Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics - WISA

Celebrate International Civil Aviation Day and the Holiday Season with WISA! ✈️ Save 25% on all WISA eLearning courses with promo code HOLIDAYS25. Offer runs from December 7 2025 to January 7 2026 and ends at 11:59 PM EST.
Enroll at: https://wisacourses.uwaterloo.ca/home

Beta Technologies’ ALIA CX300 electric aircraft visited Helijet in Vancouver this November, marking a milestone for sustainable aviation in Canada. With WISA research guiding route optimization and charger networks expanding, Canada is moving closer to an electrified future in the skies. Read more: https://uwaterloo.ca/sustainable-aeronautics/blog/international-e-plane-flight-vancouver-betas-alia-visit

Practice areas can get crowded fast - especially on sunny days. Pilots spend hours honing their skills in these zones, but when the skies fill up, keeping a safe distance isn’t always easy. Trent, a Geography and Aviation undergraduate student at UWaterloo, dives into what causes airborne “hotspots” and how pilots can stay safe around them.
Read more: https://uwaterloo.ca/sustainable-aeronautics/blog/understanding-hotspots-practice-areas-safety-tips-pilots

On August 6, 2025, three generations of electric aircraft flew in formation over the Fraser River - marking a historic moment for sustainable flight in Canada.
From the pioneering Pipistrel Alpha Electro to the certified Velis Electro and Harbour Air’s retrofitted eBeaver, this event showcased the growing capabilities of electric propulsion across private, training, and regional aviation.
Read the full story: https://uwaterloo.ca/sustainable-aeronautics/blog/three-generations-e-planes-fly-together-canada-trailblazers

Changing the future of flight doesn’t happen overnight.
It takes vision, persistence, and a community of people who believe in something better.
Thanks to students, researchers, regulators, and industry partners, electric aviation is now a reality in Canada.
Read the full story here: https://uwaterloo.ca/sustainable-aeronautics/blog/how-many-people-helped-open-skies-electric-aviation-canada

Researchers at the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics are using advanced eye-tracking technology to study how pilots process information during complex flight scenarios.
This interdisciplinary study - featuring experts from neuroscience, optometry, systems design engineering, and aviation - offers valuable insights into cognitive load, attention, and decision-making in high-stakes environments. The findings could help shape the future of pilot training and cockpit design, contributing to safer and more sustainable aviation.
Read the full study published in JoVE: https://app.jove.com/v/66886

Electric aircraft have officially been approved for pilot training in Canada - a major step forward in sustainable aviation. With support from the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA), the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC), and Sealand Flight, this initiative is helping to reduce emissions, noise, and operational costs in flight training.
Over 400 flights have already demonstrated the potential of electric aviation to transform how we train future pilots - and how we think about the future of flight.

Read more: https://uwaterloo.ca/sustainable-aeronautics/blog/electric-planes-approved-pilot-training-canada

Huge congratulations to our incredible Collaborative Aeronautics Program (CAP) graduates, Dr. Allison Lynch (PhD in Vision Science - Aeronautics) and Dr. Hyun Su Seong (PhD in Systems Design Engineering - Aeronautics)!

Participants Needed: Pilot Simulator Study at the University of Waterloo

We are seeking licensed or student pilots (ages 18–45, with at least 10 flight hours) to participate in a research study on pilot workload and situational awareness using a Cessna 172 flight simulator and wearable monitoring devices. The session will last 60–75 minutes, and participants will receive $10 upon completion.

The study will take place in the EC4 Building and has received ethics clearance (ORE #47089).

If you're interested, please contact Artem at [email protected] with “Simulated Pilot Workload Study” in the subject line.

More details here: https://uwaterloo.ca/sustainable-aeronautics/research-and-partnerships/research-studies -pilot-workload-study

Celebrating 5 years of electric aviation! The Pipistrel Velis Electro is now flying in Canada - a major milestone for sustainable flight. Read the full story: https://uwaterloo.ca/sustainable-aeronautics/blog/celebrating-5-years-electric-aviation-now-available-canada

From all of us at WISA, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of our aviation graduates at UWaterloo!
You’ve navigated your academic journey with skill and determination - now it’s time to take flight and shape the future of aviation.
Here’s to clear skies, bold dreams, and a world of opportunity ahead!
Congratulations Class of 2025!

In recognition of ICAO Aviation Climate Week (June 2–4), we’re offering 50% OFF all WISA eLearning courses.
Learn about aviation’s climate initiatives—from sustainable fuels to smarter skies.
Offer valid until June 8 at 11:59 pm EST.
Tap the link and take flight toward a sustainable future: https://wisacourses.uwaterloo.ca/