FXB Foundation - the aerospace field
Space exploration, advances in aviation and air safety fascinate people around the world. To meet these challenges, specialized engineers and scientists need to excel in their field.
It is in this spirit that the François-Xavier Bagnoud Foundation supports various programs and initiatives of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan, where François-Xavier brilliantly obtained his engineering degree. In 1981, he also published a reference textbook there: Helicopter Theory for Private Pilots.
François-Xavier is the name of asteroid "7831" - discovered on March 21, 1993 by the Palomar Observatory in California - assigned in May 1999 by the International Astronomical Union in memory of François-Xavier Bagnoud.
The FXB Building at the University of Michigan
In 1989, the FXB Foundation decided to finance the construction of a new building on the university campus: the FXB Building. This building will house research laboratories, classrooms, offices, a lecture hall and a library.
Located to the south-east of the FXB Building, the Wave Field is a memorial to François-Xavier Bagnoud and a true work of art. This earthen sculpture, representing a wave field, is transformed throughout the day by variations in light and the play of shadows. It was designed and created by Maya Lin, renowned for her work on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama.
François-Xavier Bagnoud lived a life of enthusiasm, generosity, altruism and humble heroism, and he is honored in every room of the building that bears his name and the inspiring legacy he leaves behind.
FXB Flight Vehicle Institute
Since 1991, the FXB Foundation has also funded FXB scholarships for aerospace graduate students. In 1998, it created the FXB Chair in Aerospace Engineering, specializing in the study of vertical flight.
In 1999, the Rotary and Fixed Wing Air Vehicle Design Center was created. Its aim is to develop optimized, low-cost air vehicles with reduced noise and vibration, and good damage tolerance.
All these programs were brought together in 2006 within the FXB Flight Vehicle Institute, part of the University of Michigan.
The FXB Prize in Aerospace
From 1992 to 1999, the FXB Prize in Aerospace was awarded every two years to honor the memory and ideals of François-Xavier Bagnoud. It rewarded the most significant contributions to the advancement of aerospace in the service of humanity.
The first award was presented in 1993 to Dr. William H. Pickering for his seminal work in understanding the planetary system. In 1995, the Apollo program received the second award in recognition of its advances that enabled travel to the Moon. The prize funds were used to finance six research fellowships to support work on manned spaceflight.
In 1997, Joseph E. Sutter, Kenneth F. Holtby, Everette Webb and Robert A. Davis received awards for their major contribution to the design and development of the Boeing 747. Finally, in 1999, Yuri P. Semenov, Anatoly I. Kiselev, Gai I. Severin and Petr I. Klimuk were honored for their role in the Mir space station project, which has made an essential contribution to aerospace research since its launch.
In addition, FFXB has supported the aeronautical industry through various contributions:
In Switzerland, in 1991, the FXB Foundation donated an infrared night vision system to Air-Glaciers to improve the efficiency and safety of emergency helicopter flights at night.
In Switzerland, in 1992, the FXB Foundation awarded Benoît Darbellay a scholarship to study for his helicopter license. Benoît was a pilot with Air-Glaciers until his tragic death in 2005.
In Africa, in 1992, two twin-engine Cessna aircraft were donated to Amref (African Medical Research Foundation) to facilitate the movement of medical teams, vaccination campaigns and emergency evacuations in the bush.