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The UC3M will have a horizontal stabilizer from Airbus to use in aerospace and aeronautical engineering teaching

10/7/20

The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has received a horizontal stabilizer from the Airbus Commercial Aircraft plant in Getafe, which will be used for teaching in the Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering and the Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

The horizontal stabilizer was delivered during a ceremony held in the UC3M's Science Park hangar. Juan Romo, President of the UC3M, Manuel Huertas, President of Airbus Operations S.L., Jesús Lopez Medina, Manager of Airbus’ plant in Getafe, and a representation of lecturers from the University and workers from the Airbus factory attended the event.

“The aim of the UC3M’s aerospace engineering area is to use the hangar as a teaching space that has two objectives. Firstly, we intend to establish an exhibition area for aeronautical and aerospace components, equipment and systems. Secondly, we want to have a small drone flight area. Having this exhibition area is very convenient for teaching as it allows students to get to know, visualise and touch real structures. The horizontal stabilizer that Airbus has just donated to us will be the main feature of this exhibition, which we will complete with other components and systems,” Pablo Fajardo stated.

The horizontal stabilizer, also known as the tailplane, is the small wing that sits on the tail of the aircraft and the component which keeps the aircraft balanced on its traverse axis. The piece that was donated to the University by Airbus belongs to the A320 aircraft family, weighs 700kgs and measures 12.5x4.5m (similar to the length of a bus). 

A multidisciplinary team made up of more than 40 people worked on its design at the Airbus Commercial Aircraft plant in Getafe. The UC3M and Airbus are collaborating on the academic as well as the R&D&I fields from the Airbus-UC3M Joint Technologies Activity Centre. The transfer of knowledge and technology in the aerospace sector are being promoted through this joint action space. The centre aims to contribute to improving productive framework competitivity and economic and social development.