STUDENTS wanting to help shape the future of flight still have time to take part in the global Airbus Fly Your Ideas challenge.

Airbus is asking students worldwide to develop ideas for a more sustainable aviation industry. The winners will share the top prize of ¤30,000; the runners-up ¤15,000. Those wanting to get involved can register until 30 November and submit their initial proposal by December 7.

Charles Champion, executive vice-president Engineering at Airbus and Fly Your Ideas Patron, says: "Fly Your Ideas is a unique opportunity for students to be part of our vision for sustainable aviation. It's now just one month to go before the competition takes off and we're asking anyone interested in helping to shape the future of flight -- from any background and any discipline -- to apply."

This is the third edition of the biennial Fly Your Ideas challenge with more than 350 teams already active on the competition website, representing over 1,400 students and 78 nationalities. All have their sights on the top prize - which also includes an 'innovation week' on campus, run by Airbus experts - but they also stand to benefit in other ways.

The initiative is designed to inspire and better equip the next generation of talent in the aviation industry. It has this year gained the backing of UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), which says Airbus is giving students a rare opportunity to apply classroom learning in a real world environment.

In 2013 students will not only have an Airbus mentor to support the overall direction of their project but will also be assigned an Airbus expert in their chosen field. It means valuable insight into the opportunities in an industry that today supports over 56 million jobs; 35 per cent of world trade; and US$2.2 trillion in global GDP.

The international higher education community can benefit too, with the potential to identify opportunities for R&D development and/or interaction between Airbus and academic research teams. The intellectual property rights of the ideas will remain with the universities.

For more information and to register visit www.airbus-fyi.com.