Pan-Canadian Student Poster Competition: Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)
Welcome to the Pan-Canadian Student Poster Competition organized by Concordia’s Institute for Aerospace Design and Innovation (CIADI) in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This exciting competition challenges engineering students across Canadian universities to unleash their creativity and innovation in addressing the future of air mobility through Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) design solutions.
Competition overview
The Pan-Canadian Student Poster Competition invites engineering student design teams across Canadian universities to showcase their prowess in AAM by submitting digital and/or physical posters featuring successful AAM design prototypes. These prototypes should address key challenges in the realm of Advanced Air Mobility, align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), and contribute to the sustainable future of aviation.
Eligibility
The competition is open to groups of individuals enrolled in the final year of a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD program between August 2023 and May 31, 2024.
We encourage students to link their capstone projects to the competition. Student design teams have an entire academic year to develop their solution and will have the opportunity to present it during an exhibition hosted by CIADI in Montreal prior to AAM 2024. ICAO's first Advanced Air Mobility Symposium (AAM 2024) will take place from September 9 to 12, 2024 in Montreal, Canada, and will explore challenges and opportunities of AAM global harmonization and interoperability. Winning teams will have the opportunity to present their solution at that event.
Jury
A diverse jury, including professors, university representatives, ICAO representatives, and industry experts, will evaluate submissions. Their names will be shared on this page early 2024.
Evaluation criteria
The applications and presentations will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- The relationship between the UN SDG(s) and the project.
- The potential of the project to meet the identified targets.
- The feasibility of the project.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the SDGs.
Design focus
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) includes technologies like drones, eVTOLs, eSTOLs, and autonomous flying vehicles. Participants are encouraged to design prototypes that tackle specific AAM challenges, such as unmanned drone aircraft, fuel cell systems for aviation, or infrastructure for alternative propulsion.
Key dates and deadlines
Sept. 20, 2023
Competition launch
Dec. 1, 2023
Abstract submission deadline
Jan. 20, 2024
Abstract approval
May 31, 2024
Digital poster submission deadline
TBD
Poster exhibition & winner announcement
Exhibition and winners announcement
The exhibition resulting from the competition and featuring participants’ work will be hosted by CIADI before the AAM 2024. Dates are yet to be confirmed. Winning teams will be announced during that event.
Prizes
Winners will have the unique opportunity to:
- Attend AAM 2024
- Winners will have the exclusive opportunity to attend the AAM 2024 event.
- Showcase your design prototype at a dedicated booth within the academic corner of the event's exhibition area.
- Get recognition and visibility
- Your work will be publicly recognized on ICAO's social media platforms.
- Receive a certificate of recognition personally signed by an ICAO high-level official.
- Travel to Montreal
- Travel and accommodation fees related to attending the AAM 2024 event may be covered by your university if required.
- Take part in expert discussions
- Engage with industry experts and contribute your insights to meaningful discussions.
- Fine internship opportunities
- Consideration for internship opportunities with industry partners may be offered to winning team members.
- Gain real-world experience and further your career prospects in the field of advanced air mobility.
Reap the rewards of your innovative efforts, enhance your visibility within the industry, and make valuable connections through these exciting prizes.
Application process
- Form a team
- Create a design team of up to 7 individuals.
- Choose a challenge
- Identify a specific AAM challenge your design will address.
- Design prototype
- Develop a digital and/or physical poster presenting your design prototype.
- Sustainability alignment
- Ensure your design aligns with the UN SDGs for sustainability.
- Abstract approval
- Submit abstract by December 1, 2023 to ciadi@concordia.ca.
- Abstract submission
- Await approval notifications by January 20, 2024.
- Develop your solution
- Use the approved abstract as a foundation and work on your solutions throughout the academic year.
- Final poster submission
- Submit the finalized digital poster by May 31, 2024. Students can bring either a physical or digital poster to the final exhibition.
If you have any questions or would like more information, contact ICAO at ciadi@concordia.ca.
FAQ
The competition, organized by ICAO and CIADI, aims to engage Canadian university students in designing innovative prototypes within the realm of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). It provides a platform to address AAM challenges and contribute to the development of a harmonized framework for future air mobility.
AAM includes a range of technologies such as drones, eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing), eSTOLs (electric short take-off and landing), and autonomous flying vehicles. These vehicles can be powered by electricity, hybrid systems, or fuel cells.
The competition is open to groups of individuals enrolled in the final year of a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD program in a Canadian university between August 2023 and May 31, 2024.
Participants are encouraged to design prototypes that address specific challenges within the AAM field. Examples include drone unmanned aircraft prototypes for specific missions, fuel cell system prototypes for aviation, and storage infrastructure for alternative propulsion in aviation.
While working under the supervision of a faculty member is encouraged, it is not mandatory. Students can choose to work independently or as a team under faculty guidance.
The proposed poster should demonstrate how the design aligns with one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing its contribution to sustainability, societal progress, or economic development.
The competition officially launches on September 5, 2023. Abstracts must be submitted by December 1, 2023. The abstract approval process takes place from December 2023 to January 20, 2024. Digital poster submissions are due by May 31, 2024. Exact dates for the poster exhibition and winner announcement are to be determined.
Winners will have the opportunity to attend ICAO's AAM 2024 event and showcase their solution at a dedicated booth in the academic corner of the exhibition area. Their work will be recognized on ICAO's social media, and they will receive a certificate of recognition signed by ICAO’s Secretary General. Travel and accommodation fees may be covered by the winner’s university if necessary.
The exhibition will showcase participants’ work and take place before ICAO's AAM 2024 event. It provides an opportunity for students to present their prototypes to a broader audience and gain recognition for their innovative solutions.
Participants retain the copyright to their submitted work, but by entering the contest, they grant ICAO permission to utilize their submitted material for the duration of the copyright. The full terms and conditions should be reviewed for detailed information.
Ready to apply?
Abstracts due by December 1, 2023
Terms and Conditions
The following terms and conditions apply to the competition:
- ICAO, its officials, and agents shall not be responsible or liable for any claims, demands, losses and liability of any kind or nature arising out of or in connection with contributors’ participation in this contest, or their acceptances of its awards.
- Participants represent and warrant that their submitted paper is their original work, that it has not been copied, and that it does not violate the rights of any other person.
- The copyright for any submitted paper shall remain the property of the entrant, but entry in this contest constitutes the entrant’s irrevocable, perpetual permission and consent to ICAO and others authorized by ICAO, without further compensation or attribution, to use, distribute, reproduce or otherwise utilize the submitted material(s) in whole or in part for the duration of the copyright.
- By entering your paper in the contest, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold and safe harmless, ICAO and its officials, agents, employees, consultants, subcontractors and other representatives from and against all suits, proceedings, claims, demands, losses and liability of any kind or nature brought by any third party against ICAO, including, but not limited to, all litigation costs and expenses, attorney’s fees, settlement payments and damages, based on, arising from ,or relating to ICAO’s use of the drawing, design or concept.
- Nothing in or relating to the contest or its terms and conditions shall be deemed as a waiver, express or implied, of any of the privileges and immunities enjoyed or which may be enjoyed by ICAO, its officers and staff, either pursuant to the Headquarters Agreement Between the Government of Canada and the International Civil Aviation Organization or other applicable conventions, agreements, laws or decrees.
The obligations under these Terms and Conditions do not lapse upon closure of the contest, and ICAO reserves the right to change, amend, delete or add to these Terms and Conditions at any time.