Money from the Sky; Pipistrel Wins Big!

bydanjohnson

Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 08:16 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The inaugural Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) Challenge, sponsored by NASA and the CAFE Foundation, awarded $250,000 to stimulate innovation and efficiency in aviation.
The Pipistrel Virus, piloted by Michael Coates, was the top prize winner, taking home $160,000 across multiple categories including best overall, efficiency, and short runway performance.
Additional prizes were awarded to an RV-4 for noise and top speed, and a Cessna 172 for handling qualities.
The next PAV Challenge in 2008 will feature tougher standards and an increased prize fund of $300,000, contributing to NASA's $2 million commitment for the contest series.

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The next PAV Challenge will take place August 2-10, 2008 with tougher standards but even more dough: $300,000, part of $2 million NASA has put up for the contest series. I’ve been asked to help judge the 2008 event for the Editor’s Jury Prize of $50,000. Sounds like fun!

We’ve all heard the line: To make a small fortune in aviation, start with a big one. Yet thanks to Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency (CAFE) Foundation and NASA, the laws of gravity seem reversed. A Pipistrel Virus (say: “VeerUs”) went home from the Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) Challenge event with four checks totaling (are you ready for this!?): $160,000. The money represents the biggest share of $250,000 awared for this first year of five contest seasons. Australian pilot and LSA businessman Michael Coates flew a modified version of the Pipistrel Virus owned by Vance Turner (photo, on right) of Rescue, California. Lots more details are available; read the rest of the story. *** Virus, sibling of the motorglider Sinus. (“SeenUs”), took the best overall prize ($100,000); efficiency ($25,000); short runway ($25,000); and second place in the top speed prize ($10,000). An RV-4 took noise ($50,000) and top speed ($15,000) and a Cessna 172 won the $25,000 handling qualities prize. *** The PAV Challenge is one of seven NASA events aimed at stimulating rapid innovation and progress by offering substantial prize awards, kind of an X-Prize for efficiency.