By Horst Schmidt-Bischoffshausen & Peter van Blyenburgh
FH Joanneum, University of Applied Sciences, Graz, Austria has been deeply affected by the sudden death of Bruno Wiesler, Head of the Aviation Institute and the Engineering Department, last week. His passing away is a great loss for the students, employees and colleagues at FH Joanneum who mourn the loss of a caring and committed teacher and colleague, who will forever serve as a role model thanks to his high level of enthusiasm and commitment.
Bruno Wiesler was born in Graz, Austria on 14 September 1960 and studied mechanical engineering at the Graz University of Technology. He started his professional career in 1987 as a research engineer with AVL List GmbH in Graz, and went on to work as a Sales Manager for AVL in Germany, returning to Graz in 1999 as Product Manager for Advanced Simulation Technologies, where he focused on fluid dynamic and thermodynamic simulation. Bruno Wiesler was responsible for numerous successful EU projects in this role. From 2006, he headed the Aviation Institute at FH Joanneum and developed it into an aviation training centre of European standing.
As Head of Institute, Bruno Wiesler made a key contribution to successfully positioning the Austrian aviation industry in Europe. Since starting work with FH Joanneum, he applied his visionary approach in pursuit of developing RPAS – a focal point of research at the Aviation Institute. Through his exceptional personal commitment, Bruno Wiesler was a significant driving force in establishing legal provisions in Austria for the use of civilian RPAS, and in numerous Austrian companies operating successfully in this field of business today. The JXP-V research RPAS developed by the Institute completed its first successful flight at Graz-Thalerhof airport in May 2013.
Bruno Wiesler saw the integration of research projects into teaching as a key factor for success to guarantee a high level of training. With his communicative and open manner and his high level of professional expertise, Bruno Wiesler helped to develop a Europe-wide network of aviation companies, industrial firms and interest groups. In May 2013, Bruno Wiesler explained his guiding principle: “The institute sees itself as a hub of information and a driving force for the economy. Based on a comprehensive approach, we cover sophisticated technology in teaching and research, as well as focusing on regulations, pilot training, business issues and missions”.
In addition to research, Bruno Wiesler also considered it important to generate enthusiasm for aviation in young people. As a driving force behind the EU projects FlyHigh and HÖHEN.FLUG, Wiesler instigated numerous cooperative agreements with schools and ran many workshops for school children.
In his role as Head of the Engineering Department, Bruno Wiesler played an active part in the change processes at FH Joanneum and worked for further networking and internationalization of ‘his’ department.
With his high level of enthusiasm, personal approach and commitment, Bruno Wiesler will always be remembered by the students, lecturers and colleagues at FH Joanneum, as well as UVS International. Our thoughts go out to his family and relatives at this very difficult time.