Alpha Wingman Pitch Contest: Shaping the Future of Business Aviation

The recent Alpha Wingman Pitch Contest brought together a diverse lineup of innovators and aviation enthusiasts, each presenting ideas to improve and advance the aviation industry. From enhancing safety measures to introducing efficiency-driven solutions, the contestants showcased impressive ingenuity and commitment to solving some of the industry’s most pressing challenges. Here’s a recap of the event:

Contest Highlights ?? Winner: LumiLor by Justin Sadeghian- Awarded $5,000 as the Alpha Wingman Pitch Contest Winner

LumiLor captured the top prize for its groundbreaking electroluminescent coating, a lighting solution that transforms ground safety and branding visibility. By using vibrant colors with low power requirements, Lumilor enhances visibility for ground crews in low-light conditions and provides a unique branding tool for airports and airlines. The innovative coating is lighter than traditional lighting systems, cutting down weight and power consumption—a feature the judges noted as a clear advantage in aviation environments.

Other Notable Pitches

Air Belt by: Daniel Shrader

Daniel Shrader’s Air Belt concept offers a modular conveyor belt solution that transports carry-on luggage from the gate to overhead compartments, minimizing human involvement and reducing airline turnaround times. With QR codes assigned to each bag, Air Belt’s automation improves boarding efficiency and helps airlines reclaim valuable time, an attractive prospect for the aviation industry.

Blu3Trace by: August Oo

Blu3Trace introduces an AI-driven platform that optimizes maintenance card evaluations for MRO facilities. By facilitating real-time data collection and reporting, Blu3Trace aims to address inefficiencies in maintenance, benefitting smaller MROs with limited resources. Its comprehensive and scalable platform also offers applications in other sectors, underscoring its broad potential impact.

40:31 by: Declan Daleiden

The 40:31 platform addresses mental health in the aviation industry with AI-powered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), peer support, and offline resources. Named after the biblical verse Isaiah 40:31, it’s designed to help aviation professionals manage burnout and anxiety, offering mental health support tailored to the unique pressures of the field.

Aloft Evermōr by: Mark W. Melby

Aloft Evermōr offers a maintenance planning tool that leverages AI to help small business jet departments manage long-term forecasting, budgeting, and quote coordination. Aimed at departments without dedicated maintenance staff, the app is a cost-effective tool for minimizing downtime and enhancing safety, bringing vital support to operators who need efficient maintenance solutions.

Milivate by: Justin Dal Colletto & Andrew Roper

Milivate’s SkillBridge management software streamlines the process of onboarding and hiring transitioning military talent, making it easier for companies to attract skilled veterans. By automating compliance, applicant tracking, and performance monitoring, Milivate addresses a pressing need in the hiring space, allowing businesses to efficiently tap into a highly trained workforce.

AV8 by: William Graves

AV8 provides an advanced polymer coating that extends the life of aircraft paint, protecting it from environmental wear. Certified by Boeing and Airbus, AV8’s coating reduces the need for frequent maintenance, saving operators costs on paint services while maintaining visual appeal. AV8’s formula is ideal for MRO providers and private jet owners seeking long-lasting, eco-friendly protection.

Special Presentation by: Antonio Ferrara | Aviators for Autism

We were honored to feature a Special Presentation by Antonio Ferrara, founder of Aviators for Autism. Aviators for Autism is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering greater inclusion and safety in aviation by exposing, educating, and empowering the Autism and Neurodiverse communities, along with their families. Through targeted programs and initiatives, Aviators for Autism bridges the gap between the Neurodivergent community and the aviation sector, creating opportunities that enhance accessibility, awareness, employment, and engagement for all. Thank you, Antonio, for sharing your vision and inspiring the aviation community!

Looking Ahead

The Alpha Wingman Pitch Contest highlighted not only incredible ideas but also the importance of fostering connections and mentorship in the aviation community. With such enthusiasm and support from participants and judges, Alpha Wingman is eager to continue this annual event, empowering aviation visionaries to pursue bold ideas.

A huge thank you to our judges Brent Wiggins, Stuart Illian, Suresh Narayanan, and Brett Logan—for sharing your expertise and guiding our contestants, and to our sponsors—Global Appearance Partners, WYVERN, and Stevens Aerospace—for your generous support. Your contributions helped make the Alpha Wingman Pitch Contest an inspiring success, fostering innovation and inclusivity in aviation. We couldn’t have done it without you!

For those who couldn’t attend, a recording of the competition will be available next week. Stay tuned, and get inspired by the future of aviation!