially struggling with recognition techniques before finding a solution. 

Engaging Airbus experts on Drone Pre-Flight Check faults also required bridging theory with real-world applications, refining our approach for practical relevance.

Arriving at Farnborough Airshow was a defining moment—it was surreal to see an idea born in a bedroom reach such a prestigious stage. The event bridged concept and reality, proving bold ideas can truly take flight. Presenting to aerospace experts was incredibly rewarding, as their enthusiasm, support, and feedback refined our innovation. 

Applying university knowledge with creativity to develop a transformative idea was exhilarating. 

The entire experience—airplanes, presentations, and connections—was an unforgettable adventure we'd gladly relive.

Nikolas: The competition helped me secure my current role as a Data Scientist, where I now explore the very algorithms that fascinated me during Fly Your Ideas. While not the sole factor, it reinforced my passion and expanded my skill set, opening doors to new opportunities.

Luis: Structural health monitoring continues to inspire me, leading to research at Stanford University—this time focusing on embedded systems. Feedback at Farnborough highlighted the limitations of optical methods, motivating me to deepen my expertise in embedded solutions.

People often believe that in order to find a great idea or be creative, they need to wait for the right idea or the perfect moment—but this is completely wrong. You don’t need anything except your passion for your subject to come up with an idea you truly stand behind. If you are fully passionate and believe in your idea, everything else will fall into place. It will come naturally. 

So our advice is: dream big, start small, but most importantly—START. 

And Fly Your Ideas is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Fly Your Ideas is an exciting competition for university students in teams across the globe to solve real-world challenges in aviation.

Ethical considerations or AI decision making, Business Modelling on Wing Production, Sustainability in Space

University students across the globe who will have graduated between 2023 - September 2026.

Airbus will evaluate the applications based on originality of idea, link to the Airbus values and future longevity of idea. Airbus will review all submissions, with top 6 being progressed further.

Teams of 3 people. 

Airbus will cover all expenses of the three final teams to travel to the show on Friday 20th June, 2025.

All registered students will be invited to an information briefing on how to submit your ideas and further steps via e-mail.

TheAirbus Global Graduate Programme (AGGP) is a 2 year development programme for new graduates. The winning team will receive a fast track assessment centre interview. We had over 26,000 applications in 2023, making this an extremely exciting opportunity. 

The winning team will receive a fast track assessment center interview for the 2026 cohort. This is subject to CV and qualification review. 

Make sure to register your interest (applications open soon) by 03/03/2025 and follow our instagram @weareairbus for live updates.