Science & Tech · AI · 2 days ago
Calgary philanthropist gives SAIT $30 million for drone training facility
SAIT plans to build a place where students can learn to operate and test drones.
Calgary philanthropist David Bissett donated $30 million to fund it.
The facility will support SAIT’s new diploma program in remotely piloted aircraft.
It aims to prepare students for a growing drone industry.
Calgary philanthropist David Bissett donated $30 million to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology to develop a facility for autonomous and remotely piloted aircraft.
SAIT announced plans on Thursday to build the Bissett Autonomous Aviation Park at its campus.
The park will train, test and certify remotely piloted aircraft systems and autonomous aerial vehicle systems.
SAIT launched Western Canada’s first professional remotely piloted aircraft systems certificate program in 2023 and launched its first such diploma program this fall.
The facility is intended to help train professionals for a growing drone industry.
- Who
- David Bissett and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
- What
- A $30 million donation to develop the Bissett Autonomous Aviation Park
- When
- Announced Thursday; the article was published October 9, 2026
- Where
- SAIT’s campus in Calgary, Alberta
- Why
- To train, test and certify people and aircraft systems for the growing autonomous aviation and drone industry
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Autonomous flight is a new industry taking shape in real time. I want young Albertans to be building it, not watching it happen somewhere else
A province’s prosperity depends on whether its people have the skills the global economy is asking for.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Donation
- $30 million from David Bissett to SAIT
- Facility
- Bissett Autonomous Aviation Park
- Location
- SAIT campus in Calgary, Alberta
- Certificate program
- SAIT launched Western Canada’s first professional RPAS certificate program in 2023
- Market projection
- Canada’s drone market is expected to reach a $10-billion valuation by 2030
Sources
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