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Tag: Aviation

Inspires future aviation leaders at Belgrade’s “Transport and Traffic Business Days”

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The Engage 2 project successfully completed its third Open Day last week in Belgrade, marking another milestone in introducing students to the vast career landscape of ATM. Held as part of the “Transport and Traffic Business Days” (TTBD) organized by the Students’ Association of the University of Belgrade, the event fostered high levels of engagement and curiosity among the next generation of transport professionals.

Exploring the ATM career universe

On 22 April, the Engage 2 stand became a hub of activity. Students from the Department of Air Transport and Traffic, ranging from first-year undergraduates to Master’s level students, joined by peers from Logistics and Road transport departments, explored the diversity of roles within the sector. The interactive setup allowed participants to engage with project videos and detailed Job Cards, complete a digital survey to match their skills with one of the four Engage 2 job categories and take part in an “on-the-spot” ranking activity to visualize which specific roles resonated most with them.

Over 30 students completed the survey, with many others contributing to the visual ranking board. The results showed a spread of interests across the four pillars of the project:

  1. Operational: high interest was noted in traditional and emerging roles like Air Traffic Controller and Remote Tower Operator.
  2. Human-Centered: roles such as UX Researcher and HMI Designer saw significant engagement.
  3. Regulatory & Planning: students showed a keen interest in Airspace Management & Design.
  4. Technical & Innovative: the field remains a strong draw for those looking toward the digital future of aviation.
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Sky Roles: learning through play

The activity continued on 23 April with the interactive workshop “Sky Roles: The Guessing Challenge” More than 20 students participated in this fast-paced quiz, using clues to identify various ATM roles mapped by the project. The session was defined by a fun and competitive atmosphere, proving that gamified learning is an effective tool for demystifying complex career paths.

The two events not only met their objectives of collecting structured insights for project reporting but also succeeded in their core mission: encouraging students to reflect on their potential future in the ATM world.

A huge thank you to the University of Belgrade and all the students who brought such energy and insight to our stand.

Summer school #3 in Trieste. Registration now open

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Time to plan a trip to Trieste! The third edition of the Engage 2 Summer School will take place from 14 to 18 September 2026.

The event will be hosted at the Scuola Interpreti (SSLMIT), located in the heart of Trieste. Prospective attendees are encouraged to register by 26 June 2026. Please note that while Engage 2 PhD students are guaranteed a place, other applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The registration will close Friday 26 June 2026 at midnight.

Click here and fill the REGISTRATION FORM

The Summer School is designed for early-career researchers, PhD students and young professionals. This year’s programme will explore current and emerging topics in ATM, providing participants with a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts and network with peers from across Europe.

Logistic

A limited number of rooms at a discounted rate are available at Opera Figli del Popolo (Largo Papa Giovanni XXIII)

  • Getting there: the accommodation is a 20-minute walk from the venue in Via Filzi, or easily reachable by local bus
  • Availability: 7 twin/double rooms (14 spots total)
  • Rates: €36 per night for a double room
  • Facilities: please note that this is a guest house, not a hostel. All rooms include an en-suite bathroom and the rate includes a simple breakfast
Wiki – Past editions for reference

Tomorrow’s voices at Airspace World 2026

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

As the aviation industry undergoes a period of unprecedented transformation, from the integration of U-space to the push for total decarbonisation, the need for fresh perspectives has never been greater. For many years, Engage 2 has collaborated closely with CANSO to bridge the gap between today’s industry leaders and the next generation of talent.

Tomorrow’s Voices is more than just a visit to a trade show; it is a gateway to a career in aviation. Registrations are now officially open. If you are a student or a young professional eager to define the future of our skies, we want to hear from you.

Ready to join us in Lisbon? Register here for Tomorrow’s Voices 2026

We are delighted to invite students and young professionals (aged 20–30) to join us in Lisbon from 26–28 May 2026 for a unique immersive experience.

A cornerstone of the Engage 2 contribution, the Inspirational Tours, will return this year in a reimagined format. Moving beyond traditional exhibition walks, the 2026 tours are designed to be more interactive and thematic. Participants will not only observe cutting-edge technologies but will engage in direct dialogue with the experts and visionaries behind them, exploring how research is being translated into real-world operational solutions.

Stay tuned to the Engage 2 website and our social media channels for further updates on the full programme and speaker line-up.

AI in ATM: highlights and insights from the Bled dissemination event

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The highlights video and other materials of the Dissemination Event held in Bled, Slovenia, are now available. The gathering brought together experts from five SESAR projects – ASTRA, SynthAir, CODA, TRUSTY and Engage 2 – to discuss the integration of Artificial Intelligence within the ATM ecosystem.

Download the presentations
From research to operational reality

The event focused on moving beyond the conceptual stage of AI to address concrete challenges such as system modernization, climate impact, and the evolving role of human operators. Key takeaways from the participating projects included:

  • Human-centric AI (CODA). Developing neuro-adaptive teaming where the system dynamically adjusts support based on the controller’s state.
  • The Trust Paradox (TRUSTY). Analyzing how technical explainability affects user trust, noting that excessive information can sometimes lead to cognitive overload.
  • Predictive Complexity (ASTRA). Using machine learning to identify traffic “hotspots” and support Flow Management Positions (FMP) with data-driven complexity scores.
  • Synthetic Data (SynthAir). Generating robust datasets to overcome privacy and scarcity issues in AI training.
Future outlook

Discussions during the event highlighted that the next decade of ATM will be shaped by the need for new ethical and regulatory frameworks. The transition of theATCOs from a tactical executor to a strategic manager remains a central theme, requiring evolved training and certification processes for AI systems that learn post-deployment.

As noted by Micol Biscotto (Engage 2 Coordinator), organizing joint events is a fundamental step for projects to share results and collaborate on common challenges, ensuring that research aligns with the operational realities of European aviation. The official presentations and technical slides from the event are also available for further review on the project websites.

Exceptional response to the Catalyst Fund second call

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

We are proud to o announce that the second call for the Engage 2 Catalyst Fund, which closed on 2nd February 2026, has received an extraordinary response. A total of 27 applications were submitted, a remarkable figure that highlights the incredible innovation and potential within our research community.

This high volume of proposals demonstrates the need for initiatives like the Catalyst Fund in driving the future of aviation. We are now entering the evaluation phase, where our Awards Board will assess each submission against rigorous standards of excellence. We want to thank all the consortia who submitted their visions for the future of ATM. The sheer quality and quantity of applications reinforce our commitment to supporting the next generation of aerospace research.

For further details on the Catalyst Fund, visit the Wiki: https://wikiengagektn.com/catalyst-projects/

The evaluation process

To ensure a fair and high-quality selection, all proposals will be evaluated based on four key criteria. For a proposal to remain eligible, it must meet a minimum threshold of 7/10 in every category. The final ranking will be determined by applying specific weightings to these scores:

  1. Impact: explicitly defined impact on, and relevance to, ATM (including U-space/UAS).
    Threshold: 7/10 – Weighting: 30%
  2. Innovation: contribution to advancing the state of the art, maturing TRLs, or improving concept application.
    Threshold: 7/10 – Weighting: 25%
  3. Quality: strength of the research plan, success measures, and the consortium’s relevant experience.
    Threshold: 7/10 – Weighting: 25%
  4. Integration: meaningful consultation and engagement with industry members (excluding academia).
    Threshold: 7/10 – Weighting: 20%
How the projects will be selected

Once the eligible proposals are ranked, the Awards Board will follow a structured funding allocation:

  1. Thematic priority. Initially, provided they fall within the top 75th percentile, funding will be awarded to two proposals for each of Thematic Challenges 1 and 2, and one proposal for each of Thematic Challenges 3 and 4.
  2. Open ranking. The remaining proposals (including “open” topics) will be funded strictly by their rank order.
  3. Final decisions. In the event of a tie, the Board will vote, with the Chair holding the casting vote.

Highlights from SESAR Innovation Days 2025

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

The Engage 2 consortium made a significant impact at the 2025 SESAR Innovation Days (SIDs), held from 1-4 December in Lake Bled, Slovenia. As the flagship event for Europe’s ATM research community, this year’s conference highlighted collaboration as the “secret sauce” behind ATM transformation, a theme that resonates deeply with Engage 2’s mission to bridge the gap between academia and the aviation industry.

Championing young talents

Since 2023, Engage 2 has been dedicated to cultivating young talent in the ATM domain and this commitment was on full display in Bled. The project supported the attendance of three of its seven funded PhD candidates, along with an MSc student who has successfully navigated the sector with the guidance of Engage 2 mentors.

Their presence demonstrated to the wider SESAR community the consortium’s proactive approach to creating opportunities for early-career researchers. By facilitating these connections, Engage 2 continues to foster links between the next generation of innovators and the established aviation industry.

Leadership in technical sessions and expanding the knowledge hub

Beyond supporting students, Engage 2 partners played a central role in the event’s technical programme. Many partners served as moderators for various technical sessions throughout the convention, underscoring the high profile and expertise of the network’s researchers within the European ATM landscape.

During the plenary session, the Engage 2 Coordinator took the stage to highlight the project’s tangible achievements. Key milestones presented included the seven funded PhDs and the series of successful joint events organised across different projects, as well as the continuous popularity of the Wiki, the platform that will host the technical papers from this year’s SIDs edition, alongside archives from previous years. This initiative reinforces the Wiki’s status as a central repository for ATM knowledge, ensuring that the research shared at Lake Bled remains accessible to the community.

Advancing AI in ATM: joint dissemination event

Following the main conference, Slovenian week ended on December 5th with a joint final dissemination event titled “AI-based innovation in ATM: enhancing efficiency, trust and safety.”This event focused on the final results and achievements of four SESAR-supported exploratory research projects (TRUSTY, ASTRA, SynthAIr and CODA-ATC). Bringing together a total of 63 participants (21 onsite and 42 joining online), the session provided a platform to showcase innovations aimed at improving the European ATM network. Attendees engaged directly with project teams to learn about tested AI-based solutions, specifically in enhancing air traffic control efficiency; building operator trust in autonomous and AI-driven systems; ensuring the highest standards of safety in a digitalised airspace.

About SESAR Innovation Days

Hosted by Pipistrel and the University of Ljubljana, the 2025 SESAR Innovation Days brought together 450 leading researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to discuss the future of the Digital European Sky. For more information on the event and its outcomes, visit the SESAR Joint Undertaking news page.

The Engage 2 Matchmaking App enters its testing phase

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

We are excited to introduce the testing version of the Engage 2 Ma tchmaking App, a dedicated community designed for everyone who wants to explore and learn about the aviation world. Whether you are a student, an enthusiast, or a professional, this platform offers a focused environment where information is clear and networking feels purposeful.

Download now

Android: Google Play Store

iOS: App Store

The app brings together tools to help you connect and explore. It allows you to discover aviation-focused content and connect with others through interest-based matches.

Any feedback? Fill this form and tell us about your experience!

What you can do

  • Connect through Matches: Find people with similar aviation interests or goals and start meaningful conversations.
  • Explore Companies & Universities: Access official profiles to discover industry insights, view academic programs, and connect with verified representatives.
  • See Relevant Content: Filter your feed to see posts connected specifically to your focus areas.
  • Collaborate & Grow: Share experiences, ask questions, and engage with a community built around aviation knowledge.

Whether you are preparing for a career, exploring study options, or expanding your network, this platform helps you stay connected to the heart of aviation.

24-25 February 2026, workshop in Athens. Passenger-Centric Digital Airports & Multimodality

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

We are pleased to invite the SESAR community to Athens for a two-day event dedicated to transforming airport operations and enhancing multimodal transport connectivity. Co-organized by Engage 2, FASTNet, JARVIS and AIA – Athens International Airport, which hosts the event celebrating its 25th anniversary, this event will bring together industry experts and SESAR projects to share insights on the “Digital European Sky” vision.

Event details:

  • Date: 24–25 February 2026
  • Location: Sofitel Athens Airport, Greece
Register NOW
Check the brochure with the AGENDA

Day 1: Workshop on Thematic Challenge #2. The first day is dedicated to a deep dive into Thematic Challenge #2: Passenger-centric digital airport. Discussions will revolve around the concept of the data-centric airport, specifically analyzing passenger dynamics and movements within airport premises, and the implementation of virtual queuing systems.

Participants will engage in round-table discussions covering three critical clusters:

  • Passenger Experience
  • Operator Experience
  • Environmental Impact

Day 2: FASTNet Demo & Airport Visit. The second day offers a practical look at emerging solutions. Attendees will witness the FASTNet project demonstration, featuring operational concepts and validation results (Solutions 0346 & 0347). The event will conclude with an exclusive visit to the Athens International Airport, providing a real-world backdrop to our discussions on multimodal integration.

From inspiration to action: Engage 2 fuels the next generation of aviation talent at Aviation 4 Girls 2025

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

Engage 2 was proud to participate in the successful Aviation 4 Girls (A4G) 2025 event, hosted at EUROCONTROL HQ on November 10, 2025.

The event welcomed nearly 200 young participants from over 20 nationalities on-site, with an additional 400+ livestream viewers joining remotely. Through captivating stories, live demonstrations and hands-on workshops, participants discovered the magic and limitless possibilities within aviation. The feedback from the attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with many leaving inspired to pursue careers in the industry, a testament to the impact of all the partners involved.

Highlighting future careers and innovation

In collaboration with AviAll – Aviation for All, Engage 2 played a role in showcasing the diverse career paths within ATM and the broader aviation ecosystem. We presented our Job Cards, offering the young audience a tangible look at the wide variety of roles available, helping to break down stereotypes and make the sector more accessible. Furthermore, attendees were given an exclusive first look at the matchmaking app, currently under development. This innovative tool is designed to help connect talent with opportunities, ensuring the next generation of professionals can easily find their place and thrive in the industry. The participation of Engage 2 and AviAll underscores a shared commitment to fostering a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce that will shape the future of aviation.

Engage 2 joins “Aviation for Girls 2025 – Girls in Command”

Written by Serena Fabbrini on .

On Monday 10 November, Engage 2 will take part in Aviation for Girls 2025 – Girls in Command, an inspiring event dedicated to encouraging young women to explore careers in aviation organised by AviAll, the association founded in 2021 by Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) practitioners from across the aviation industry, working together to build a more diverse and inclusive sector.. 

As part of our commitment to fostering the next generation of aviation professionals, Engage 2 will bring its Inspirational Tour activity and a selection of Job Cards designed to showcase the wide variety of roles and career paths within Air Traffic Management and aviation.

Through these interactive materials, we aim to break stereotypes, promote inclusion, and empower young women to imagine themselves as future innovators, engineers, controllers, and leaders in the aviation domain.

This participation aligns with Engage 2’s broader mission to connect knowledge, people, and opportunities across the aviation research community, ensuring that the sky of tomorrow is open to everyone.