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National Aviation Leaders Convene to Discuss the Future of Flight

Texas A&M-Fort Worth’s Voices That Innovate Speaker Series, presented by PNC Bank, explores the innovations and partnerships driving advanced aviation

FORT WORTH, Texas – Texas A&M-Fort Worth will host The Future of Advanced Aviation as part of its Voices That Innovate Speaker Series, presented by PNC Bank. The event will bring together leaders from industry, higher education and government to discuss how advanced aviation is transforming research, workforce development and economic growth.

Hosted in partnership with the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies (CAAT),  the discussion will examine the innovations, research and workforce strategies driving advanced aviation while positioning North Texas as a national leader in the industry. From autonomous aircraft and uncrewed aircraft systems to next-generation aerospace technologies, panelists will explore what’s next for the future of flight.

The event will take place Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kimbell Art Museum Piano Pavilion in Fort Worth. Through the Voices That Innovate Speaker Series, Texas A&M-Fort Worth convenes leaders whose ideas, research and partnerships are advancing the industries that will define the future of North Texas.

“Texas A&M-Fort Worth was created to bring together higher education, research and industry to solve tomorrow’s challenges,” said Dr. Kim McCuistion, associate vice chancellor and director of Texas A&M-Fort Worth. “Advanced aviation is transforming how we move people and goods, conduct research and prepare the workforce. This conversation reflects our mission to convene leaders whose ideas and partnerships are helping advance the future of flight.”

The panel will feature leaders representing autonomous aviation, aerospace engineering, industry and applied research from Hillwood Aviation, Reliable Robotics, CAAT, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Autonomy Research Institute. Together, they will discuss the technologies, collaborations and workforce strategies driving the next generation of aviation.

“Advanced aviation depends on strong partnerships between industry, government and higher education,” said Michael Sanders, assistant vice president and executive director for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Autonomy Research Institute, which leads the Texas A&M University System’s Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies. “By bringing these leaders together, we’re accelerating innovation, strengthening research collaborations and preparing the workforce needed for one of the nation’s fastest-evolving industries.”

The discussion will begin at 6:30 p.m. following a networking reception at 5:30 p.m.

“PNC believes strong communities are built through collaboration and investments that expand opportunity,” said Dale Klose, Southwest Territory Executive, PNC Bank. “For more than a century, aviation has been part of Fort Worth’s history, and today we have an opportunity to ensure Fort Worth is just as important to the future of flight. By supporting the Voices That Innovate Speaker Series and bringing education, industry and government together, we can advance new ideas, build a skilled workforce and strengthen the economic vitality of North Texas.”

Registration is free and open to the public. Register online.

Written by:
Texas A&M University System Communications
Published on:
August 25, 2026

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