2018 Founder’s Innovation Prize Finalists Announced

July 17, 2018 - The Founder’s Innovation Prize judges have selected five finalists to present their solutions for lowering the in-flight loss-of-control accident rate in a Shark Tank-style program during An Evening with Innovators at Theater in the Woods on Tuesday evening, July 24.  The finalists will share their innovative ideas in front of the five judges and compete for a grand prize of $25,000.

Mike Vaccaro, EAA 152409, Chris Jones, EAA 670032, and Cecil Jones, EAA 255202

Niceville, Florida

“Enhanced Aural AOA Logic”

Jack Hohner, EAA 170715

Spokane, Washington

“Feel Flight Grip”

William Hinks, EAA 186485, Mark Spatz, EAA 1205192, and Naser Al Madi, EAA  1277056

Akron, Ohio

“An Angle-of-Attack Sensor in a Smartphone?”

Ken Hall, EAA 281118

Windsor, Colorado

“The Virtual Co-Pilot”

Ray Kwong, EAA 1250962, and Ray Bracy, EAA 1278116

Annapolis, Maryland

“Epic Optix”

Additionally, the judges selected two entries to receive an honorable mention:

George Leigh Scott, EAA 77232

Picton, Ontario, Canada

“Leading Edge Passive Disturbance Generators”

Warren Lacey, EAA 129997, and Christen Lacey, EAA 1121544

Anamosa, Iowa

“Not-O-Pilot”

Judges for the Founder’s Innovation Prize, presented by Airbus, include former space shuttle commander Charlie Precourt, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Eagle Flight Research Center Director Pat Anderson, former NTSB senior air safety investigator Gregory Feith, renowned civilian test pilot Dave Morss, and Van’s Aircraft founder and chief designer Dick “Van” VanGrunsven. In addition, Olga Custodio, the first Hispanic female to complete U.S. Air Force undergraduate pilot training, will emcee the event.

Come watch An Evening with Innovators – The Founder’s Innovation Prize on Tuesday night to find out who will win this year’s competition!