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AERIUM Analytics has become a full member of the Alberta Aerospace and Technology Center (AATC). The AATC, housed at Edmonton International Airport (EIA), has been focused since 2015 on the development and attraction of aerospace and technology companies to Alberta.
In 2016, the AATC partnered with AERIUM to focus on the growth and development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies in Alberta. Formally joining the AATC provides AERIUM increased opportunity to promote its services and to cooperate in attracting and developing UAV technology in Alberta.
“The AATC will give AERIUM the opportunity to collaborate with other companies in and around the aerospace industry and especially UAVs (drones) in Alberta and internationally,” said Jordan Cicoria, managing director, AERIUM Analytics. “By joining in the AATC we hope to create a strong Alberta brand that can be promoted to the rest of the world while allowing us to support new technologies and legitimizing the use of UAVs alongside manned aviation.”
AERIUM will use Clear Flight Solutions’ (its Dutch partner’s) Robird drone to guide birds safely away from air traffic at EIA, while discouraging nesting near airside operations and glide paths. The Robird has been proven around the globe to be an effective, ecologically-friendly method of bird control.
The high-tech Robird mimics the flight of an actual falcon in realistic fashion, making its flight behaviour so indistinguishable from its natural counterpart that other birds believe that their natural enemy is present in the area. The integration of the Robird and other UAVs into daily operations at the EIA is a first in the world.
“Homegrown success stories like AERIUM are showing the world that Alberta researchers and entrepreneurs are leaders in many sectors,” said Deron Bilous, Minister of Economic Development and Trade. “That’s why we will keep working with Alberta businesses as they expand to new markets, and help grow and diversify our economy.”
The AATC is a consortium of companies including Canadian Helicopters (an HNZ company), Canadian North, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), the Alberta Motor Transport Association, Promethean Labs, the Government of Alberta and EIA. As part of AATC, Canadian North operates a 737 training simulator in the airport’s Cargo Village, HNZ Topflight operates a helicopter training simulator in the main terminal building and the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) is constructing a new educational facility in the north part of EIA.
“AERIUM Analytics and their partners Clear Flight Solutions are exactly the kind of companies we seek to collaborate with in the AATC,” said Myron Keehn, VP of commercial development at EIA. “Together with the Government of Alberta and our other partners, we look forward to supporting and promoting this incredible integration of UAV services into airport operations around North America.”
