Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA)

✈️ #TrainingTuesday: Urban Air Mobility – A New Path to Aviation Sustainability 🌱 In less than 10 minutes, in this snap course, explore how Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is transforming the skies above our cities! From drones and VTOLs to eVTOLs, how general aviation can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alleviate airspace congestion, and offer innovative solutions for passenger transport, cargo delivery, and even disaster relief. 🚁 But there's a challenge: While UAM holds the promise of cleaner, faster, and more efficient transport, the supporting infrastructure is still playing catch-up compared to traditional ground systems. 🏗️ This Snap Course covers: 🔹 The Future of Urban Skies: How drones, VTOLs, and eVTOLs can cut emissions and congestion. 🔹 Real-World Applications: From emergency response to routine deliveries, see how UAM is reshaping urban landscapes. 🔹 Sustainability at the Core: A look at the World Economic Forum’s Principles of the Urban Sky, emphasizing: 🌱 Sustainability & Low Noise 🛠️ Local Workforce Development 🛤️ Multimodal Connectivity 🤝 Equity of Access & Purpose-Driven Data Sharing 🚀 While the potential is vast, building the infrastructure and regulatory frameworks will require a unified effort from governments, manufacturers, and local communities. 👇 Check out the snap course to see how UAM is paving the way for a sustainable aviation future! 👇 https://lnkd.in/gXnMMFDv What’s your take on UAM—game-changer or hype? Let’s discuss! 🌍

The Waterloo Institute of Sustainable Aeronautics researchers in collaboration with Presage Group Incorporated are carrying out a research project aimed at optimizing aerospace sustainability outputs for researchers, product developers, trainers and recruiters. Researchers also aim to gain an understanding of the deleterious effects of negative emotions brought on by various barriers to personal achievement. Who can participate? 1. UW students whose studies focus on the field of aerospace/aviation sustainability 2. Aviation and aerospace professionals All faculties are welcome! What does participation involve? Participants will be invited to complete an online survey taking ~20 minutes asking the individual about meaning in work, commitment to work, stress, psychological distress, sleep, and social support networks. You will also be asked whether you would also be interested in participating in a follow-up focus group. In appreciation of the time you have given to this study, you can enter your name into a draw to win one of 15 $100 Amazon gift cards! Your chances of winning will depend on the number of individuals who choose to participate. This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through a University of Waterloo Research Ethics Board. Check out our Research Studies page for details. https://lnkd.in/gBV5DUAj

✈️ #TrainingThursday: Talking About Climate Change – Strategies for Meaningful Conversations 🌍 Discussing the complex issues associated with climate change can be challenging, but true impact will take all of us working together. So, how can you make your message resonate? 🌱 It’s not just about sharing facts—it’s about creating connections that inspire action. By listening first, personalizing your message, and emphasizing shared benefits, you can help turn climate concern into climate action. This Snap Course covers: 🔹 Listening First: How to find common ground. 🔹 Emphasizing Co-Benefits: Connecting climate action to everyday benefits. 🔹 Personalizing the Message: Sharing local examples and stories that resonate. 🔹 Staying Positive: Focusing on actionable solutions. 🚀 Building momentum for climate action starts with a single conversation. 👇 Check it out here 👇 https://lnkd.in/gWTQhq6P What strategies have helped you talk about climate change effectively? Let’s chat! 🌍🤝 #TrainingThursday #ClimateConversations #ClimateAction #SustainabilityTips #SnapCourses #IASC

Our research on optimizing electric planes for pilot training and regional flights at the University of Waterloo, with the support of Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre, has been featured on CBC News! Our team is pioneering advancements in battery testing and regional flights, considering airport microgrids, and pushing the boundaries of sustainable aviation in Canada. Check out the article and video interview to learn more about our work and its potential impact on the future of air travel. https://lnkd.in/gMEnuNCH #SustainableAviation #EPlanes #Research #Innovation #UniversityOfWaterloo #WWFC

Heather Hudecki, second-year PhD student in vision science and aeronautics, recently won the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) Three-Minute Thesis competition with her research on colour vision for pilots. Click the link for full article. https://bit.ly/3XQHDBj

Come listen to Mehrdad Pirnia from Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) talk about the future of electric planes ⚡️✈️, powered by test data from the Waterloo Wellington Flight Center! 🌍🔋. CBC interview link: https://lnkd.in/gz-qkMnV #ElectricAviation #WaterlooEngineering

✈️ #TrainingThursday: The Sustainable Development Goals – Aviation’s Role in a Sustainable Future 🌍 Can aviation can be a force for good in achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? The 17 SDGs are a global blueprint for a better future, addressing challenges from climate action and clean energy to quality education and reduced inequalities. So, where does aviation fit in? ✈️ While aviation is often seen through the lens of emissions, its impact on the SDGs is far-reaching—both positively and negatively. From enabling global trade and tourism (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth) to bridging gaps in healthcare and education (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being & SDG 4: Quality Education), the industry plays a pivotal role. But here’s the catch: No single entity can achieve these goals alone. The key? Collaboration. 🌱 Governments, airlines, manufacturers, and researchers must work together to innovate cleaner technologies, develop sustainable fuels, and establish policies that balance growth with environmental responsibility. In about 5 minutes, this Snap Course covers: 🔹 What the SDGs Are: A quick overview of the 17 goals. 🔹 Aviation’s Impact: How the industry supports—and challenges—the SDGs. 🔹 The Importance of Collaboration: The importance of partnerships driving sustainable progress. 🚀 Achieving the SDGs by 2030 demands action today. Explore how collaborative efforts in aviation can turn challenges into opportunities. 👇 Check it out here 👇 https://lnkd.in/gP7b4nTA What role do you think aviation should play in achieving the SDGs? Let’s talk! 🌍🤝

Great to hear CBC's Craig Norris interview UW's Mehrdad Pirnia about electric aviation research conducted by the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics and partner Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre.  https://lnkd.in/gKmj-9U3

✈️ #TrainingTuesday: Rising Waters, Rising Challenges – How Flooding Threatens Aviation When we think about climate change and aviation, CO2 emissions usually take center stage. But rising sea levels and increased flooding risk poses an urgent threat—particularly to airports. 🌊 With many major airports built along coastlines or river deltas, the risks are clear. In fact, some of the world’s busiest hubs are already managing instances of water on runways and overwhelmed drainage systems. How can the aviation industry adapt? This Snap Course explores: 🔹 Airport Vulnerability: Which airports are most at risk from rising sea levels? 🔹 Resilience Strategies: From nature-based solutions like trees, green roofs, and marshlands to permeable pavements, explore interventions designed to absorb or redirect floodwaters. 👇 Check out the course, here 👇 https://lnkd.in/g_AYsKcZ For the airport experts in my network, which strategies is your airfield prioritizing?💡

User Experience and Physiological Modeling for pilot training using VR Principal Study Investigator: Dr. John Edison Muñoz Cardona Co-Investigator: Dr. Shi Cao We are looking for individuals to participate in a study aimed at assessing user experience and physiological responses while engaging with interactive simulation technologies for skill training. Participants will fly the ALSIM AL 250 Flight Simulator and perform a series of flight tasks, including taxiing, normal takeoff, circuit flying, and normal approach and landing. During the simulated flight, researchers will collect data such as flight data recording, video recording, audio recording, heart rate, skin conductivity, eye movement, and flight instructor assessment. The entire study will last about one hour. Participants will receive a compensation of $10 for each hour of participation. To be eligible for participation, you must meet the following criteria: (1) be between 18-64 years of age; (2) possess fluency in English to accurately read and interpret instructions; (3) hold a valid pilot's license (such as a Private Pilot License or Commercial Pilot License), or be a student pilot who has successfully completed their first solo flight and can execute standard radio communications, checklists, and circuit patterns; (4) able to provide informed consent. To ensure a positive user experience, individuals with the following conditions will not be eligible: visual impairments (e.g., glaucoma), balance issues, pregnancy, and medical implants (e.g., bypass). This research will be conducted in the WISA Flight Simulator Lab (EV1 242) at the University of Waterloo. This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the University of Waterloo Research Ethics Board (ORE#45409). If you are interested in participating, please contact Anika at afshafi@uwaterloo.ca with “VR Pilot Training Study” in the subject line.