GoFly competition enters Phase II

GoFly, a Boeing Co.-sponsored competition, has staked $2 million in prize awards toward construction of a “safe, useful and thrilling” personal flying device. For those inspired to participate—either as new entries or as teams that completed Phase I—the registration deadline for Phase II is Dec. 8.

Up to four $50,000 awards will be made in Phase II, the modeling and building phase of the competition that emphasizes designs incorporating vertical takeoff and landing concepts, or ideas approximating VTOL. Teams vying for GoFly prizes will have until Feb. 6, 2019, to demonstrate progress toward development of “safe, quiet, ultra-compact, near-VTOL personal flying devices capable of flying twenty miles while carrying a single person.” Teams can submit an update of the written report they submitted in Phase I, in which 10 awards totaling $200,000 were issued for designs, or new teams can become GoFly competitors.

GoFly helps participants by providing access to “experienced Mentors and Masters in design, engineering, finance, law, and marketing,” although the emerging designs and functionality will come from the competitors themselves, said GoFly in September 2017 when the competition began. AOPA is a GoFly partner organization.

Phase II prizes will be awarded on March 28, 2019. According to the GoFly website, the competition is scheduled to culminate in Phase III’s final fly-off on Oct. 1, 2019, when four prizes will be awarded including a $1 million grand prize, a $250,000 prize for the quietest compliant device, a $250,000 prize for the smallest compliant device, and a $100,000 Pratt & Whitney Disruptor Award.

For more information visit the GoFly website.