SAIT’s new Bissett Autonomous Aviation Park will connect industry with specialized training, applied research and emerging talent in one purpose-built environment.
Supported by a $30 million seed gift from David Bissett, the park will help advance the future of autonomous aviation, remotely piloted aircraft systems, and advanced air mobility by creating a dedicated environment where students, faculty, researchers and industry partners, can collaborate on training, testing, certification preparation, technology validation, workforce development and real-world problem-solving.
Why Calgary
The Bissett Autonomous Aviation Park will support Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) within the Calgary region and enabling autonomous aviation testing, training and validation. Together with Calgary's growing aerospace, defence and remotely piloted systems sectors, it positions the city as a hub for autonomous aviation innovation.
Why SAIT
Since 1928, SAIT has trained aviation professionals and evolved alongside industry. Our programs span aircraft maintenance, avionics, aircraft structures, gas turbine technology and RPAS, supported by applied research expertise, industry-connected facilities and a proven track record of workforce-ready graduates.
Why now
Technology, regulation and workforce demand are converging. New beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) rules are opening opportunities for commercial operations, while larger aircraft and advanced air mobility platforms continue moving toward adoption. The opportunity is here, but infrastructure, testing environments and talent development must accelerate to keep pace with the sector's rapid growth.
Conceptual rendering only. This image is intended to illustrate the general design vision and is not a final representation of the project.
One connected environment
The Bissett Autonomous Aviation Park will bring training, research and industry activity together in one integrated ecosystem. Designed to support the advancement of RPAS, Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) technologies, and future Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) applications, the park will help accelerate innovation while developing the highly skilled workforce needed to support a rapidly evolving aviation sector.
Students will work alongside researchers and industry partners, gaining practical experience while contributing to applied research, technology development, testing and validation in real-world operating environments.
Planned capabilities may include:
- Designated RPAS operating areas and landing pads
- Infrastructure and operating environments that support future VTOL and eVTOL technologies
- Access to Class G airspace, with future connectivity to Class C airspace supporting advanced operations
- Secure aircraft storage and maintenance facilities
- Flight simulation and dedicated training spaces
- Applied research, development and testing facilities
- Technology validation and demonstration environments
- Industry collaboration, partnership and incubation space
- Infrastructure designed to evolve alongside AAM, VTOL and eVTOL platforms
With access to Class G airspace and infrastructure designed to support future VTOL and eVTOL technologies, the Bissett Autonomous Aviation Park will serve as a launchpad for autonomous aviation innovation, applied research and workforce development in Western Canada.
Building the infrastructure and talent industry needs
Canada’s aviation sector is advancing faster than the infrastructure and skilled workforce available to support it.
Manufacturers and operators of medium- to heavy-lift remotely piloted aircraft often need to send equipment and personnel outside Canada for specialized testing, certification preparation and training. At the same time, industry needs more professionals with experience in emerging technologies, advanced operations and changing regulatory environments.
The Bissett Autonomous Aviation Park will help close these gaps by bringing industry, researchers and learners together in the Calgary region to test ideas, develop solutions and prepare talent for the future of flight.
From emerging technology to industry-ready applications.
Moving industry forward together.
Training
Build the workforce of tomorrow
Partner with SAIT to attract, develop and retain the talent needed to support the future of aviation. From youth exploration and student recruitment to customized training and professional development, we help organizations build workforce capacity at every stage of the talent journey.
- Customized corporate training and workforce solutions
- RPAS and BVLOS flight training
- Simulation-based and hands-on learning
- Student capstone projects
- Work-integrated learning, co-op placements and internships
- Graduate recruitment and talent connections
- Youth engagement and dual-credit pathways
- Technical, operational and leadership development
- Career-long upskilling and reskilling
- Safety and regulatory readiness training
- Field schools for academic researchers
How you can participate
- Recruit students, graduates and skilled professionals
- Provide co-op placements, internships and applied learning opportunities
- Bring forward real-world challenges and industry projects
- Co-develop customized training programs
- Help identify emerging workforce and skills needs
- Contribute expertise, technology or equipment
- Participate in classroom learning and career events
- Support student awards, scholarships and employee development
Since 1916, SAIT's School of Transportation has prepared students for careers in aviation, rail, heavy equipment and automotive industries, evolving alongside workforce needs.
Aviation offerings include Transport Canada-approved training in Aircraft Maintenance, Avionics and Aircraft Structures, along with the Gas Turbine Technician Certificate and two-year Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Diploma.
Looking for customized training? SAIT's Corporate Training team can develop flexible learning solutions tailored to your organization's workforce needs.
Build your workforce
Applied Research
Move emerging technology toward real-world application
Work with SAIT researchers, faculty and students to develop, test and validate technologies that address real industry challenges.
Through the Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems (CIRUS) and SAIT's broader applied research network, partners can access multidisciplinary expertise, specialized equipment and industry-focused research environments.
- Applied research and development
- Prototyping and proof-of-concept projects
- Aircraft, sensor and systems testing
- Technology and operational validation
- Industry-sponsored research
- Commercialization support
- Bring SAIT an operational or technical challenge
- Sponsor an applied research project
- Test or validate emerging technology
- Provide equipment, platforms or specialized expertise
- Explore commercialization and technology adoption
- Integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), drones, payload delivery systems and sensors for disaster management, search and rescue, wildfire mitigation, reforestation and afforestation.
- Heavy-lift, high-endurance beyond visual line of sight testing and operation
- Analytical modelling integrating RPAS-based GIS, remote sensing, machine learning and artificial intelligence
- Data visualization through Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
Do you have a project in mind?
Whether you're starting with an idea or an early design concept, we want to learn more. Our commitment is to provide exceptional value to our partners, staying mindful of budget constraints while actively pursuing funding opportunities on your behalf. Let's talk ideas and numbers. Please use the link below to submit your inquiry or contact applied.research@sait.ca for any questions.
Industry Partnerships
Collaborate to build the future of advanced air mobility
Connect with SAIT's students, faculty, researchers, and industry networks to develop talent, advance innovation, explore new technologies and address real-world transportation challenges.
Together, we can help strengthen workforce capacity and support innovation across the transportation sector.
- Industry-connected education and workforce development
- Applied research and innovation expertise
- Work-integrated learning and industry projects
- Specialized transportation training facilities
- Collaboration across aviation, automotive, rail, logistics, heavy equipment, and emerging mobility sectors
- Talent development aligned with industry needs
- Solutions for real-world industry challenges and innovation opportunities
- Offer work-integrated learning opportunities
- Support student development through learning experiences
- Partner on applied research initiatives and industry-led innovation projects
- Engage with SAIT’s transportation ecosystem to address industry challenges and advance new technologies
- Participate in industry advisory committees
- Connect with future transportation talent
- Contribute with equipment, expertise, funding, opportunities
- Invest on customized workforce training
ARIS worked closely with SAIT’s School of Transportation for the Drone Centre and benefitted greatly from their knowledge, expertise and experiences. Not only that, through academic partnerships, SAIT worked collaboratively with remotely-piloted aircraft systems manufacturers and aviation regulatory agencies in North America and Europe.
Our partners:
Let's move aviation forward together
Whether you are developing technology, addressing an operational challenge, or building your future workforce, our team is ready to explore the opportunity with you.
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.