Moderator : Dan Juhlin, Principal, Juhlin Remote Pilot Consulting Canada’s commitment to NATO’s renewed Defence spending opens the door for homegrown RPAS innovation to play a central role in sovereignty, resiliency, and readiness. This panel explores how Canadian SMEs can become integral to the future of autonomous Defence capabilities. Reinforcing Canada’s role in NATO through RPAS innovation, resilient supply chains, and dual-use technology partnerships that strengthen both national security and industrial capacity.
Moderator : Declan Sweeney, Executive Director, AEAC In a global drone market dominated by foreign tech, Canadian infrastructure operators face unique risks. This panel explores how to lead with made-in-Canada BVLOS drone solutions that are secure, weather-resilient, and built for our geography—strengthening national resilience through domestic innovation.
Moderator : Sarah Graham, Nav Canada / AEAC This dynamic stream of presentations showcases how RPAS technologies are being applied across diverse sectors—from live sports broadcasting to BVLOS operations and advanced radar systems. Learn from industry experts and innovators who are pushing the boundaries of what drones can do in real-world environments. Flying Live: Behind the Scenes of Drone Broadcasting for Major Events By Mat L. Matthews, RPAS Instructor, Consultant, Pilot From NHL games to Red Bull competitions, drones are becoming essential tools in live broadcast production. In this presentation, a seasoned drone professional shares insights from over 15 years in the industry, including three years of hands-on experience delivering dynamic aerial shots for major sports and entertainment clients. 🎥 What you’ll learn:– How drones are used for follow cams and scenic shots in live broadcasts– Technical setup, equipment, and permissions required for live drone operations– Real-world lessons from working with TSN, Snowboard Canada, Rugby Canada, and more Join us...Read More >
This keynote will explore the critical intersection of Indigenous reconciliation and economic development within Canada’s rapidly evolving drone and aeronautics landscape. It will emphasize inclusion as a foundational pillar for meaningful partnership and long-term prosperity. By centering Indigenous voices, knowledge systems, and leadership, Canada has an opportunity to build a more resilient, equitable, and innovative economy. The address will highlight how collaborative approaches between Indigenous communities, government, and industry can unlock shared opportunities, foster sustainable growth, and ensure that the future of aerial innovation is shaped by all who call this land home.
Meals are included with all full-conference and full-day registrations.
Meals are included with all full-conference and full-day registrations.
Moderator : Courtland Penk,President, Osprey Integrity Ltd. In this dynamic closing panel, we spotlight Canada’s RPAS leaders who are harnessing the nation’s evolving regulations to drive commercial success and innovation. These pioneers are not just adapting to regulatory changes—they’re shaping the future of drone technology and its applications across various sectors.
Moderator : Sarah Graham, Nav Canada / AEAC From drivetrain design to airport safety, predictive maintenance, and wind profiling, this session highlights how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way drones are built, flown, and integrated into real-world applications. These four presentations showcase innovative uses of machine learning and intelligent systems to improve performance, reduce operational fatigue, and unlock new capabilities across the RPAS ecosystem. Machine Learning To Synthesize Propeller Drivetrain Performance Data By Bhavya Patel and Ehsan Hashemi, University of Alberta Designing efficient RPAS systems often requires extensive physical testing of motor-propeller combinations—an expensive and time-consuming process. This presentation introduces a machine learning approach to predict drivetrain performance using a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) trained on Tyto Robotics’ thrust stand data. 🧠 What you’ll learn: How neural networks can estimate thrust output from drivetrain parameters Insights from training on 170,000 datapoints across 1,500 motor-propeller combinations Strengths and limitations of the current model architecture The potential of synthetic data to accelerate RPAS design...Read More >
