Events
UPCOMING Events
The AIR Institute’s Executive Speaker Series will continue in Spring 2026. Please check back to see which exciting speaker we will host next!
Past Events
Aerial Robotics for Advanced Sensing Applications
October 3, 2025
As part of a joint seminar series in Fall 2025, UNC Charlotte’s Mechanical Engineering & Engineering Science (MEES) and Robotics and Controls Systems (RCS) hosted Dr. Nikos Vitzilaios, visitor from University of South Carolina, on October 3, 2025. In this talk, titled “Aerial Robotics for Advanced Sensing Applications”, Dr. Vitzilaios discussed his research in UAS-based monitoring of bridges and railroad infrastructure, work on robotic perception using fiducial markers, and a combined aerial/marine robotic system.
2025 Airport Engineering Seminar
October 21-22, 2025
Our annual seminar featured presentations by industry, government, and academic experts in airport design, construction, operation, and maintenance. The UNC Charlotte’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and The Charlotte Aviation Innovation and Research (AIR) Institute, partnered with Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and the Sullenberger Aviation Museum.
The two-day program, held at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, and included shuttles to an immersive behind-the-scenes tour of CLT. This seminar was open to engineers, architects and related professionals who have an interest in aviation related topics within civil engineering. The intent of the program was to provide attendees with information on the latest methods and trends in concrete pavements, airport safety and security during construction, lighting and marking, and airport financing.
Aerospace Engineering Camp
June 23-27, 2025
The AIR Institute supported and hosted the Aerospace Engineering Camp through UNC Charlotte’s Camps on Campus on June 23-27, 2025. Six scholarships were awarded by the AIR Institute to talented students demonstrating need.
Aerospace Engineering Camp immersed students in a week of hands-on activities and field experiences covering aircraft propulsion, UAV technology, aerodynamics, atmospheric science, aerospace structures, and rocket science.
The AIR Institute hosted Ms. Diana Birkett Rakow, SVP for Public Affairs & Sustainability at Alaska Airlines on Friday, June 13th from 10:30 am to noon EST. Attendees were able to join in person or virtually for her keynote presentation, “21st Century Aviation Challenges and Opportunities: Alaska Air Group’s Innovation Journey.”
2025 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems
May 14-17, 2025
AIR Institute faculty and students participated in and supported this event, ICUAS 2025, hosted by UNC Charotte.
ICUAS 2025 centered around civil and public domain applications, and on the impact of unmanned aviation to society. Technical challenges cover a wide spectrum of topics; however, emphasis is given to:
- Aerial Manipulation
- Morphological Designs of Aerial Robots
- Bio-inspired Aerial Robots
- UAV Design for Resilience
- Multi-mode Unmanned Platforms
- Swarms and Multi-UAVs systems
- Learning-based Perception, Navigation & Control
- Efficient, Online Autonomy
- Applications of Aerial Robots
- Human Factors and Ethical AI for Aerial Robots
- Regulations and Policies for Autonomous Operations
- Integration into the National Airspace
The AIR Institute held its inaugural Executive Speaker Series event on April 25, 2025, hosting Dr. Jeff Borowiec, CM, Aviation Program Director at Woopert and current Transportation Research Board (TRB) Aviation Group Chair. Dr. Borowiec met with AIR Institute leadership and faculty, and presented a keynote address on “Emerging Technologies in Aviation Workforce and Development Needs.”
Flight Forward Cohort Tour
March 10, 2025
AIR Institute hosted a tour for the Sullenberger Aviation Museum’s Flight Forward Cohort on March 10, 2025.
The AIR Institute faculty and students participated in the Southeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) event in Charlotte, NC on March 22-25, 2025.
2024 Airport Engineering Seminar
October 7-8, 2024
The Charlotte AIR Institute and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) hosted the 5th Airport Engineering Seminar in fall 2024. This time, the event was held at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum and again featured presentations by industry, government, and academic experts in airport design, construction, operation and maintenance. The keynote speaker was Mr. Robert Sumwalt, former Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Airport Engineering Seminar
October 24-25, 2023
UNC Charlotte’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and the Charlotte AIR Institute have partnered with Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), the Sullenberger Aviation Museum and industry experts to offer this informative, in-person event. The seminar will feature presentations by industry, government, and academic experts in airport design, construction, operation and maintenance.