YEAR AT A GLANCE
October 2021
Official launch of WISA
WISA is officially launched as the first institute of its kind in Canada, with a mandate to make the aviation, aerospace and space sectors more sustainable. The virtual launch event features a panel discussion with decorated astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield, Dean of Engineering Mary Wells, Director of WISA Suzanne Kearns and NAVBLUE Vice President Product Portfolio and Programmes Thomas Lagaillarde.
November 2021
WISA partners with NAVBLUE to drive sustainability in flight operations
WISA and NAVBLUE, an Airbus company, announce a five-year collaboration to explore how emerging technologies can promote sustainability in NAVBLUE’s core business, which includes operations and crew management software, flight planning, aircraft performance, flight data analysis and navigational data.
December 2021
Launch of WISA Talks explores solutions for reducing pilot error
Moderator Dr. Elizabeth Irving launches WISA Talks, a free webinar series that brings together academic, industry and government leaders to discuss challenges in aeronautics. The first webinar explores evidence-based solutions for reducing pilot error, featuring a panel of aviation training professionals in discussion with researchers in psychology, kinesiology and vision science.
January 2022
WISA Talks investigates data-driven best practices in aeronautics
Our second WISA Talks webinar dives into how data can be applied to optimize aeronautical decision-making, safety, operations, scheduling and routing. Dr. Shi Cao moderates the discussion with leading industry professionals and researchers in systems design engineering and management sciences.
January 2022
Design competition challenges students to reimagine flight school
WISA, in partnership with the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC), 4Air, Alsim Flight Training Solutions and the Region of Waterloo International Airport, launches a design competition that asks students to reimagine the WWFC as a sustainable flight school of the future. A total of $9,000 in prizes is awarded to the top three designs. Winners are announced at the WISA Annual General Meeting where they present their designs.
February 2022
WISA Talks discusses aeronautics’ environmental impact
Dr. Paul Parker moderates a discussion with industry experts and researchers in sustainably powered aviation. The panel explores environmental initiatives, such as hydrogen- and electric-powered aviation and space sustainability solutions, aimed at minimizing the environmental impacts of aeronautics.
April 2022
WISA Featured within the State of the Region Event
Dr. Kearns joins Regional Chair Karen Redman for the State of the Region event to discuss sustainability solutions in aeronautics and a shared vision for partnership with the academic, industry, and government stakeholders in the Waterloo Region.
April 2022
WISA Talks explores the future of aeronautical sustainability
Dr. Suzanne Kearns, Founding Director of WISA, concludes this year’s WISA Talks webinar series with a future-focused panel discussing the challenges and opportunities facing the air transport sector when it comes to driving social, environmental, and economic sustainability.
May 2022
Collaborative Aeronautics Program reviewed at Senate
After 18 months of development, including consultations with individuals and units across campus, the University of Waterloo Senate votes to approve the Collaborative Aeronautics Program – paving the runway for the program to launch in September of 2022.
May 2022
Global aviation leaders get to know WISA
Dr. Kearns introduces international leaders in aviation to the mission, vision, and strategy behind WISA at the World Aviation Training Summit in Orlando, Florida.
June 2022
WISA visits Airbus, and University of Toulouse's Institute for Sustainable Aviation
Dr. Kearns and Maryam Latifpoor-Keparoutis visit Toulouse, France for the Airbus Training and Flight Operations (TFOS) conference where Kearns moderates a session with colleagues from NAVBLUE. They also meet with leadership from ENAC and SupAERO and launch a collaborative partnership with their Institute for Sustainable Aviation.
June 2022
WISA hosts its first AGM
WISA welcomes industry and government partners and WISA members, to our first annual general meeting (AGM) at the University of Waterloo’s Federation Hall.
