GoFly announces Phase II winning teams at AeroTech Americas

2019-03-26 William Kucinski
The Boeing-sponsored contest is nearing its “Final Fly-Off.”
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Early today at AeroTech Americas – SAE International’s North America-based international aerospace congress – GoFly announced the five Phase II winners of the GoFly Prize for personal mobility vehicles. Each of the innovative winning teams, from the United States, Latvia, Russia, and the Netherlands, were awarded $50,000 in prizes.

The Phase II winners were selected by a panel of experts from a total of 31 teams from 16 countries. The teams were required to submit visual and written documentation detailing their physical prototypes. The physical prototype requirement, a first for the GoFly challenge, is the next step before the challenge’s “Final Fly-Off.”

“After much anticipation, we are excited to announce our Phase II winners and unveil their prototypes. The level of ingenuity and dedication from each of these competitors is truly impressive,” said GoFly CEO Gwen Lighter. “Each device is unique, revolutionizing the way we envision personal flight.”

 

 

The winning teams (in alphabetical order)

 

Aeroxo’s tilt-rotor ERA Aviabike, or “flying mototrcyle” concept, transitions from vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities to forward-facing propulsion for enhanced range and speed.

 

  • Dragonair Aviation | The United States

Dragonair Aviation’s Airboard 2.0 is a “multicopter” that positions the pilot on top of the vehicle, centered between propulsors.

 

Silverwing Personal Flight’s SI flying motorcycle concept design includes canard-wings and transitions between VTOL and horizontal cruise using two rotating, electrically-driven rotating ducted fans electric motors.

 

  • Texas A&M Harmony | The United States

Harmony’s Aria is a high-technical readiness level (TRL) compact rotorcraft designed to minimize noise and maximize efficiency, safety, reliability, and flight experience.

 

Trek Aerospace’s FlyKart2 is an electric, single-seat, multirotor, ducted-fan, VTOL aircraft designed to be inexpensive to build, own, and operate.

 

 

GoFly has been able to reach such a highly qualified group of competitors not only through the strength of its vision, but also through the support of its global network of sponsors. Partners include Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney, SAE International, as well as over twenty international aviation and innovation organizations.

“We’re inspired and excited to see the strong progress that GoFly competitors have made on their bold, creative designs,” said Boeing chief technology officer Greg Hyslop. “Their work confirms a principle that’s at the core of both Boeing and GoFly: aerospace innovation changes the world.”

”The GoFly competition sets itself apart in how it works to inspire the current and future generations of innovators aligning closely with our company’s mission,” said Geoff Hunt, senior vice president of Engineering of Pratt & Whitney. “Phase II has produced tremendous results, demonstrating what it means to be a leader in the industry. It is work like this that inspired Pratt & Whitney to create the Disruptor Award, and we look forward to meeting the contenders for that prize during the Final Fly-Off.“

Following the Phase II announcement, GoFly and its Teams will be preparing for the Final FlyOff, at which point innovators will put their personal flyers to the test, competing at a final event showcase and vying for the remaining $1.6 million USD in prizes.

 

Learn more

 

William Kucinski is content editor at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group in Warrendale, Pa. Previously, he worked as a writer at the NASA Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio and was responsible for writing the agency’s System Failure Case Studies. His interests include literally anything that has to do with space, past and present military aircraft, and propulsion technology.

Contact him regarding any article or collaboration ideas by e-mail at william.kucinski@sae.org.

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