A team from South Dakota State University has secured first place in NASA’s fifth annual Gateways to Blue Skies Competition. This year’s event focused on addressing a critical aspect of U.S. aviation: aircraft maintenance.
The competition, titled RepAir: Advancing Aircraft Maintenance, challenged postsecondary student teams to devise innovative systems and practices aimed at enhancing commercial aircraft maintenance and repair operations by the year 2035. Sponsored by NASA’s University Innovation project within the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, the competition aligns with the agency’s goals of promoting pioneering research and cultivating the future aviation workforce.
“This year’s finalists presented groundbreaking concepts designed to equip companies and their employees with cutting-edge technologies to ensure our nation’s aircraft remain airworthy. This is particularly vital at a time when flight safety is under increased scrutiny and workforce shortages present both challenges and opportunities in aviation,” stated Steven Holz, associate project manager for NASA’s University Innovation Project and chair of the Gateways to Blue Skies judging panel. “Our panel of industry and subject matter experts were impressed by the potential of these ideas and provided valuable feedback for the teams to pursue real-world implementation.”
The winning project, WINGMAN, introduced augmented reality safety glasses. These glasses feature voice-controlled manuals, automated documentation, and photo recognition capabilities to assist aircraft mechanics during routine servicing and minor repairs. The WINGMAN system is designed to act as a mechanic’s virtual assistant, offering hands-free access to essential information and reporting tools for line inspections.
The WINGMAN team presented their findings alongside seven other finalists at the 2026 Gateways to Blue Skies Forum. The event took place on May 18 and 19 at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The forum’s judging panel comprised subject matter experts from NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, and industry leaders, including representatives from Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. Attendees had the opportunity to network with NASA and industry professionals, tour the research center, and explore potential career paths. The forum was livestreamed, and the presentations were recorded.
Members of the winning team will be offered internships at one of NASA’s four aeronautics research centers during the 2026-27 academic year. These centers include NASA Langley, NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, and NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
“Participating in Gateways to Blue Skies was incredibly exciting, especially with the truly innovative concepts presented this year,” said Owen Diede, WINGMAN team lead. “We are deeply grateful for the feedback and support from our faculty advisor, Dr. Todd Letcher, and our design review committee, Dr. Ruyi Lian and Dr. Cody Christensen. This experience provided a remarkable opportunity for learning and growth, and we are immensely thankful for it.”
Additional accolades were presented:
- Best Infographic: University of California, Irvine
Air Shield: Aircraft Structural Health Intelligence for Evaluation and Lifecycle Detection - Future Game-Changer: University of Georgia
Quasar: Quantum Sensing Aerial Reporting - Safety Spotlight: South Dakota State University
SPIDER (Surveying Platform and Inspection Device for Enclosed Regions)
The commercial aviation sector is a vital part of the U.S. economy but faces substantial hurdles due to a shortage of skilled maintenance personnel and increasing demands for extended aircraft operational lifespans. NASA is committed to collaborating with commercial, academic, and government partners to enhance the capabilities and performance of U.S. aviation.
The Gateways to Blue Skies Challenge is an initiative under the Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program within NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. The challenge is managed by the NASA Tournament Lab, part of the Prizes, Challenges, and Crowdsourcing Program in the Space Technology Mission Directorate, through the National Institute of Aerospace on behalf of NASA.
For further information on NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics
