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title challenge-title layout permalink challenge-id status sidenav card-image agency-logo tagline agency partners-non-federal total-prize-offered-cash type-of-challenge submission-start submission-end fiscal-year legal-authority challenge-manager challenge-manager-email point-of-contact description prizes rules judging how-to-enter
2022 FAA Challenge Smart Connected Aviation Student Competition
2022 FAA Challenge: Smart Connected Aviation Student Competition
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This year’s FAA Challenge focuses on Smart Connected Aviation, providing undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to design, build, and test smart technology that has the ability to improve traveler’s transportation experiences and the efficiency of the national aviation ecosystem.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
National Institute of Aerospace
$55,000
Software and apps
Ideas
Technology demonstration and hardware
Business plans
Analytics, visualizations, algorithms
2021/09/30 12:00 AM
2022/01/20 11:59 PM
FY22
Procurement Authority
Shannon Verstynen
The FAA is developing a vision for an info-centric National Airspace System (NAS) for 2035. Full connectivity will come from infrastructure supporting NAS operations that enable all systems to share data. With all types of devices connected to the Internet (known as the Internet of Things \[IoT]) and advances in wireless technology, nearly everything can be connected from nearly any location at any time. This ubiquitous system-to-system communication can be used to share location and intent information across vehicles, subsystems, and Air Traffic Management (ATM) stakeholders from airspace users to airports. Through improved filtering and presentation methods, this information and automation-based digital assistance will support human situational awareness. Autonomous systems can rely on this information, in concert with FAA-approved operating rules, to safely operate in the airspace. As technology advances, information systems will operate with a level of information assurance well beyond today’s levels. Advances in cybersecurity will assure information integrity between end systems across diverse infrastructure. Network diversity will help ensure reliability, continuity of operations, and sustainment of the advertised level of service. Cloud technologies (e.g., software-defined networking and network function virtualization) will enable dynamic configuration of applications and information resources to meet real-time demands of users and service suppliers. Armed with large amounts of collected, shared, and stored operational data (e.g., on flight paths, position, velocity, weather, infrastructure status, and airspace), systems will be able to construct actionable real-time recommendations, and increasing flight efficiency. Through the Smart Connected Aviation Student Competition, FAA seeks innovative ideas from the academic community that take advantage of a future info-centric NAS (including connected aircraft) that will benefit NAS users in the following four (4) categories: * Category 1: Commercial Air Transportation * Category 2: General Aviation * Category 3: Emerging Operations * Category 4: Traveling Public Teams should address one (1) of the four (4) categories. Descriptions of the user categories and potential submission topics are provided below: **Theme 1: Commercial Air Transportation** Commercial air transportation is defined as “transportation by air of passengers, cargo or mail for remuneration or hire.” This also includes airport ground operations, take-off, in-flight and landing. Technologies and systems that minimize ground wait times and reduce flight times through avoidance of weather and coordination with other connected aircraft are of interest. **Theme 2: General Aviation** General Aviation (GA)” is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as "all civil aviation operations other than scheduled air services and non-scheduled air transport operations for remuneration or hire". It includes recreational flying, pilot training, business aviation, agriculture applications, emergency medical services, law enforcement and firefighting, aerial photography and survey work, and sightseeing and air tours. GA typically use a separate general aviation terminal at an airport and are looking for many of the same benefits as the commercial/business traveler, but they would have specialized needs arising out of the classification of service listed above. Many are also pilots and would have interest in apps, technologies and systems that would make cockpit and air operations safer and more efficient. **Theme 3: Emerging Operations** Emerging aviation systems and users would include, but are not limited to, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) systems, Personal Air Vehicles (PAVs), as well as commercial space. Autonomous UAS will soon be ubiquitous and will have major on-going operations in package delivery, agriculture, surveying, law enforcement, security, etc. Approaches for safe integration of these systems into the NAS are of interest. Over 100 companies are currently developing electric air taxis to transport small numbers of passengers over short distances, primarily in urban areas. These systems are expected to evolve into integrated regional air mobility systems. Eventually most or all operations are expected to be autonomous. These systems would primarily operate out of new “vertiports” as well as existing airports. Smart connected aircraft technologies are essential for these systems to operate safely and efficiently. Companies are also developing PAVs that will enable individuals to travel almost anywhere from point-to-point rapidly. Technologies and systems to enable these operations, including “detect and avoid” systems, are also of interest. One of FAA’s major roles is to “efficiently integrate Commercial Space operations into the NAS to minimize impact on air travel and maximize safety.” Technologies and concepts to enable these systems to safely operate in the NAS are of interest. **Theme 4: Traveling Public** Commercial and business travelers travel nationally and internationally on scheduled commercial flights on large and regional aircraft that carry 20 to 500 passengers. In the future, they will also be traveling regionally on AAM and eVTOL systems. They are interested in getting from airport departure to airport arrival in a safe, convenient, comfortable, low-cost, and entertaining manner. This begins at airport departure and parking, through check-in, baggage pick-up, passing security, transport to/from the gate, and boarding/deplaning of the aircraft. Smart airport technologies that take advantage of IoT would be of interest. An additional area of interest may include inflight cabin activities e.g., systems that provide in-flight information and entertainment. Please Note: Submissions for all categories must incorporate solutions that ensure that diverse passenger populations (e.g., people with disabilities, seniors, children, international visitors) are able to benefit from the emerging technology. Submissions can include apps, technologies, business plans, subsystem designs, system designs, etc. Submissions should include a five (5) page paper with sufficient detail, diagrams, and references to provide a thorough explanation of how the concept would work and provide tangible benefits (described in the paper) to one of the four categories (1) Commercial Air Transportation, (2) General Aviation, (3) Emerging Operations or (4) Traveling Public. All submissions are due by January 20, 2022. A finalist will be selected in each of the categories and will present to a panel of judges at a technical symposium in Atlantic City, New Jersey in late June of 2022. Please carefully review the FAA Challenge website [https://faachallenge.nianet.org](https://faachallenge.nianet.org/) for updated competition details. Details for the FAA Challenge are subject to change. Teams who submit an Expression of Interest by the deadline will be notified of any and all changes, which will also be made available on the FAA Challenge FAQs website under a “Changes” section heading. **Key Dates** Submissions: The FAA Challenge competition will begin and submissions will be accepted between 12:00 AM September 30, 2021 and 11:59 PM ET January 20, 2022. Expression of Interest: Teams are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest to compete in this FAA Challenge by 11:59 PM ET October 15, 2021. Finalist Announcement: A panel of FAA judges will conduct an evaluation and select four finalist teams. Finalist teams will be announced in late February 2022. Technical Papers: Technical papers from finalist teams will be due in early May 2022. Demonstration and Awards Ceremony: Finalist teams will be invited to New Jersey to demonstrate their concepts in late June 2022.
**Total Cash Prize Pool** $55,000 **Prize Breakdown** Travel Reimbursement up to $6,000 will be awarded to each of the four finalist teams to help offset the cost of traveling to New Jersey to demonstrate their concepts. Four (4) $10,000 cash prizes will be offered – one (1) for each category winner. An additional $15,000 will be offered to the best overall submission. **Non-monetary Prizes** Student participants of each finalist team will receive certificates.
The 2022 FAA Challenge: Smart Connected Aviation Student Competition is open to teams of undergraduate and graduate students at accredited United States-based colleges and universities. Teams may include senior capstone students, clubs, and multi-university or multi-disciplinary students. Teams are encouraged to collaborate and work in concert with industry partners. See the challenge website for complete eligibility requirements, rules, terms, and conditions: <https://faachallenge.nianet.org/>. Teams that do not comply with the rules, terms and conditions listed on the challenge website may be disqualified.
**Judging Panel** The FAA Challenge Steering Committee, a panel of FAA subject matter experts, will evaluate, rate and rank submissions. After evaluating, rating, and ranking the submissions, the Steering Committee will select four finalist teams. **Judging Criteria** Decisions will be based on the following factors (All factors are important and will be considered. However, the Steering Committee will give the technical merit factor the most weight in the screening process.): technical merit, originality, impact, and practicality. For full evaluation criteria, please see the [Challenge website](https://faachallenge.nianet.org/).
**STEP I: Expression of Interest: Due by 11:59 PM ET on October 15, 2021** Academic institutions are strongly encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to compete prior to submitting entries. Teams who indicate interest by the stated deadline will be invited to participate in an exclusive Question and Answer (Q&A) Session with the Challenge program staff and judges prior to the proposal due date. EOIs must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on October 15, 2021 via an online form available at the FAA Challenge website [https://faachallenge.nianet.org](https://faachallenge.nianet.org/). The EOI is non-binding. The following information will be requested and is required to be submitted as part of the EOI: 1. Name of lead academic institution 2. Partnering industry or academic institutions (if any) 3. Name and contact information of faculty advisor from lead institution 4. Name and contact information for student team lead(s) 5. If applicable, name and contact information of each additional student/faculty/university/ industry advisor 6. Selected category (if known) 7. A synopsis of the concept, limited to 500 words, providing a high-level overview of the proposed project and impact of the related research **STEP II: Project Plan Proposals: Due on or before 11:59 PM ET on January 20, 2022** Submission packages must consist of the following elements submitted in the following order: 1. Cover Page * Title of Work * United States based lead university name (and any industry or academic partners) * Primary Faculty Advisor name (from lead university) and any additional faculty or industry advisors * List of Team Members with Academic Level (graduate or undergraduate) 2. Table of Contents with the following sections tabulated 3. Summary Statement – Not to exceed one (1) page 4. Problem Statement and Background – Not to exceed two (2) pages 5. Project Description – The project should consider the cutting-edge needs of the future info-centric NAS (including connected aircraft) that will benefit NAS users focusing on one (1) of the following four (4) categories: Commercial Air Transportation, General Aviation, Emerging Operations, and Traveling Public. The project should demonstrate a clear understanding of the issues surrounding the challenge as well as the current conditions and state-of-the-art approaches to seeking solutions. * Section I, include the following (Not to exceed five (5) pages) * Concept * Problem Solving Approach * Risk Assessment * Impact Statement * Section II, include the following * Demonstration Materials – Not to exceed 15 pages * Appendices – Not to exceed five (5) pages * Optional – Video/images/animations 6. Letter(s) * University Support Letter * Additional Supporting Letters Submissions must be transmitted electronically by 11:59 PM ET January 20, 2022 via the submission form found on the FAA Challenge website <https://faachallenge.nianet.org/>. Late submissions will result in disqualification. Any other form of submission may be rejected. The prize administrator will acknowledge receipt of submissions, may request supplemental information including supporting documents, more detailed contact information, and statements of authenticity to guarantee the originality of the work. The prize administrator and the Federal Government assume no responsibility for lost or untimely submissions for any reason. See the [Challenge website](https://faachallenge.nianet.org/) for complete submission requirements. **Submission URL or Email** Submission URL: <https://faachallenge.nianet.org/> Submission Email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Description

The FAA is developing a vision for an info-centric National Airspace System (NAS) for 2035. Full connectivity will come from infrastructure supporting NAS operations that enable all systems to share data. With all types of devices connected to the Internet (known as the Internet of Things [IoT]) and advances in wireless technology, nearly everything can be connected from nearly any location at any time. This ubiquitous system-to-system communication can be used to share location and intent information across vehicles, subsystems, and Air Traffic Management (ATM) stakeholders from airspace users to airports. Through improved filtering and presentation methods, this information and automation-based digital assistance will support human situational awareness. Autonomous systems can rely on this information, in concert with FAA-approved operating rules, to safely operate in the airspace.

As technology advances, information systems will operate with a level of information assurance well beyond today’s levels. Advances in cybersecurity will assure information integrity between end systems across diverse infrastructure. Network diversity will help ensure reliability, continuity of operations, and sustainment of the advertised level of service. Cloud technologies (e.g., software-defined networking and network function virtualization) will enable dynamic configuration of applications and information resources to meet real-time demands of users and service suppliers. Armed with large amounts of collected, shared, and stored operational data (e.g., on flight paths, position, velocity, weather, infrastructure status, and airspace), systems will be able to construct actionable real-time recommendations, and increasing flight efficiency.

Through the Smart Connected Aviation Student Competition, FAA seeks innovative ideas from the academic community that take advantage of a future info-centric NAS (including connected aircraft) that will benefit NAS users in the following four (4) categories:

  • Category 1: Commercial Air Transportation
  • Category 2: General Aviation
  • Category 3: Emerging Operations
  • Category 4: Traveling Public

Teams should address one (1) of the four (4) categories. Descriptions of the user categories and potential submission topics are provided below:

Theme 1: Commercial Air Transportation

Commercial air transportation is defined as “transportation by air of passengers, cargo or mail for remuneration or hire.” This also includes airport ground operations, take-off, in-flight and landing. Technologies and systems that minimize ground wait times and reduce flight times through avoidance of weather and coordination with other connected aircraft are of interest.

Theme 2: General Aviation

General Aviation (GA)” is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as "all civil aviation operations other than scheduled air services and non-scheduled air transport operations for remuneration or hire". It includes recreational flying, pilot training, business aviation, agriculture applications, emergency medical services, law enforcement and firefighting, aerial photography and survey work, and sightseeing and air tours. GA typically use a separate general aviation terminal at an airport and are looking for many of the same benefits as the commercial/business traveler, but they would have specialized needs arising out of the classification of service listed above. Many are also pilots and would have interest in apps, technologies and systems that would make cockpit and air operations safer and more efficient.

Theme 3: Emerging Operations

Emerging aviation systems and users would include, but are not limited to, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) systems, Personal Air Vehicles (PAVs), as well as commercial space. Autonomous UAS will soon be ubiquitous and will have major on-going operations in package delivery, agriculture, surveying, law enforcement, security, etc. Approaches for safe integration of these systems into the NAS are of interest. Over 100 companies are currently developing electric air taxis to transport small numbers of passengers over short distances, primarily in urban areas. These systems are expected to evolve into integrated regional air mobility systems. Eventually most or all operations are expected to be autonomous. These systems would primarily operate out of new “vertiports” as well as existing airports. Smart connected aircraft technologies are essential for these systems to operate safely and efficiently. Companies are also developing PAVs that will enable individuals to travel almost anywhere from point-to-point rapidly. Technologies and systems to enable these operations, including “detect and avoid” systems, are also of interest. One of FAA’s major roles is to “efficiently integrate Commercial Space operations into the NAS to minimize impact on air travel and maximize safety.” Technologies and concepts to enable these systems to safely operate in the NAS are of interest.

Theme 4: Traveling Public

Commercial and business travelers travel nationally and internationally on scheduled commercial flights on large and regional aircraft that carry 20 to 500 passengers. In the future, they will also be traveling regionally on AAM and eVTOL systems. They are interested in getting from airport departure to airport arrival in a safe, convenient, comfortable, low-cost, and entertaining manner. This begins at airport departure and parking, through check-in, baggage pick-up, passing security, transport to/from the gate, and boarding/deplaning of the aircraft. Smart airport technologies that take advantage of IoT would be of interest. An additional area of interest may include inflight cabin activities e.g., systems that provide in-flight information and entertainment.

Please Note: Submissions for all categories must incorporate solutions that ensure that diverse passenger populations (e.g., people with disabilities, seniors, children, international visitors) are able to benefit from the emerging technology.

Submissions can include apps, technologies, business plans, subsystem designs, system designs, etc. Submissions should include a five (5) page paper with sufficient detail, diagrams, and references to provide a thorough explanation of how the concept would work and provide tangible benefits (described in the paper) to one of the four categories (1) Commercial Air Transportation, (2) General Aviation, (3) Emerging Operations or (4) Traveling Public. All submissions are due by January 20, 2022. A finalist will be selected in each of the categories and will present to a panel of judges at a technical symposium in Atlantic City, New Jersey in late June of 2022.

Please carefully review the FAA Challenge website https://faachallenge.nianet.org for updated competition details. Details for the FAA Challenge are subject to change. Teams who submit an Expression of Interest by the deadline will be notified of any and all changes, which will also be made available on the FAA Challenge FAQs website under a “Changes” section heading.

Key Dates

Submissions: The FAA Challenge competition will begin and submissions will be accepted between 12:00 AM September 30, 2021 and 11:59 PM ET January 20, 2022.

Expression of Interest: Teams are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest to compete in this FAA Challenge by 11:59 PM ET October 15, 2021.

Finalist Announcement: A panel of FAA judges will conduct an evaluation and select four finalist teams. Finalist teams will be announced in late February 2022.

Technical Papers: Technical papers from finalist teams will be due in early May 2022.

Demonstration and Awards Ceremony: Finalist teams will be invited to New Jersey to demonstrate their concepts in late June 2022.

Prizes

Total Cash Prize Pool

$55,000

Prize Breakdown

Travel Reimbursement up to $6,000 will be awarded to each of the four finalist teams to help offset the cost of traveling to New Jersey to demonstrate their concepts. Four (4) $10,000 cash prizes will be offered – one (1) for each category winner. An additional $15,000 will be offered to the best overall submission.

Non-monetary Prizes

Student participants of each finalist team will receive certificates.

Rules

The 2022 FAA Challenge: Smart Connected Aviation Student Competition is open to teams of undergraduate and graduate students at accredited United States-based colleges and universities. Teams may include senior capstone students, clubs, and multi-university or multi-disciplinary students. Teams are encouraged to collaborate and work in concert with industry partners.

See the challenge website for complete eligibility requirements, rules, terms, and conditions: https://faachallenge.nianet.org/.

Teams that do not comply with the rules, terms and conditions listed on the challenge website may be disqualified.

Judging Criteria

Judging Panel

The FAA Challenge Steering Committee, a panel of FAA subject matter experts, will evaluate, rate and rank submissions. After evaluating, rating, and ranking the submissions, the Steering Committee will select four finalist teams.

Judging Criteria

Decisions will be based on the following factors (All factors are important and will be considered. However, the Steering Committee will give the technical merit factor the most weight in the screening process.): technical merit, originality, impact, and practicality. For full evaluation criteria, please see the Challenge website.

How to Enter

STEP I: Expression of Interest: Due by 11:59 PM ET on October 15, 2021

Academic institutions are strongly encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to compete prior to submitting entries. Teams who indicate interest by the stated deadline will be invited to participate in an exclusive Question and Answer (Q&A) Session with the Challenge program staff and judges prior to the proposal due date. EOIs must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on October 15, 2021 via an online form available at the FAA Challenge website https://faachallenge.nianet.org. The EOI is non-binding. The following information will be requested and is required to be submitted as part of the EOI:

  1. Name of lead academic institution
  2. Partnering industry or academic institutions (if any)
  3. Name and contact information of faculty advisor from lead institution
  4. Name and contact information for student team lead(s)
  5. If applicable, name and contact information of each additional student/faculty/university/ industry advisor
  6. Selected category (if known)
  7. A synopsis of the concept, limited to 500 words, providing a high-level overview of the proposed project and impact of the related research

STEP II: Project Plan Proposals: Due on or before 11:59 PM ET on January 20, 2022

Submission packages must consist of the following elements submitted in the following order:

  1. Cover Page
    • Title of Work
    • United States based lead university name (and any industry or academic partners)
    • Primary Faculty Advisor name (from lead university) and any additional faculty or industry advisors
    • List of Team Members with Academic Level (graduate or undergraduate)
  2. Table of Contents with the following sections tabulated
  3. Summary Statement – Not to exceed one (1) page
  4. Problem Statement and Background – Not to exceed two (2) pages
  5. Project Description – The project should consider the cutting-edge needs of the future info-centric NAS (including connected aircraft) that will benefit NAS users focusing on one (1) of the following four (4) categories: Commercial Air Transportation, General Aviation, Emerging Operations, and Traveling Public. The project should demonstrate a clear understanding of the issues surrounding the challenge as well as the current conditions and state-of-the-art approaches to seeking solutions.
    • Section I, include the following (Not to exceed five (5) pages)
      • Concept
      • Problem Solving Approach
      • Risk Assessment
      • Impact Statement
    • Section II, include the following
      • Demonstration Materials – Not to exceed 15 pages
      • Appendices – Not to exceed five (5) pages
      • Optional – Video/images/animations
  6. Letter(s)
    • University Support Letter
    • Additional Supporting Letters

Submissions must be transmitted electronically by 11:59 PM ET January 20, 2022 via the submission form found on the FAA Challenge website https://faachallenge.nianet.org/. Late submissions will result in disqualification. Any other form of submission may be rejected.

The prize administrator will acknowledge receipt of submissions, may request supplemental information including supporting documents, more detailed contact information, and statements of authenticity to guarantee the originality of the work. The prize administrator and the Federal Government assume no responsibility for lost or untimely submissions for any reason.

See the Challenge website for complete submission requirements.

Submission URL or Email

Submission URL: https://faachallenge.nianet.org/ Submission Email: [email protected]