A Leading Innovation Hub
The Flight Deck
RCAF Innovation
NEW: Newsletter Issue 35
Who we are
Partnering for Excellence
Inspired by the open, collaborative and creatively designed working spaces, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has established "The Flight Deck” Innovation Lab at the Communitech Hub in Kitchener to push the limits of research and development.
Since November of 2016, we’ve helped the RCAF take their status to the next level by providing them with the tools and technology they need to turn excellent ideas into reality. Get in touch if you believe you have a disruptive idea with potential for growth and success.
What we do
Research and Development
We utilize the latest technology and software to explore and develop innovative solutions for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Industry
Engagement
We partner with start-ups, industry leaders, and academia in order to utilize the latest technologies and their capabilities.
Education Programs
We host basecamps to teach members of the RCAF the innovative mindset of agile, sprint and design thinking methodologies commonly practiced in the tech start-up industry.
Co-op
Program
Every 4 months, the Flight Deck recruits a new round of co-ops from the University of Waterloo. Business Developers, Full Stack Developers, and more. Interested? Apply on WaterlooWorks.
Alumni
Co-Op Testimonials
Joshua Oh
Full Stack Developer
This was my favourite co-op term!
I’m glad I had the opportunity to do software development at the project-level, with all the responsibility and stakes that come with it.
It’s been a valuable experience for understanding how web applications work and for software design in general.
I had a great team: the most technically competent team leader I’ve ever had and coworkers that I can call friends.
The Flight Deck space in Communitech rocks, and I wish I could have gone there more often.
Arista Mueller
Full Stack Developer
As much as I'm looking forward to the holiday break, I'm sad to be leaving the Flight Deck.
Working here for the past four months has been a fantastic experience, giving me many opportunities to learn and improve my skills. In particular, I've gotten a lot better at front end development and the many tools that are used in modern web applications.
Special thanks to everyone here who made the work term an enjoyable one. Best of luck to the co-ops next term!
Jessica Peter
Full Stack Developer
The past four months working as Full-Stack Developer at National Defence have been absolutely amazing!
One of my favourite tasks was developing all of the data models for the Maintainer.
It was exciting realizing just how impactful the work we have been doing is.
Overall, I’m so grateful I got the opportunity to work in this team. I learned so much about the challenges that come with developing a project from start to finish, and gained so many skills that I am excited to be able to use in the future.
Garret Tracey
Business Development Coordinator
Six months ago, in June, I was happily celebrating with my family because I had gotten the news that I had been accepted for this job come the fall term.
The opportunity to work with the Flight Deck did not disappoint.
I had the chance to see how the Flight Deck contributes to making the RCAF better through a variety of different projects, the biggest one being the Maintainer project.
Doing the user interviews gave me insight on just how impactful the project will be for the RCAF. I feel honoured and proud to have worked on meaningful projects over the past months.
