Have a good idea for improving aircraft safety—particularly in the homebuilt aircraft world? Loss of control is a key factor in both certified and homebuilt aircraft accidents. The Experimental Aircraft Association is starting a contest in a few months for the best safety ideas.
Prizes top out at $25,000, with lesser amounts for runners up. Any and all ideas are accepted, whether they concern the pilot, the design of the aircraft, or safety systems.
The contest was announced by EAA Vice President of Advocacy and Safety Sean Elliott and former astronaut and Orbital ATK Vice President Charlie Precourt. Precourt is vice president and general manager of propulsion systems in the company’s flight systems group.
This is not a one-year deal, Elliott said. It is hoped the contest can continue yearly. The first year's winners will receive their awards during EAA AirVenture 2016.
Precourt said home builders are known for innovation and contributed many of the safety improvements found in aircraft today. They can be equally inventive in the safety arena, he said.
Alton K. Marsh
Related Articles
