Founder’s Innovation Prize Winners Wow FAA, Industry Safety Panel

October 26, 2017 - Two members of the three-person team that took away first place and $25,000 in EAA’s 2017 Founder’s Innovation Prize presented their winning solution to the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) in Washington, D.C., Monday. Thomas Baron, Maxwell Lord, and Justin Zhou won this year’s prize with their “Remora System” concept, which delivers critical flight information to the pilot through a head-mounted display. Baron and Zhou wowed the group of senior FAA officials and representatives of GA organizations who meet regularly to discuss GA safety metrics and accident prevention strategies.

“This year’s winners of the Founder’s Innovation Prize epitomize innovation and dedication to making general aviation safer,” said Sean Elliott, EAA vice president of advocacy and safety, who also acts as GAJSC’s industry co-chair. “This out-of-the-box thinking is exactly what we’re looking for with the Founder’s Innovation Prize.”

Baron and Zhou were also featured on the most recent installment of EAA’s The Green Dot podcast, in which the high school seniors detail how they convinced a panel of five expert judges at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 that their solution was the best out of dozens received. They plan to use the prize money to continue to develop the Remora System and prepare it for use by GA pilots.

More information on each of the five finalists in the 2017 Founder’s Innovation Prize can be found in the November issue of Sport Aviation. To submit an idea for the 2018 prize, visit www.EAA.org/prize. The Founder's Innovation Prize is presented by AIRBUS.