Young engineers design, build and fly
Show notes
As the aviation industry continues to clamour for talented engineers, fostering talent in the next generation is ever more important.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' annual Design/Build/Fly competition – held this year in Wichita, Kansas – attracted young engineers with the challenge of designing, building, and testing a banner-towing bush plane that could carry mock passengers and cargo.
Among the teams was a contingent from RMIT University in Melbourne, including aerospace engineering and logistics supply chain student Viviene Beins and aerospace engineering (honours) student Marcus Serong.
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Defence Connect's Robert Dougherty speaks with the duo at ICAS 2026 in Sydney on what the Australian aerospace and defence industry can do to attract and retain the next generation of engineers.