We have been noticing, eventually, that the Green initiative to save our beloved planet earth is picking up globally. It is somewhat late, but I would agree to being late than sorry is still better. Computers, home electronics, vehicles, just about in every industry there is a new born phenomenon of going green. And my friends, General Aviation is also in the lead. Or at least, it has taken a lead role as of this year for sure.
The NASA Innovative Partnership Program, and the Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency Foundation (CAFE) have joined hands and announced the upcoming CAFE Green Flight Challenge at the EAA Airventure 2009. Teams from around the globe are welcome to participate in this competition scheduled to be held in June 2011 out of California’s Santa Rosa airport. Guess what the prize purse is? I guessed $100,000 when someone asked me this same question, just FYI.
The 1st prize winner will get a total of $1.5 million (USD) check in about 60 days after the announcement of the winner in competition results. The objective is to have a GA aircraft fly at least at 100 mph speed, and put out at least 200 passenger miles per gallon of gas demonstrated over a 200 mile distance flown. In other words, 100 mpg fuel burn for an aircraft equipped with 2 seats, with 2 pilots weighing at 200 pounds each.
Just in case, if there is not even a single competitor achieving this target, there is a consolation prize possibility, which amounts to $153,000. But I am sure there would be no need for the consolation prize. The early bird deadline to submit the application is Dec 31st, 2009, with an entry fee of $4000. The entry fee goes up after the early bird deadline.
So, what do you guys think? I am thinking of partnering up with a good friend of mine, who happens to be an excellent aerospace engineer and general aviation enthusiast and going at this. We both believe that we will achieve the minimum efficiency target with no problems. And we are already working on a plan of action now. And if you guys take it easy on us, who knows maybe we’ll just be able to easily bag the bounty all to ourselves. Or, you can try and make it a little bit of fun for us!
By the way, our plan includes..oh, not telling ya! See you at Santa Rosa airport in June of 2011. And you can click here to download the rules and application kit.
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