18 November 2010
Show time for Rolls-Royce intern
At the FET stand at Williamtown Air Show: Roxley McLennan (VP Defence Aerospace Australasia, Rolls-Royce), Robert Buettner (RMIT International F136 Intern), Jeff Reno (Director F136 Business Development Australia, GE), Jim Payton (Director F136 Business Development Australia, Rolls-Royce), Alex Gibbs (VP Defence Australia, GE), and Eric Gatehouse (On-site Williamtown, Rolls-Royce).
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Robert Buettner, the 2010 RMIT University intern with Rolls-Royce in Indianapolis, USA, has been learning about the aerospace industry by working with a business development team - in this case, for the F136 GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team (FET).
Mr Buettner, who is undertaking a Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace), travelled back to Australia for the Williamtown (NSW) RAAF Air Show, as well as to attend industry meetings with potential Australian suppliers for the F136.
As the FET was the sponsor of the show, it had a strong presence in the VIP tent, close to the entrance to the hangar where the exhibitors where located.
Throughout the show, Mr Buettner was able to interact with Australian Government and military officials in the VIP area as well as the general public, answering any questions regarding the F136 engine and how jet engines work.
As well as working at the air show, Mr Buettner was able to enjoy some of the various static and flying displays. "It was great to see the F111 perform its famous dump and burn for the last time before they are retired," he said.
Following the show, Mr Buettner attended industry meetings with the FET in Melbourne, visiting five engineering companies over two days.
"This has been an invaluable experience, I have learnt a lot about business development and how capable Australian industry is," he said.
Mr Buettner undertook his internship as part of the RMIT International Industry Experience and Research Program (RIIERP).
Jim Payton, Director-Business Development for the Rolls-Royce F136 program, said the RMIT internship program was mutually beneficial for both the interns and Rolls-Royce.
"Rob has made outstanding contributions and all of the RMIT interns have been very high-calibre students.
"Their dedication, work ethic and technical skills reflect very well on the education they are getting at RMIT, a world-class university.
"They are gaining important professional experience as they progress their careers and turn into future aerospace leaders with global connections."
