Reaserch, development and innovation
Estonian Aviation Academy is an active research and development partner in the aviation ecosystem, combining applied research, industry-focused services, and international collaboration to advance unmanned and future aviation solutions.
We combine academic expertise, modern infrastructure, and industry collaboration to develop, test, and implement innovative aviation solutions.
Our RDI focus areas include:
- unmanned aviation and autonomous flight technologies,
- adaptive autopilots and intelligent systems,
- aerodynamics and energy-efficient design,
- sustainable aviation fuels and transport solutions,
- urban air mobility, resilient infrastructure,
- and integrated CNS.
Projects
Our projects range from developing drone mission readiness and automation to enabling safe integration of manned and unmanned aviation, and advancing sustainable aviation solutions.
Focus areas:
- Sustainable aviation and green technologies
- Unmanned aviation and U-space development
- Advanced aviation technologies and digitalisation
- Service development and support for student entrepreneurship
Research
We conduct applied research in key areas of aviation and unmanned systems, combining engineering, digital technologies, and real-world validation.
We have five scientific research groups:
Control and navigation in dynamic environments
Drone swarm based sensor arrays
Small scale propeller aerodynamics
Nanoparticles-based additives in jet-fuels combustion
Ionic wind phenomena for energy efficient aerodynamic systems
More about our research groups
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Services
We support companies and public sector organisations across the full innovation lifecycle - from concept development and testing to validation and deployment.
Services include:
UAS flight planning and operations support
Testing and validation of drone technologies
U-space and airspace integration solutions
Communication and navigation system testing
Certification and regulatory consulting
Aerodynamic analysis and CFD simulations
Aircraft and drone design and optimisation etc
See our service offerings here
Our lab capatibilities
Assembling capabilities for various UAS platforms, electronics & soldering stations, 3-D printing, software (Airdata, LiftOff, UgCS).
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AERODYNAMICS AND FLIGHT MECHANICS LAB
Hangar (1000 m2), NDT testing, CNC milling, composite manufacturing, aerodynamic and structural analysis, engine performance testing, Hardware/Software-in-the-Loop validation.
Radio measurements, EMC analysis, EW testing spectrum analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, software (Matlab/Labview).
UAS FLIGHT TEST CENTER
UAS cage (90x30x15 m), rural test flight area with supporting ground infrastructure, surveillance, ARC/GRC mitigation, support for experimental UAS platforms, spectrum management, simulators.
Cooperation and networks: European network of U-space stakeholders (Eurocontrol), European UAS Test Centres Alliance (DLR), SESAR 3 JU (U-space), JEDA (Joint European Drone Associations), ZeroEST (Estonia’s Zero Emission Air Mobility Ecosystem), Tartu Science Park , NATO DIANA accelerator (testing & validation), EUROCAE member (WG-105 UAS standards)
What we offer for academic & research partners:
Joint research projects
Student exchange
Technology development
Innovation in aviation and UAS
What we offer for institutional partners:
Joint aviation innovation projects
Industry workshops and conferences
Drone applications
Supporting aerospace and UAS ecosystem development
What we offer for aviation industry partners:
Internships and training
Operational training
Applied research
Aviation operations expertise
Industry collaboration
What we offer for regulatory & international organizations:
Aviation regulation
Safety standards
Certification frameworks