Last updated on 01-May-26

UTILI presented an overview of the NSERC CREATE Uninhabited aircraft systems Training, Innovation and Leadership Initiative at AEAC 2025. The presentation highlighted UTILI’s training model, partner network, student outcomes, research examples, and possible future directions for continuing UAS and RPAS training activities beyond the formal CREATE funding period.

The slides summarize UTILI’s mandate to address the training and knowledge challenges associated with UAS and RPAS. They also highlight UTILI’s work in professional development, internships, graduate training, student research, and industry engagement across Carleton University and the broader UTILI partner network.

Presentation Slides

View or download the UTILI AEAC 2025 presentation slides.

Presentation Highlights

Program NSERC CREATE UTILI
Focus UAS and RPAS training, research, internships, and industry engagement
Program period April 2019 to March 2026
Training activities Professional development, RPAS training, seminars, workshops, internships, and graduate UAS coursework
Student outcomes Student theses, journal papers, conference proceedings, competitions, and applied UAS research projects
Project examples Airspace modelling, permafrost monitoring, disaster information systems, flapping-wing micro air vehicles, landing systems, and automatic weight-shift UAS development

Future of UTILI

Although the formal CREATE funding period concluded in March 2026, UTILI activities continue through our established community of students, alumni, researchers, industry partners, and UAS professionals. The presentation discusses possible future models for maintaining joint industry-academic training, internships, research collaboration, and Canadian UAS capability development.

Contact

Interested students, researchers, industry members, and members of the wider UAS community are encouraged to reach out to the UTILI team.

View the UTILI AEAC 2025 presentation slides.