Canada Post Mail Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 Aerial Evolution THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AERIAL EVOLUTION ASSOCIATION OF CANADA FALL 2025, ISSUE #2 Magazine MINING & RESOURCE EXPLORATION DRONES AS A FIRST RESPONSE INFRASTRUCTURE MONITORING CONSTRUCTION ENERGY OIL & GAS FORESTRY 2025 AEAC ANNUAL CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 4-6, 2025 EDMONTON, ALBERTAAerial Evolution Magazine | 3 Contents GREETINGS 05 A Message from the Chair of the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada FEATURE STORIES 06 Igniting Innovation: 2025 AEAC Student UAS Competition Lands in Medicine Hat 08 Why Geomatics is Taking to the Sky 11 Better Information, Better Forestry: Transforming Forestry Fieldwork in British Columbia 14 Beyond the Nest: How RPAS Are Reshaping Wildlife and Habitat Management 16 Hide ‘n Seek in Industrial Environments: Using Drones to Change the Game in Corrosion Detection 18 Canada’s New BVLOS Rules 21 Suncor Energy: Pioneering Autonomy in the Heart of the Oil Sands 24 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 26 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Published For: AERIAL EVOLUTION ASSOCIATION OF CANADA Tel.: (613) 526-5487 admin@aerialevolution.ca | www.aerialevolution.ca To update your mailing details, email admin@aerialevolution.ca. 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Account Executives Colleen Bell, Jackie Casburn, Chandler Cousins, Rich Cowan, Rob Gibson, Jim Hamilton, Frank Kenyeres, Sandra Kirby, Andrew Lee, Brian MacIntyre, Chad Morris, Lynn Murphy, Wilma Gray-Rose, Monique Simons Advertising Design James Robinson Layout & Design Cody Chomiak ©2025 Matrix Group Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Printed in Canada. FALL 2025, ISSUE #24 | www.aerialevolution.caAerial Evolution Magazine | 5 Competition, connecting members with top talent from 19 leading Canadian universities and colleges. AEAC continues to bring together passionate individuals from all walks of life – united not by labels, but by their ideas, their work, and their drive to build the future of RPAS in Canada. Go to www.aerialevolution.ca/join to join AEAC today and become part of this transformative journey. Together, we can harness the power of drone technology to drive innovation, foster sustainability, and ensure Canada’s leadership in the global aerospace industry. Land acknowledgement AEAC acknowledges that our work takes place on traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. We are thankful for the Traditional Knowl- edge Keepers, the ancestors who came before us, and the youth from all Nations who inspire us on our shared path toward Reconciliation. the commercial drone and RPAS sec- tor. With a legacy spanning more than 20 years, AEAC (formerly the Unmanned Vehicle Systems Canada and Unmanned Systems Canada) has been at the forefront of RPAS innova- tion, policy development, and national collaboration both in Canada and on the global stage. AEAC represents a dynamic and growing community of industry leaders, researchers, educators, and innovators committed to shaping the future of RPAS technology in Canada. Our members operate in a wide range of sectors where drones are making a major impact, includ- ing mining, oil and gas, construction, critical infrastructure, forestry, and public safety. These industries rely on drones for safer inspections, improved data collec- tion, and operational efficiency. Together, we work to ensure that Canada remains a global leader in aerospace innovation, sustainability, and safety. At AEAC, we advocate for policies that support the responsible integration of drone technology into various indus- tries, fostering innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness. Through our quarterly meetings with Transport Canada, our members have direct access to regulators, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping poli- cies that directly impact their business operations. We also provide unparal- leled networking opportunities through events like Canada’s only national drone conference, where members engage face-to-face with government officials, regulators, industry leaders, and future collaborators. Innovation knows no boundaries We are proud to support the next generation of innovators through ini- tiatives like the annual Student UAS Jordan Cicoria Chair, AEAC GREETINGS A Message from the Chair W elcome to the second edition of the Aerial Evolu- tion Association of Canada’s (AEAC) national commer- cial drone magazine, Aerial Evolution. Our publication reflects the strength and matu- rity of Canada’s remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) community; where innova- tion, leadership, and collaboration are driv- ing real-world results. This year, we proudly celebrate the out- standing student teams who participated in the 2025 AEAC Student UAS Compe- tition held in Medicine Hat, Alberta. The teams’ wildfire detection and response solutions showcased the future of RPAS in Canada, which is making an intelligent, agile, and built for real-world impact. Across the country, drones have become essential tools in industries such as mining, oil and gas, construction, critical infrastruc- ture, and forestry, and are transforming how we inspect assets, manage resources, and respond to challenges. AEAC plays a central role in supporting this shift through advocacy, networking, and knowledge sharing. I invite you to join us at the AEAC 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition, tak- ing place November 4-6, 2025, at Edmon- ton International Airport. With the theme ‘Elevating Aerial Innovation – Canada's Lead- ership in the Evolving Global Drone Ecosys- tem,’ this event is Canada’s essential gath- ering for drone professionals, regulators, and technology leaders. Don’t miss the live demos, Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) updates, strategic workshops, and the rela- tionships that drive our industry forward. Let’s connect in Edmonton – and keep building what’s next. About AEAC AEAC is the nation’s premier indus- try association dedicated to advancing 6 | www.aerialevolution.ca I n May 2025, 15 university teams and more than 175 students from across Canada touched down in Medicine Hat, Alberta, for the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada (AEAC) 16th Annual National Stu- dent UAS Competition. With 19 schools registered and 15 completing Phase II, this event marked a full return to national scale and showcased the next generation of Canadian remotely piloted aircraft sys- tems (RPAS) talent. The 2025 challenge asked students to develop autonomous wildfire detec- tion and response systems – a scenario rooted in one of the most pressing issues facing Canada today. The competition for- mat included two phases: a written design report (Phase I) and an operational flight demonstration (Phase II), with the goal of simulating a real-world wildfire emergency and demonstrating how drone systems could detect fire hotspots, assess risk areas, and deliver water to targeted zones. Hosted at the Len Young Memorial Air- field by the Medicine Hat RC’ers, the field demonstration had teams test their plat- forms in a tightly scripted mission profile. Task 1 focused on hotspot detection using visual and IR cues, while Task 2 required aerial water delivery to simulated wildfire zones. A two-phase national challenge The AEAC Student UAS Competition is structured to reflect real-world project cycles. In Phase I, teams submit detailed design reports that outline their systems architecture, component integration, mis- sion strategy, and safety protocols. These submissions are evaluated by an expert panel on innovation, feasibility, and completeness. The Phase I winners for 2025 were: • First place: UVic Aero – University of Victoria • Second place: WARG – University of Waterloo • Third place: UTAT UAS – University of Toronto These three teams demonstrated for- ward-thinking design strategies that bal- anced innovation with practical execution. Their concepts laid a strong foundation heading into the operational demonstra- tion phase in Medicine Hat. FEATURE Igniting Innovation: 2025 AEAC Student UAS Competition Lands in Medicine Hat Phase I First Place winner: UVic Aero – University of Victoria Team. In May 2025, teams and students from across Canada landed in Medicine Hat for the National Student Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Competition. Photos courtesy of AEAC. By Declan Sweeney, Executive Director, Aerial Evolution Association of CanadaAerial Evolution Magazine | 7 and offered sponsors the chance to engage with future talent and showcase their leader- ship in the RPAS sector. Building the future of RPAS in Canada The AEAC Student UAS Competition continues to play a pivotal role in Canada’s innovation pipeline. Each participating team operates as a mini company – managing logistics, budgeting, technical design, and risk management. These students leave the competition with real-world skills and indus- try connections that prepare them to lead in Canada’s growing commercial drone industry. The competition also reinforces AEAC’s broader mission: to bring together opera- tors, researchers, manufacturers, and ser- vice providers in a shared vision of aerial evolution. Looking ahead: Ottawa 2026 As we close the book on Medicine Hat, excitement is already building for next year’s competition at Area X.O in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada’s premier research and development complex for connected, autonomous, and aerial systems. The 2026 challenge promises even more complexity, more integration with real-world airspace management tools, and deeper collabora- tion between the students and industry. Get the full recap The full post-event booklet – complete with team spotlights, sponsor profiles, and event photography – is available online at https://bit.ly/2025StudentCompetitionBooklet. We thank all students, volunteers, judg- es, and community members for making 2025 a landmark year. Let the countdown begin for 2026 in Ottawa! Declan Sweeney leads AEAC as Executive Director, bringing over two decades of experi- ence in RPAS policy, operations, and industry strategy. A recipient of the Pip Rudkin Award for individual achievement, he is a passionate advocate for education and mentorship –cham- pioning inclusive pathways to build a skilled national talent pipeline and empower the next generation of drone professionals to lead Cana- da’s evolving aerospace sector. could be deployed in forestry, national parks, and remote regions threatened by fire. Medicine Hat: A host community of innovation The 2025 competition was made pos- sible by the incredible support of commu- nity partners in Medicine Hat and South- east Alberta. AEAC’s national organizing committee worked closely with: • Community Futures Entre-Corp • APEX Regional Innovation Network of Southeast Alberta • Foremost UAS Test Range • Medicine Hat College • Medicine Hat Economic Development • Medicine Hat RC’ers Flying Club • Prairie Rose School Division • Super T Aviation • Tourism Medicine Hat Together, these organizations created a vibrant and welcoming experience for students and visitors alike. Many attendees were visiting Alberta for the first time and were greeted with genuine Western hos- pitality and a deep sense of pride in the region’s growing aerospace sector. Partners and sponsors who made it possible The success of the AEAC Student UAS Competition is grounded in strong industry and institutional support. This year’s event was proudly supported by the following: • NAV CANADA • DND - Innovation for Defence Excel- lence and Security (IDEaS) • Community Futures Entre-Corp • Calgary Economic Development • McElhanney • QinetiQ Target Systems • Stinson Aerial Services Inc. • Lockheed Martin Canada Skunk Works • ARA Robotique Inc. • Canadian UAVs • UVA Dynamics Inc. • Landing Zones Canada • AIRmarket • Threshold UAV • NGC Aerospace • ComQuest Ventures LLC - SIMNET This collective support enabled AEAC to deliver a world-class competition experience Phase II then moves from paper to prototype, as teams conduct live flight operations that simulate wildfire reconnais- sance and aerial water delivery. The mis- sion involved two complex tasks: mapping infrared (IR) fire hotspots with georefer- enced KML files and autonomously retriev- ing and releasing water over designated zones. Celebrating the top performers After months of design, fabrication, and flight testing, three teams rose to the top in Phase II flight performance: • First place: WARG – University of Waterloo • Second place: UBC UAS – University of British Columbia • Third place: Blackbird UAV – Carleton University Their success reflects technical mastery, mission readiness, and operational efficiency – all essential skills for Canada’s evolving RPAS sector. Special recognition awards Four additional teams were honoured for standout qualities that embody the spirit of AEAC’s competition: • Innovation Award (Sponsored by McElhanney): UTAT UAS – University of Toronto • Pip Rudkin Memorial Award for Perseverance (sponsored by Stinson Aerial Services Inc.): McGill Drones and Vertical Flight Society • Judges Award (sponsored by Qin- etiQ Target Systems): UVic Aero – Uni- versity of Victoria • Team Spirit Award (sponsored by Lock- heed Martin Canada Skunk Works): Zenith – Polytechnique Montréal Each of these awards reflect ingenuity, resilience, and teamwork – qualities that extend beyond any flight line or design brief. The challenge in detail This year’s mission was themed ‘Pro- tecting Lives, Advancing Technology: Pio- neering Autonomous Systems for Wildfire Response’ and it tested the limits of the teams’ creativity and coordination. In Task 1, teams visually located simulated smoke columns and IR hotspots, identifying fire sources and logging coordinates into KML geospatial files. In Task 2, teams were challenged to autonomously pick up and release water over specific fire zones with precision. These tasks mirrored real conditions faced by emergency responders, highlight- ing how student-designed RPAS systems Phase II First Place winner: WARG – University of Waterloo Team.8 | www.aerialevolution.ca L ike many drone enthusiasts, Stefan Kischkel remembers the time when folks would build their drones in garag- es with parts ordered from online mail-order catalogues – and nobody concerned themselves with what happened next. “It really was the wild west for drones,” remembers Kischkel. During those early days, Kischkel was racking up hundreds of survey and map- ping projects in roles that got his hands on every kind of data collection and pro- cessing tool available, from LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and total stations to geographic information systems (GIS) and project automations. After more than a decade in the field, however, Kischkel zeroed in on a tool with an undeniable emerging stake in the survey FEATURE By Andrea de Vries, Marketing Specialist, Cities & Communities, McElhanney Why Geomatics is Taking to the Sky In May 2023, the 14th Annual AEAC Student UAS Competition brought teams to Québec City to develop and demonstrate an urban air mobility system sub-scale prototype. Photos courtesy of AEAC. Stefan Kischkel overlooked the action and adjudicated one of the events at the UAS Competition.Aerial Evolution Magazine | 9 “We’re here to bring all these users together to share ideas without taking away individual competitive advantages, and to make a global impact with Cana- dian airspace,” says AEAC Executive Direc- tor, Declan Sweeney. “To that end, AEAC’s events, working groups, and committees keep members at the forefront of stan- dards and regulation development, and the annual student competition connects that body of knowledge with the next gen- eration of RPAS business leaders.” For Kischkel, being at the AEAC table means having a voice in how the stan- dards and regulations dictating McElhan- ney drone usage are developed. “We solve all kinds of classic geomatics challenges with drone technology at McElhan- ney,” says Kischkel. “Because of our involvement Kischkel’s survey and mapping work at McEl- hanney, but the bigger context did; Kischkel had found the industry body that was build- ing consensus around drone operations in Canada. At the same time, he’d found the people that held the future of Canada’s RPAS systems in their bright minds... and in the backs of their sprinter vans. A voice at the table Participating as a judge at the student competition was just the beginning of AEAC involvement for Kischkel, and he quickly inte- grated further into the organization. For the past 20 years, the association had dedicated itself to the protection and representation of Canada’s RPAS community interests. At the AEAC table, Kischkel found himself beside drone manufacturers, regulators, and other service providers. and mapping geomatics landscape: remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). In 2021, Kischkel became the RPAS Pro- gram Coordinator at McElhanney Ltd., an engineering consulting firm in Western Canada. He says, “My immediate concern after moving into that role was to get involved with an industry body that was building consensus around drone operations. And that’s when I came across this national stu- dent competition.” A student competition for remotely piloted aircraft Alma is an agricultural and recreational hub on the shores of Lac Saint-Jean, just over two hours from Québec City. In May 2023, brimming sprinter vans and rent- al cars converged in Alma for the 14th Annual AEAC (Aerial Evolution Association of Canada) Student UAS (Unmanned Air- craft Systems) Competition. Teams from as far west as Vancouver packed their soldering guns, circuit boards, and brightest minds to resolve the competition’s 2023 challenge: to develop and demonstrate an urban air mobility system sub-scale prototype. Kischkel found himself in the middle of the action, adjudicating one of the events. The competition specifics didn’t relate to “AEAC’s events, working groups, and committees keep members at the forefront of standards and regulation development, and the annual student competition connects that body of knowledge with the next generation of RPAS business leaders.” – Declan Sweeney, AEAC Continued on page 10Next >