Overview on the Development of Avionics Systems in Canada – CRIAQ Collaborative Research Projects Model
Clément FORTIN
Ph.D., Eng. President and CEO Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ)

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Abstract : Over the last few years, the development of avionics systems has accelerated in Canada. Collaborative R&D initiatives such as CRIAQ support the development of future technologies where space and aeronautics systems are becoming more integrated. CRIAQ has more than 100 R&D projects in its portfolio and foresees that unmanned systems are a key future aerospace technology for commercial and military applications in Canada.

CRIAQ is a unique model of collaborative industry-led research involving universities and research centres. The consortium promotes collaboration between specialists from industry and researchers to identify and implement pre-competitive projects that meet industry requirements. Projects, which last on average three years, involve at least two industries and two research units and are mostly initiated during the research forum. A single generic intellectual property agreement is used by all partners.

Biography : Dr Clément Fortin is President and CEO of CRIAQ since August 2010. He was Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at École Polytechnique de Montréal from 2005 to 2010 and a Professor at the institution since 1987.

He served as a pilot in the Canadian Forces from 1975 to 1980 where he logged over 1,600 hours of flying time on jet trainers and fighters. Then he has founded Polyplan Technologies, a spin-off of Polyvalor and a leader in Manufacturing Process Management (MPM).

Dr Fortin is a member of Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ), the American Association for Engineering Education (ASEE) and the Design Society. In 2008, he was named Pratt & Whitney Canada Research Fellow. He is also Fellow of the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering.