We Make It Fly

In this special podcast Airbus announces the finalists for the Airbus Quantum Computing Challenge. Joining Rhys Phillips are external judges Elham Kashefi and Iordanis Kerenidis, Thierry Botter from Airbus Blue Sky and Lee-Ann Ramcherita from Airbus' Flight Physics department. Tune in now to find out more about the problem statements set for the challenge, the innovative solutions proposed and more information on the next steps of the challenge.

In the first of two podcasts, Rhys Phillips presents a documentary around quantum computing technology and its applications within aerospace. Airbus' very own Lee-Ann Ramcherita and Thierry Botter, alongside external experts Iordanis Kerenidis and Elham Kashefi, discuss the benefits that quantum computing can provide to flight physics problems within Airbus, and introduce the Airbus Quantum Computing Challenge.

The X3’s legacy lives on with today’s RACER demonstrator, part of the European Union's Clean Sky 2 research programme. RACER improves upon the X3’s simple, proven formula, marrying higher speed with cost efficiency and fuel savings.Flying 50% faster than a conventional helicopter by combining a main rotor with boxed wings and propellers, RACER could have a major impact on missions where speed means lives, such as emergency medical services and search and rescue.On the 10th anniversary of the X3's first flight, let's take a walk back in time – and then into the future – with Tomasz Krysinski, the head of the X3 programme and today’s Head of Research & Innovation at Airbus Helicopters.And don't miss the two previous episodes, with X3 test pilot Hervé Jammyrac, X3 flight test engineer Dominique Fournier, and U.S. tech rep Jonathan Hubbell.

Creating the X3 required exceptional secrecy and a unique team. Up until its first flight, only a small group knew of the X3’s existence. In this episode, X3 flight test engineer Dominique Fournier explains the tactics that made this possible; from isolating teams, to early-morning truck rides in the cover of darkness. This secrecy also helped create a tightly welded team of exceptional profiles from around the world. How does one get selected for such an elite project? Jonathan Hubbell, the American technical representative who was hand-picked to accompany the X3 on its US demo tour, shows us how his after-work hobby helped land him the job of a lifetime.

When Randy Bresnik was a young child, all he wanted to do was fly. Fast-forward to 2020 and the retired U.S. Marine has surpassed even his wildest dreams – having distinguished himself both as a fighter pilot and test pilot before making two trips to space as a NASA astronaut.Bresnik discusses a broad range of topics in Airbus’ latest podcast, providing insights on space cooperation between Europe and the United States, his experience aboard the International Space Station, the various training involved, and more.

Over the course of its three-year journey, Airbus Helicopters' high-speed helicopter demonstrator, the X3, performed nearly 200 flights on two continents, while breaking a world record and pulling off incredible stunts – like racing a high-speed TGV train. Guiding the X3 each step of the way was test pilot Hervé Jammayrac. On the tenth anniversary of X3’s first flight, Jammayrac, now chief test pilot at Airbus Helicopters, reminisces about those memorable times.And don't miss the next two episodes in this series, with head of research and innovation, Tomasz Krysinski, X3 flight test engineer Dominique Fournier, and U.S. tech rep Jonathan Hubbell.