Finalists Chosen for 2017 Founder’s Innovation Prize

July 13, 2017 - After receiving dozens of submissions for the second year of EAA’s Founder’s Innovation Prize competition, the judges have selected five finalists to present their innovative solutions to in-flight loss of control at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017. These finalists will face the panel of judges in a Shark Tank-style showdown at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25 at Theater in the Woods for a $25,000 grand prize. The final five contestants, listed below, represent a variety of aviation and nonaviation backgrounds.

Colin Michael Foale, EAA 1040911

Seabroom, Texas

“Solar Pilot Guard”

Ethan Brodsky, EAA 1068330

Madison, Wisconsin

“Buzz Ball”

Thomas Baron, Maxwell Lord, and Justin Zhou, EAA 1193593, 1243563, and 1240872

Mclean, Virginia

“Remora System”

Henry Vos, EAA 1059312

Fairview, Alberta, Canada

“How to Not Fly”

Andrew Meyer, EAA 515043

Saint Joseph, Michigan

“Aural Cuing System”

The judging lineup consists of former space shuttle commander Charlie Precourt, aerobatic champion Michael Goulian, 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. Ideas will be judged based on cost and ease of installation or implementation and expected effectiveness in helping reduce the number of fatal loss-of-control accidents. Second and third place for the Founder’s Innovation Prize, presented by AIRBUS, will receive cash prizes of $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.

Come see who will be chosen as this year’s winner of EAA’s Founder’s Innovation Prize!