First South African University Student begins internship at Airbus in Toulouse, France.
Student programme is the latest element in Airbus' expanding Research & Technology partnership with South Africa.
The first South African post-graduate Engineering student has begun serving an internship at Airbus, the world's leading commercial airliner manufacturer, under a scheme set up with South Africa’s Dept of Trade & Industry’s (DTI) National Aerospace Centre.
Stephen Kriel, an Engineering post-graduate student from the University of Stellenbosch, has been seconded to Airbus's Flight Controls Design & Development unit for four months, where he is gaining invaluable exposure to cutting edge systems and ways of working with a major international hi-tech manufacturer. Equally he is able to make a South African contribution to Airbus' multi-cultural and international approach to developing new solutions and technologies.
Steven has also been one of over 30 talented young South African engineers who have been awarded Airbus bursaries since the aircraft manufacturer launched its South African post-graduates bursary programme in May 2008.
“This opportunity to work as an intern at Airbus gives me the opportunity to test and validate my research into flight controls for large aircraft operating as in-flight refueling tankers and also those receiving fuel from airborne tankers. This formed the basis of my Masters degree at Stellenbosch, which was made possible by the Airbus bursary,” Steven explained.
Steven grew up and lives in Somerset-West in the Western Cape. He attended De Hoop Primary and Hottentots Holland High School before graduating from the University of Stellenbosch with a Masters in Electronics Engineering. He is currently working towards his PhD.
Dale King, Airbus Senior Manager for International Research & Technology Partnerships said: "Airbus has been continually surprised and impressed with the calibre of South African graduates and the innovative, out-of-the-box approach to research shown by our partner universities and institutes in the country. Airbus is looking forward to deepening and expanding these relationships as we expand our partnership with additional R&T activities with South Africa".
Airbus launched its South African university internship programme in 2010 as a logical element in its long-term Research & Technology (R&T) partnership with South Africa's Departments of Trade & Industry and Science & Technology, which was formalised in 2006. Internship candidates are selected and recommended by the DTI’s National Aerospace Centre in conjunction with universities.
To strengthen the R&T partnership, Airbus works closely with the National Aerospace Centre and through it engages with universities and research organisations, including the Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) across the country. Under the partnership, several joint research projects have already been launched with the aim of identifying new and more environmentally efficient ways of designing, manufacturing and operating commercial aircraft. These include studies into the:
• potential application of natural fibres in aircraft cabin structures
• development of new Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques for testing new
aircraft designs
• affects of fuel sloshing in aircraft fuel tanks on aircraft performance and behaviour
• cost-saving and environmental benefits of flying large commercial airliners in
formation over long distances.
Airbus is the leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive family of airliners on the market, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Airbus aircraft share a unique cockpit and operational commonality, allowing airlines to use the same pool of pilots, cabin crews and maintenance engineers, bringing operational flexibility and resulting in significant cost savings.
Airbus has sold over 10,000 aircraft and delivered over 6,500 since its first airliner entered service in 1974. Airbus aircraft are in service with more than 430 customers and operators around the world
