DAIR

About DAIR

The Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research (DAIR) hub brings together academics, companies, research organizations and government stakeholders around a shared goal – to advance Canada’s global aerospace industry leadership

Located at Downsview Park in Toronto, we are proudly building on the legacy of visionaries, leaders and workers who helped make Canada a global aerospace and aviation champion.

Our Beginnings

First envisioned in 2012 by Centennial College, the University of Toronto and Bombardier, DAIR began as a working group seeking to strengthen Canadian aerospace R&D and education. In 2018, DAIR started actively expanding its operations, staff and physical site. This led to its incorporation in 2020 and the appointment of a Board of Directors and a full-time Executive Director to direct our continuing growth.

The Power of Collaboration Advances the Ontario Aerospace Industry

Our purpose is to facilitate innovative collaboration between industry and academia to strengthen Ontario’s aerospace ecosystem to the benefit of the Canadian sector as a whole. Our immediate goals are to foster strong R&D partnerships and create transformational solutions that can significantly boost our members’ competitiveness.

We leverage the power of collaboration to enable technologies for a greener aviation industry and to help aerospace companies enhance their productivity.

IN 2020:

Among Canadian manufacturing industries, aerospace ranks No. 1 for R&D.​

Canada is the only country that ranks among the top-five nations worldwide for civil flight simulators, civil engines and civil aircraft. Today, Canada’s aerospace industry contributes over $22 billion in GDP annually and exports more than 75% of its production.​

Product and export diversification as well as participation in global value chains are key to the Canadian aerospace industry.

Our Industry on the World Stage

Ontario’s aerospace sector is a leader in business aircraft, landing gear, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and other key market segments, and spends half a billion dollars in R&D annually.

In 2020, despite facing extraordinary challenges, the Canadian aerospace industry contributed $22.3 billion to the nation’s GDP and exported more than 75% of its products and services to 186 countries across six continents.

Internationally, this sector is poised for significant growth. Experts forecast $9 trillion worth of aerospace opportunities in commercial, defence and services over the next decade. To maintain and grow its position, Canada must make the best of its resources.

Collaboration will be key to our success.

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          Advanced Mobility Products Inc.

          (advancedmobilityproducts.com)

          Project Title: Development of Safe and Reliable Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) for a Solar Battery Electric UAS

          Project Description: The project is to develop Safe and Reliable RESS for Superwake's Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) commercial applications. As Superwake begins its drive towards commercialization of its product, the need for conformity to regulatory standards is critical to the success of the product. This project focuses on a product conformity related to a regulatory framework such as Transport Canada Advisory Circular (AC) No. 922-001 – Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Safety Assurance. More specifically, a more complex RESS is required in advanced operations such as beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), flying in controlled airspace and near people.

          Environmental Impact: Low carbon footprint and replacement of aero vehicles that run on fossil fuels. The use of smaller solar battery electric drones can replace some applications of small, manned utility aircraft used in commercial applications. The cost to operate these drones would be substantially lower using solar battery electric drones.

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          Portrait photo of Nacy Barber

          Nancy Barber

          President

          Women in Aerospace Canada

          An aerospace senior executive with over 20 years of in-depth experience in operations, supply chain, and program management, Nancy Barber has spent much of her career in a product development environment involving large-scale clean sheet commercial and business aircraft programs. Nancy owns her own consulting business, Barber Complete Consultancy Inc, and is currently active in the aerospace industry, focused on leadership development, mergers & acquisitions, commercial strategy, product strategy and business development.

          Prior to Nancy establishing BCC Inc., she held the position of Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier Business Aircraft, responsible for planning, assembly, and delivery of the Learjet, Challenger, and Global business aircraft as well as the industrialization strategy of Bombardier’s operational footprint. Nancy also held the role of Vice President, responsible for the Global 7500 and Global 8000, and New Aircraft Studies, where she led proactive management or program milestones and cost commitments supporting the ramp up of the Global 7500 aircraft, the largest purpose-built business aircraft world-wide, and its successful entry into service in 2018.
          Nancy is a passionate promoter of women in aerospace serving as a mentor, coach, and speaker. In 2020, Nancy was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, and the Northern Lights Aero Foundation awarded her with the Elsie Award for Business in recognition of her outstanding contributions to aviation and aerospace in Canada.

          In June 2022, Nancy was appointed President of Women in Aerospace Canada, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to expanding women’s opportunities for leadership and professional development as well as increasing their visibility in the aerospace community by creating a professional network in Canada and across the globe.

          Nancy graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Waterloo and has successfully completed the Queen's University Executive Leadership Program. She is published in the Journal of Sport Management as well as the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

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