2017 Founder’s Innovation Prize Judging Lineup Announced

June 1, 2017 - Noted experts from throughout the aviation world will judge the second year of the EAA Founder’s Innovation Prize, presented by Airbus, a competition that challenges EAA members to submit their best solutions to in-flight loss of control.

This year’s lineup includes:

Charlie Precourt – Former NASA astronaut who flew on four space shuttle missions, including two as shuttle commander. He is currently general manager of Orbital ATK’s Propulsion Systems Division and also chairs EAA’s safety committee.

Gregory Feith – Former NTSB senior air safety investigator and aviation safety expert, Feith’s notable investigations include Pan Am Flight 103, Swissair Flight 111, American Eagle Flight 4184, and ValuJet Flight 592. He was inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation in 2016.

Michael Goulian – Decorated aerobatic performer and Red Bull Air Race pilot, Goulian was the youngest pilot to win the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Championship at the age of 27. He is an Art Scholl and Bill Barber award recipient, as well as an International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Sword of Excellence recipient.

Dave Morss – One of the country’s preeminent civilian test pilots and air racers, Morss has tested hundreds of aircraft designs and also appeared on the TV series MythBusters as an expert on aircraft design and safety.

Dick VanGrunsven – Designer of the Van’s RV series of aircraft kits, which are the world’s most popular kit design with more than 9,000 completed aircraft now flying worldwide.

The top five finalists for this year’s competition will face the judges at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017 on Tuesday, July 25, in a Shark Tank-style program. The best concept will receive a $25,000 cash prize, with second place receiving $10,000, and third place receiving $5,000.