Indigenous students from regional and remote communities across northern Queensland recently built practical aviation skills through an interactive workshop with Jet Zero, Airbus and Townsville Airport.

Delivered inside Townsville Airport's International Departures area, the Regions to the Runway workshop connected young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NRL Cowboys House students with aviation experts, emerging technologies and education around sustainable aviation fuel.

Through practical activities and behind-the-scenes access, students saw how the skills they are developing could translate into future opportunities across aviation, engineering, energy and the wider supply chain.

Airbus began the event with a Theory of Flight session incorporating paper planes and augmented reality headsets, before Jet Zero delivered an interactive session on sustainable aviation fuel.

Students then put their learning into practice through a Halloween Aviation Challenge, followed by a behind the-scenes tour of Townsville Airport, its tarmac and control tower operations.

The workshop coincides with a renewed partnership between Cowboys Community Foundation and Jet Zero, extending their shared commitment to opening future opportunities in aviation for young Indigenous Australians.

Cowboys Community Foundation General Manager - Fundraising & Partnerships, Connor McKay, said the experience gives students a practical understanding of pathways available across the aviation industry.

"Experiences like this give young people the chance to see where their skills can take them, while learning directly from people working across the aviation industry," Mr McKay said.

"Bringing together Jet Zero, Airbus and Townsville Airport allows these students to explore everything from the Theory of Flight and sustainable aviation fuel to the day-to-day operations of an airport.

"We look forward to continuing our partnership with Jet Zero and creating more opportunities like this that open our NRL Cowboys House students to new possibilities for their futures."

Through its Theory of Flight session, Airbus helped bring aviation concepts to life for students using paper planes, augmented reality and hands-on learning. Airbus Chief Representative for Australia, New Zealand Pacific, Stephen Forshaw, said the session was designed to give students an engaging way to explore key principles and career opportunities behind flight and aviation.

"Augmented reality allows students to experience the theory of flight in an interactive way, helping turn complex aviation concepts into something they can see, explore and understand," Mr Forshaw said.

"We are pleased to help bring this learning to life and encourage students' curiosity about the science and technology that underpin aviation."

Jet Zero's Head of Sustainability, Jackie Mason, said the workshop introduced students to the role sustainable aviation fuel could play in the industry's future.

"Aviation is changing, and sustainable aviation fuel will play an important role in how the industry responds to the challenges and opportunities ahead," Ms Mason said.

"Making these concepts practical and engaging helps these young people understand the science, technology and wide range of roles that contribute to the aviation sector.

"We look forward to continuing our work with Cowboys Community Foundation in helping students connect what they're learning today with the opportunities that could be available to them moving forward."

As host of the aviation workshop, Queensland Airports Limited gave students a practical behind-the-scenes look at the various skills that support day-to-day airport operations.

Arron McLean, Regional General Manager - Queensland Airports Limited, said Townsville Airport welcomed the opportunity to link these students' existing interests with careers in aviation.

"We're proud to partner with NRL Cowboys House, Jet Zero and Airbus on this program, which is all about opening doors for young people and building the next generation of aviation talent in our region," Mr McLean said.

"Most people only ever see the airport terminal and then cabin crew on board their aircraft, but it takes hundreds of people working behind the scenes to get a single flight into the air. Building on what students learned during the workshop, they then got to see those ideas in action by going airside, touring the runway and visiting the control tower.

"We look forward to creating more opportunities like this for young people across the region to discover the rewarding aviation careers available right here in North Queensland."

The Regions to the Runway workshop gives students practical experience across aviation, technology and sustainability, helping them connect their interests with future career opportunities.

Jet Zero and Cowboys Community Foundation said their ongoing partnership will continue creating these experiences for NRL Cowboys House students, "allowing them to transition into life beyond school with confidence".