CSL to co-host conference on manned, unmanned aircraft

11/10/2014

The conference aims to connect local businesses and researchers with the aim of innovating and creating new economic opportunities in the community.

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The first annual Aviation Innovation Conference Spanning Manned and Unmanned Aviation will be held on Friday, Nov. 14th, 2014, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Regional companies, organizations, and academic institutions involved in any facet of aviation are encouraged to attend the event.

The agenda includes more than twenty speakers who will be presenting regional projects and aerospace capabilities involving: Aviation Education & Training, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) research, Electric Propulsion for Aircraft, Flight Simulation, Human Factors, Aircraft Operations, and more. Panel discussions on developments in manned flight and unmanned aerial systems will conclude the formal agenda, with a networking reception following the presentations.

"The Champaign-Urbana area has a huge amount of activity in all forms of aviation from manned flight to research to UAS and RC hobby flying," said conference co-founder Eric Bartsch of Chanute Consulting Group. "This event provides an opportunity to build a stronger regional community to create new opportunities for innovation and economic development."
 
The conference is being sponsored and supported by: the University of Illinois, Parkland College, Frasca Flight Simulation, Flightstar, Illinois Applied Research Institute, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, Heartland Science and Technology Group, and Chanute Consulting Group. This event is the first in a planned series of networking opportunities, professional events, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education programs to foster a more vibrant regional aerospace community.

"Building stronger bridges between the academic community and local industry will accelerate development of this region as a hub for innovation in all facets of aviation," said conference co-founder Glen Salo of Heartland Science and Technology Group.

Pre-registered attendance is limited to 100 participants to create a collaborative environment and encourage networking during the open sessions during the day. 

"The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign boasts top-notch faculty and aviation-related education and research programs, including various autonomous vehicle research at the Coordinated Science Lab and a top-ranked aerospace engineering program," said Soon-Jo Chung, an assistant professor of aerospace engineering at Illinois. "This conference brings together experts in manned and unmanned aviation to foster research and education collaboration, thereby providing a platform of continuous dialogue among various stakeholders to shape the future of our aviation community."

For more information, please contact Eric Bartsch at ebartsch

at
at
chanuteconsulting [dot] com or Glen Salo atglen [dot] r [dot] salo
at
at
heartlandstg [dot] org

What: Aviation Innovation Conference Spanning Manned and Unmanned Aviation
When: Friday, November 14th, 8:00AM to 5:00PM; reception from 5:10PM to 7:00PM
Where: Room B02, Coordinated Science Laboratory, University of Illinois
Cost: Free to the first 100 registrants, includes lunch and reception
Register: Registration website 


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This story was published November 10, 2014.