Story ID: 635
GoFly Presents One of Its Winning Teams
By: Mark Phelps
Caption: Team Leap took home one of 10 Phase 1 prizes, $20,000, provided by main sponsor Boeing
Word Count: 263
Following up on the earlier announcement that Pratt & Whitney has joined main sponsor Boeing as a supporter, the GoFly competition held a brief event on Tuesday at the United Technologies Farnborough Airshow chalet (Outdoor Exhibit 4). Representatives from both sponsor companies displayed the passion for the project that their companies are backing with their checkbooks—Boeing has committed $2 million; P&W, $100,000, so far. The mission is to use teamwork to design and build a personal flying device that can lift off vertically and safely carry a person for 20 miles without refueling or recharging.
The big stars of the show were three members of UK-based “Team Leap,” organized by team leader Bruno Howard and one of 10 winners of Phase 1, $20,000 awards for its Vantage five-rotor flying bike design. With a degree in mechanical engineering and experience in the field of venture capital, Howard met up with the other members of the team on a GoFly online forum. Also at the event were team members Jakob Howard (no relation), who is responsible for integrating the Vantage’s hybrid-electric powerplant and rotor drive system; and Nikhil Aggarwal, in charge of structural design.
Gwen Lighter, CEO of the GoFly project, said the effort started as an inspiration to bring youth and innovation into the industry. The project has grown to involve 3,000 participants from 95 countries. (Photo: Mark Phelps-AiN)
Team Leap and other contenders are set to launch Phase 2, with an eye toward flying a prototype of their designs and earning the next-level prize of $50,000 from Boeing.