The Smart Aviation Centre (SAC), jointly established by Beihang University and the French National Civil Aviation University (ENAC), serves as an innovation hub dedicated to high-level talent cultivation, cutting-edge scientific research, and global collaboration in the civil aviation field. Guided by the principle of "Safety as the baseline and Smartness as the focus," SAC focuses on advancing research and applications in low-altitude economy, smart civil aviation, and aviation safety.

In education, SAC supports the full academic system of the Sino-French Aeronautical Institute (ZFAI), offering undergraduate to doctoral programs with distinct civil aviation features. Through the Dassault 3DE-based Excellence Education Centre, over 20 specialized courses have been launched, emphasizing integrated digital engineering and intelligent system applications across smart operations, air traffic management, airport digital twins, and airworthiness certification.

In scientific research, SAC has established a comprehensive network of advanced laboratories, including the Aircraft Fleet Resilience & MRO Lab, Aviation Big Data Lab, Reliability Digital Twin Lab, Smart Air Route Planning Lab, and Virtual-Physical Integrated PHM System Lab. These facilities support interdisciplinary studies in digital twin modeling, intelligent maintenance, safety simulation, and smart airport operations, driving innovation across the aviation lifecycle.

In international collaboration, SAC maintains strong partnerships with Dassault Systèmes, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It has co-founded the Sino-Italian Joint Laboratory for Health Management and Intelligent Maintenance with Politecnico di Milano, promoting cross-border research and talent exchange.

Moreover, SAC organizes global events such as the International Summer School on Digital Twins and Aviation Safety and the Smart Civil Aviation Symposium, fostering an open, innovative, and globally connected research ecosystem.

With its multidisciplinary faculty, advanced digital infrastructure, and commitment to international cooperation, SAC is shaping the future of intelligent civil aviation and building a global innovation hub that bridges education, research, and industry integration.