Helicopter 2050 Challenge Drew Entries Nationally
Sikorsky Aircraft and By Kids For Kids Co., an organization that
inspires kids to be successful inventors, have awarded a California
teenager the Igor Sikorsky Youth Innovator Award for envisioning a
small unmanned helicopter that could carry critical relief supplies
and electrical power to the scene of a natural disaster or other
catastrophic event.
Tharon Trujillo Sikorsky Image
Tharon Trujillo, 15, of Plumas Lake, CA, accepted the award -- a
trophy and a $1,000 scholarship check -- during a company-paid
visit to Sikorsky's headquarters in Stratford, CT.
Accompanied by his parents, he toured the assembly line of
Sikorsky's iconic Black Hawk and Seahawk military helicopters, and
met with company rotorcraft designers and engineers.
The Igor Sikorsky Youth Innovator Award is the grand prize of a
new national competition called the Sikorsky Helicopter 2050
Challenge. Sponsored by Sikorsky and By Kids For Kids, the program
challenges youths ages 9-16 across the U.S. to envision the
helicopter of the future. This year's Helicopter 2050 Challenge ran
from June 1, 2011, to Sept. 15, 2011, generating entries from 243
youths.
Tharon calls his winning helicopter concept the F.L.E.A. -- for
Flying Logistics Electrical Assistance. As its name suggests, the
aircraft would be small -- the equivalent size of a two-person
helicopter -- but as an unmanned aircraft would have increased
capacity to carry two externally mounted five-foot-tall pods
containing provisions, medical supplies, power generation and
communications equipment. Once released on the ground, the pods
could be wheeled to specific locations. Pod-mounted cameras could
stream video of survivors and damage to emergency managers, and
could be used by virtual doctors to direct medical care at triage
stations. A computer would enable survivors or rescuers to upload
information to a database.
Tharon also envisions power generation inherent to the pod
design. Self charging fuel cells inside the pods doors would enable
survivors and first responders to generate electricity to power
lights and radios, and to recharge batteries and electronic
devices, such as cell phones. The pod also would serve as part of a
cellular communication network. "I came up with the idea for
F.L.E.A. because there have been a lot of natural disasters
happening in the world lately," said Tharon. "During those
disasters there was little communication or electricity to help
those in need. F.L.E.A. would help them to quickly get the
materials and help they need to survive." Tharon said he sees the
unmanned F.L.E.A. aircraft as an autonomous vehicle monitored by an
operator across a satellite data link. And like a hybrid car, the
aircraft would fly using a mix of aviation fuel and electricity
generated by onboard fuel cells.
Four judges (two each from Sikorsky and By Kids for Kids)
assessed the 15 finalists selected from the Helicopter 2050
Challenge, which was presented online, and via selected museums as
a summer education program. Judges scored each entry for concept
uniqueness, the fullness of the idea's description, and creativity
of presentation. "Tharon had a complete and very well thought out
entry," said Vern Van Fleet, a mechanical engineer at Sikorsky, who
helped judge the final 15. "He was very detailed and creative in
how he presented his concept with photos, sketches and ideas. His
entry made you understand how the concept could be useful."
As a 10th grader at Lindhurst High School, Olivehurst, CA,
Tharon enjoys hanging out with friends, playing basketball and
fishing. He would like to own a business when he is older and
to be a role model for kids to follow their entrepreneurial dreams.
"Youth and technology are two of the most powerful forces changing
our world," said Judy Bankowski, Vice President and Chief
Information Officer at Sikorsky. "I am amazed by the creativeness
of the entries, and excited that Sikorsky could give these kids the
opportunity to think outside the box and to visualize what might
actually be possible in another 40 years."
Sikorsky sponsored the Helicopter 2050 Challenge as part of its
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) program that inspires
kids to become engineers. Sikorsky and By Kids For Kids are
expected to repeat the Helicopter 2050 Challenge during the summer
of 2012.