The competition was held Aug. 4-12 in Sonoma, Calif., promoting the use of self-operated, personal aircraft as a future solution to America's mobility needs.

Four teams competed for overall best performance and prizes for noise reduction, handling, efficiency, short takeoff, and top speed.

The award recipients were: Overall: $100,000: Vance Turner of Rescue, Calif., owner of a short-wing Pipistrel piloted by Michael Coates; Noise Reduction: $50,000: Dave and Diane Anders of Visalia, Calif., owners and pilots of a RV-4 aircraft; Handling: $25,000: John Rehn of Santa Rosa, Calif., owner of a Cessna 172 piloted by Jeff Stocks; CAFE Efficiency: $25,000: Vance Turner; Short Takeoff: $25,000: Vance Turner;

Top Speed First Prize: $15,000: Dave and Diane Anders, and Top Speed Second Prize: $10,000: Vance Turner.

The challenge will continue annually for four more years, with this year's competition establishing baselines for more difficult standards next year, when the total prize money will increase to $300,000.

The prize money provided by NASA for all five years totals $2 million.