News

05.01.26

Understanding Automation in the Train Cab

How does an active driving assistance system (AFAS) change the work of train drivers?Together with the Südostbahn (SOB), the Human Factors team (HF) at the ZHAW Center for Aviation (ZAV) is investigating how automation affects the situational…

11.12.25

Matura project – flight characteristics of a rocket

In the ZHAW wind tunnel, Sasha Asti succeeded in precisely determining the air resistance of his 3D-printed model rocket – and thus making astonishingly accurate flight predictions.

09.12.25

Matura Project in the ZHAW Wind Tunnel

In the ZHAW wind tunnel, Oskar Vestreli investigated how much the shape of a sail influences propulsive force as part of his high school thesis—and impressively demonstrated that geometry counts for more than surface area.

04.12.25

FlightPad: Augmented reality for more safety in the cockpit

The Centre for Aviation is developing the FlightPad, an augmented reality (AR) app that displays the planned flight path in three dimensions on a tablet.The solution is simple, cost-effective and designed specifically for general aviation. The aim…

20.10.25

BMS thesis in the wind tunnel

For their BMS thesis, students Jan Meschini, Jonas Zillig, and Timo Zuehlke developed an RC car with an innovative drive concept and a focus on aerodynamics. To test the effectiveness of their design, they were able to use the ZHAW wind tunnel in…

02.10.25

ZHAW research shows: Sustainable fuels significantly reduce soot emissions

An interdisciplinary team at ZHAW, together with partners from research and industry, investigated the emissions of a Pilatus PC-24 business jet. First results confirm the great potential of sustainable aviation fuels for a more environmentally…

29.09.25

ZHAW Strengthens CSA – New Impulses for Research and Innovation in Aviation

The Center for Space and Aviation Switzerland and Liechtenstein (CSA) gains a strategically important partner in ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences. ZHAW brings recognized expertise in aviation, engineering, and sustainable aviation, opening…

14.05.25

New nanoparticles found in aircraft exhaust

A multi-national research team from the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, and other institutions (hereinafter referred to as “our research team”) conducted emission…

06.03.25

Second place for Rolf Steinegger at the Swiss Indoor Free Flight Championships 2025

The Swiss Indoor Free Flight Modeling Championships took place in Balsthal on 22.02.2025. Our employee Rolf Steinegger achieved second place with his two best flights (out of a total of six attempts) with a total time of 23 minutes and 55…

06.03.25

LIDAR Flight Guidance – Obstacle Visualization on the Mobile Remote Pilot Station

Voxel Representation in Flight Testing: High-resolution LIDAR data is used to visualize obstacles, thereby enhancing the pilot's situational awareness.

06.03.25

SORA-Tool goes Europe

The SORA Tool now supports drone operators in submitting SORA applications in all member states of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This expansion marks a significant step towards the harmonisation of drone regulations across…

18.11.24

Matura thesis in the ZHAW wind tunnel

For his Matura thesis, Niklas Bürki had the opportunity to use the ZHAW wind tunnel in Winterthur for an experiment. He was introduced to the workings of the wind tunnel by research assistants and supported in carrying out the experiment. The wing…

13.11.24

eVTOL research: Collaboration between Aurora Swiss Aerospace and ZHAW

ZHAW and Aurora Swiss Aerospace are teaming up to elevate eVTOL aircraft research. Through the EU-funded Model-SI project, they’re using Aurora’s SKIRON-X eVTOL platform to validate advanced digital twin models, paving the way for cost-efficient…

13.11.24

Interview: Thousands of passenger flight signals jammed over war zones in Ukraine, Middle East

Interview by Raphael Monstein with Voice of America on the topic of jamming and spoofing GPS signals over conflict zones in Ukraine and the Middle East. Click here for the interview.

04.09.24

Flight Test Lab 2024 in Nordholz (Germany)

Aviation students from the ZHAW carried out a series of flight tests in Nordholz as part of the ‘Flight Test Lab’.

12.07.24

Primary school students explore the world of aviation at the ZHAW School of Engineering

Primary school pupils from the Exploratio programme at Winterthur schools visited the ALFA wind tunnel and the ReDSim research simulator at the Centre for Aviation.

06.06.24

Master students visited CAT Aviation

Master Studierende visited CAT Aviation at Zurich Airport.

13.05.24

Master Students Visit the Aviation Museum in in St. Gallen Altenrhein

MSE Aviation Master Students of the ZHAW visit the Aviation Museum in St. Gallen Altenrhein

18.04.24

Aviation Students Experience Air Traffic Control Up Close at Skyguide

During an excursion to Skyguide in Dübendorf, our aviation students had the unique opportunity to closely experience and explore the various aspects of air traffic control, which served as a practical example complementing the learning content of…

17.04.24

Aerodynamic Analysis of the VTOL from Dufour Aerospace AG in the Wind Tunnel

During a two-week wind tunnel campaign in the GST wind tunnel in Immenstaad (Germany), researchers from the Centre for Aviation have aerodynamically analysed the VTOL from Dufour Aerospace AG. The successful measurement campaign makes an important…