My experience working on safety and sustainability projects with industry partners

Thursday, July 20, 2023
by Fouad
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Greetings, fellow aviation enthusiasts, prospective students, and industry partners! Today, I want to share my incredible experience working on safety and sustainability projects with industry partners and how it has shaped my perspective as an undergraduate aviation student. So grab your aviator shades, buckle up, and let's dive right in!

It all started when I enrolled in AVIA 417, the aviation safety class last winter. Little did I know that this would be the beginning of an exciting journey. The highlight of this experience was the Aviation Safety Design Challenge, where I had the honor of leading the group working on the fascinating topic of Phraseology.

Our mission was to revolutionize phraseology standards by introducing an improved radio telecommunications guide and enhancing the testing procedures. We aimed to create a more efficient and effective system compared to the current RIC-21 and ROC-A models. To showcase our idea in a fun and creative way, we put together an engaging video presentation that caught the judges' attention and we were rewarded with a fantastic win!

Our triumph opened doors to an incredible opportunity. My teammate Julia and I were invited to present our ground-breaking concept at CASOP (Canadian Safety Officer Partnership) in Winnipeg. We were thrilled, but there was one obstacle: obtaining funding. Undeterred, we took matters into our own hands, pooling our resources to make the trip a reality. And let me tell you, it was the best decision we ever made.

At CASOP, we stood before a room full of industry experts passionate about aviation safety. We shared our vision with passion, raising awareness about the existing challenges and proposing our innovative solution. Networking became second nature to me, and shameless self-promotion was the name of the game. The experience was simply awe-inspiring.

Motivated by the impact our group made, I continued working on the project even after the event. I wanted to turn our idea into a practical reality. Currently, I'm fully immersed in drafting an up-to-date and extensive radio telecommunication guide. Additionally, I'm developing sector-specific phraseology tests tailored to the needs of ATC, pilots, and ground personnel. This personalized approach ensures a more comprehensive evaluation, unlike the one-size-fits-all ROC-A model.

To refine my concept and address safety gaps, I reached out to industry experts I had met at CASOP and connected with on LinkedIn. Their invaluable insights and feedback propelled my idea forward, guiding me towards success. Collaboration has been the secret sauce of this project, as I worked hand in hand with these experts and had the incredible opportunity to test my idea with a working group.

Now, I wish I could spill all the details about this ongoing project, but it's still a work in progress. What I can tell you is that this experience has fueled my ambition and deepened my love for the aviation industry. It has shown me the power of collaboration and the impact a single idea can have on an entire sector.

Whether you're a prospective student ready to embark on this adventure, an employer seeking motivated talents, or an industry partner looking for innovative solutions, let's join forces and strive to inspire each other. Together, we can pave the way for safer skies and a more sustainable future. Buckle up, my friends the journey is just beginning!