Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington          July 26,2002
(Phone: 202/358-1979)

Ashlee Fiser 
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
(Phone: 757/864-6120 or 757/344-7211)

Tony Molinaro
FAA Great Lakes Region, Des Plaines, Ill.
(Phone: 847/294-7427)

RELEASE: 02-141

STUDENT AVIATION-DESIGN COMPETITION WINNERS NAMED

     NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
honored students from seven universities today as winners of 
the 2002 University Student Competition, an annual 
competition created to foster student interest in 
revolutionizing general aviation. Winning projects were 
recognized at an awards ceremony at the annual Experimental 
Aircraft Association's (EAA) AirVenture fly-in at Oshkosh, 
Wis.

Senior representatives from NASA's Langley Research Center, 
Hampton, Va., and the FAA presented the awards on behalf of 
NASA's Office of Aerospace Technology and the FAA. 

The nationwide competition is part of a government effort to 
stimulate technology breakthroughs and their application to 
general aviation. General aviation aircraft are generally 
defined as single- or twin-engine, single-pilot, fixed-wing 
aircraft. This year, students were challenged to pursue 
innovative systems and technology concepts in support of 
NASA's Small Aircraft Transportation Systems research 
program.

In the systems innovation category: 
*   Kansas State University's Department of Psychology, 
Manhattan, took first place for its advanced cockpit system. 
The team's design assists non-instrument-rated pilots to land 
in poor weather conditions by simplifying complex flight 
tasks. 

*   Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, tied for second 
place with George Mason University, Fairfax, Va. The Georgia 
team produced software that simulates a variety of travel 
situations, allowing travelers to choose options that best 
suit their needs. The Virginia team analyzed the potential 
for fractional ownership of small jets, and proved the 
concept is a practical alternative to current air travel.

*   An honorable mention went to a second team from George 
Mason University for its independent and ground-based air 
traffic management system.

In the technology innovation category:
*   University of Virginia's Engineering Department, 
Charlottesville, took first place for "Alaris," an aircraft 
concept that produced outstanding performance by combining a 
lightweight wing and body with a powerful turbofan engine.

*   A team from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, 
and Loughborough University, Leicestershire, United Kingdom, 
took second place. Their joint effort resulted in "Ikelos," a 
uniquely designed aircraft that allows very short takeoffs 
and landings. 

*   Third place went to Douglas Burch, an electrical 
engineering student from Ohio University, Athens, for his 
enhanced heads-up display for future aircraft. 

*   Honorable mention went to the University of Oklahoma, 
Norman, and two teams from Ohio University, Athens, for their 
innovative vehicle concepts.

All winners received a cash award, a commemorative trophy for 
their institutions and certificates of appreciation. Two 
students from the winning Kansas State University team were 
awarded internships, which they are serving at Langley this 
summer, in conjunction with the research center's Aerospace 
Research Summer Scholars program. 

The 2003 competition will be broadened to include a separate 
high school division and include categories beyond general 
aviation. The all-new Revolutionary Vehicle Concepts and 
Systems Competition will be sponsored by the NASA 
Headquarters Office of Aerospace Technology, Langley Research 
Center and Glenn Research Center, Cleveland. Langley's 
Vehicle Systems Technology Office will lead the effort. 
Details will be available Aug. 15 at:
http://avst.larc.nasa.gov

For images of this year's Technology Innovation winning 
designs, visit:
http://oea.larc.nasa.gov/news_rels/2002/images/designcomp.htm
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