"A true aviator really sees aviation as a whole, constantly improving but while remaining humble, and realizing that you can never know everything there is to know." This is how the legendary U.S. aerobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff once summed up the fascination and dilemma of aviation. Looking at it from this angle, EDAG aeromotive is in many ways an almost ideal "airport" for engineering, combining a down-to-earth attitude with an ambitious outlook. And has been for ten years, with growing enthusiasm.
Florian joined EDAG aeromotive in 2023, the company's anniversary year. The 34-year-old is already an old hand in aircraft technology. What Florian really wanted to do was get into the cockpit himself and become a pilot. When, after graduating from high school more than 14 years ago, he joined the German Armed Forces to pursue an officer's career, he met all the requirements. What he ended up doing, however, was studying mechanical engineering at the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Neubiberg near Munich, where he also completed his Master's degree in Computer Aided Engineering – with a focus on automotive engineering. The way in which Florian's career developed shows that automotive and aerospace are not all that far apart. After graduating, he worked as a systems engineer in the field of engine technology, but Florian's time as a regular soldier was eventually at an end. What Florian liked about EDAG aeromotive were the long-term prospects and the family environment in a civilian company – and at the same time being able to remain loyal to high-tech there.
Like Patty Wagstaff, Florian enjoys regarding flying and technology in wider system-related contexts. Which is why he felt at home at EDAG aeromotive right away. Among other things, he works there in Dominik's project team. The mechanical engineer is head of the FMECA project. This abbreviation stands for Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis, a method used in industry today to identify and analyze failure modes for processes and products – therefore increasing efficiency and cutting costs. "To this end, we bring together logistical data with, for example, the functional approach to existing aircraft. In many respects, this is trend-setting and accelerates the pace of development," says Dominik. The 27-year-old holds a Master's degree in Technology Management and has already given a great deal of attention to Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), which created the basis for the extended concept at EDAG.
Dominik und Florian were immediately drawn to EDAG aeromotive by the complex tasks from the aerospace sector. "What we always experience here is complex technology with stringent reliability and safety requirements," they say in unison. This is high-tech with character," emphasizes Dominik. He appreciates the special personal and familiar atmosphere at EDAG's new campus in Ingolstadt. From his very first meeting, it was evident that this is a very special company indeed: "We were on first-name terms from the word go. The interest in each other was honest and open. I realized immediately that you are not just some small, insignificant cog in the wheel here," he says. "You don't have to know everything. What matters is moving forward together in a strong team combining numerous different skills and personalities. This gives you the confidence to tackle large and complex tasks."
There is no hierarchical thinking at EDAG like there is in a corporation, Dominik emphasizes. "We work across divisional and departmental boundaries, with everyone on an equal footing. In addition, there is an open exchange of ideas and you gain insights into many very different areas. This is fun, and it helps everyone, especially in our interdisciplinary project." This is also something that Florian likes. To date, it takes about 25 years to develop a military aircraft. "With the help of digitalization and agile methods, though, it might soon be possible to cut off five to ten years," says the systems engineer. "All of this is incredibly challenging, but also super appealing."
When getting to know the company, Dominik and Florian's first contact was with Nadja. In 2016, the 23-year-old successfully completed a commercial apprenticeship at BFFT, a former EDAG subsidiary in Gaimersheim near Ingolstadt. Originally, she had wanted to become a kindergarten teacher. During an internship in a law firm, however, she found she preferred office and organizational work, so in 2022 she took the opportunity to complete a full-time further education course to qualify as a Bachelor Professional of Human Resources Management. "To begin with, I didn't really really have any concept of aircraft," she admits. "But one day, we were given the opportunity to visit a major aircraft manufacturer with the company, where I was able to climb into the cockpit of an aircraft on display there. This was an enormous, unforgettable experience that really sparked my interest," Nadja enthuses. For all her fascination with technology, however, her passion is firmly focused on working with people. "My job at EDAG aeromotive is to deal with recruitment, conduct staff and job interviews, administer employment contracts, and help organize and carry out team events."
When getting to know the company, Dominik and Florian's first contact was with Nadja. In 2016, the 23-year-old successfully completed a commercial apprenticeship at BFFT, a former EDAG subsidiary in Gaimersheim near Ingolstadt. Originally, she had wanted to become a kindergarten teacher. During an internship in a law firm, however, she found she preferred office and organizational work, so in 2022 she took the opportunity to complete a full-time further education course to qualify as a Bachelor Professional of Human Resources Management. "To begin with, I didn't really really have any concept of aircraft," she admits. "But one day, we were given the opportunity to visit a major aircraft manufacturer with the company, where I was able to climb into the cockpit of an aircraft on display there. This was an enormous, unforgettable experience that really sparked my interest," Nadja enthuses. For all her fascination with technology, however, her passion is firmly focused on working with people. "My job at EDAG aeromotive is to deal with recruitment, conduct staff and job interviews, administer employment contracts, and help organize and carry out team events."
Nadja, Florian and Dominik are all equally convinced that the extremely wide variety of skills and personalities at EDAG aeromotive opens up many exciting prospects for the future. "As a development partner, we are involved in many future-oriented topics, for instance a major European project," says Dominik.
EDAG aeromotive's portfolio includes the development, validation and production of system environments for testing, analysis and evaluation applications - in exciting projects such as prototype development in the field of mixed reality or the development of a next-generation panoramic display. In the process, innovative automotive technologies are transferred to the aerospace industry, and the high quality standards required of developments in the aerospace industry achieved.
And so, even after ten years, constant improvement and continuing to see aviation as a whole are as important as ever to the EDAG aeromotive team. While, like the aviation pioneers of the past, remaining humble and realizing that you can never know everything there is to know. Nadja is convinced: "One thing we do know for sure is that we will not be running out of work. Nor will we stop enjoying it."
