Photos: Flying on a wing and a battery

Damon Seeley designed this interface to show how a pilot of a future personal aircraft might see a virtual highway in the sky.

Seeley is the son of Brien Seeley, president of the CAFE (Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency) Foundation. The volunteer group began informally in the Seeley family's living room in Santa Rosa, Calif., more than 20 years ago. It has since become one of the most influential groups pushing the potential for personal aircraft.

In August, the organization will hold its second NASA-sponsored contest, which will award $300,000 for small, efficient, aircraft. A new green prize is in the works this year too.