For years we have been hearing about a labor shortage in aviation. As the industry grows, so does the need for pilots, cabin crew, mechanics, and technicians. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Foundation (AOPA) and Choose Aerospace are partnering to establish a formal agreement to help increase education opportunities so these jobs are filled.

According to AOPA, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed to create a means of collaboration to “identify curriculum alignment, jointly promote each other’s educational materials, and pursue grant-funding opportunities related to aviation.”

The MOU was put into place to share ideas, best practices, and training resources to help both organizations meet the ongoing and increasing demand for skilled aviation professionals.

• READ MORE: STEM Curriculum Now in 300 Schools Nationwide

“This agreement allows the AOPA Foundation and Choose Aerospace to collaborate more closely,” said Glenn Ponas, AOPA Foundation director of high school outreach. “Together, we will be able to provide our respective curricula and resources to school districts and career technical centers and support them in creating pathways to careers as pilots, drone pilots, and aviation maintenance technicians.”

The AOPA Foundation represents the organization’s philanthropic arm. The collaboration with Choose Aerospace is the first of multiple efforts from the foundation to document and coordinate aviation programs and resources.

The Process

The MOU includes a review of both the AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum and the Choose Aerospace Aviation Maintenance Curriculum.

Both groups play key roles in helping the industry meet its workforce demand by providing education, training, and employment pathways in the communities they serve.

“Aviation industry stakeholders recognize the need to invest resources and collaborate as part of developing a sustainable, diverse workforce,” said Ryan Goertzen, vice president of workforce development at AAR Corp. and president of Choose Aerospace. “The Choose Aerospace-AOPA Foundation partnership will help both organizations maximize their already-productive efforts to feed aerospaces workforce pipeline.”

There are plans to promote the curriculum through social media, newsletters, and joint presentations to schools and the aviation industry.

How Many Jobs Will There Be?

According to recent data from Boeing, there will be a need for 649,000 pilots, 690,000 technicians, and 938,000 cabin crewmembers over the next 20 years. The company also noted that domestic air travel is back to pre-pandemic levels, and international travel is also increasing again.

About the Groups

Choose Aerospace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partnership of aerospace stakeholders joined together to increase the availability of a diverse, qualified, technical workforce to support industry growth. The Choose Aerospace two-year AMT general prep course complements the AOPA Foundation drone and pilot pathways, enabling school districts that participate to create direct pathways to three in-demand aviation careers.

AOPA, established in 1939, is the world’s largest community of pilots, aircraft owners, and aviation enthusiasts. The association was created to provide advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels, and encourage flight training and aviation accessibility. The partnership will be introduced at the first AOPA Aviation and Aerospace Workforce Development Summit  at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport on November 12. The AOPA You Can Fly High School Aviation STEM Symposium will follow the summit on November 12 through 14. Both events are open to organizations that offer high school aviation curricula and resources.

The post AOPA, Choose Aerospace Target Worker Shortage appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

San Diego was the place to be last week for aviation educators as King Schools launched its Envision Flight Edu-Con Symposium.

The symposium was designed to be a way for educators and professionals nationwide to exchange ideas, share experiences, and delve into the world of aviation teaching and training for both pilots and mechanics.

Brian Hough, King Schools’ senior vice president of business development and sales, was the driving force behind Envision Flight Edu-Con at Coast Air Center at Montgomery Field (KMYF).

• READ MORE: Articles by Martha King

“Our vision for this event was to create a unique program that not only offered exceptional educational opportunities for our flight school and university customers, but also connected vendors with an outstanding customer base,” Hough said.

Among the distinguished speakers were King Schools co-chairmen John and Martha King, CEO Barry Knuttila, FAA-designated pilot examiners Mary Schu, vice president of marketing at Redbird Flight Training, and Josh Harnagel, and many other experts in their corner of aviation.

• READ MORE: Articles by John King

“The speakers addressed topics designed to give our customers better tools for operating their businesses better,” said John Dowd, vice president of marketing and public relations for King Schools.

If you missed the event, the individual speakers’ presentations can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQTup63Foj4RTaOw5qbIjfYWBBzgP3xo5

The event also served as a launchpad for the celebration of King Schools’ 50-year anniversary.

About King Schools

King Schools Inc. is recognized as an industry leader in aviation training media. John and Martha King have been teaching since 1975 when they flew around the country to instruct ground schools. 

By the 1980s, they embraced the growing video trend, creating video courses in a spare room of their home. 

Today, King Schools is known for thousands of video-based knowledge courses, from full-blown ground schools to short subject videos. Its reach is so great that it is difficult to find a pilot who hasn’t done at least part of their training utilizing a King product.

For more information visit https://KingSchools.com/EnvisionFlight.

The post King Schools Launches Envision Flight Edu-Con appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

School supplies can be very expensive, especially when they involve curriculum that addresses the sciences. United Airlines is stepping in by donating $1.25 million to DonorsChoose.org to fund aviation and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) projects across the country. 

How DonorsChoose.org Works

DonorsChoose.org, founded by a public high school teacher in New York in 2000, is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit. Since 2000, it has seen contributions of more than $1 billion to support some 2 million teacher requests for classroom resources and experiences. The teachers post a wish list of sorts on the website.

DonorsChoose ensures the integrity of funding by vetting all requests, purchasing each item, and shipping materials directly to verified teachers. The items needed range from book bins and cleaning supplies for classrooms to three-dimensional models and funding for field trips to STEM-appropriate locations.

According to United, the donations will focus on classrooms in the airline’s seven hub markets: Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Houston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York.

The remaining funds will be used over the next few months during a matching campaign to finance more aviation and STEM-focused projects. If teachers in the selected cities are interested in submitting a project to be considered for funding, they can visit donorschoose.org/teachers.

“United Airlines is helping classrooms launch into the new school year, with resources that will help aviation and STEM students thrive,” said Alix Guerrier, CEO of DonorsChoose. “Through this campaign, United Airlines is empowering youth who are tomorrow’s scientists, aviators, and engineers. This partnership will foster the beginnings of future careers.”

• READ MORE: Oklahoma Schools Celebrate Aviation-Focused STEM Curriculum

The hope is that the recipients of United Airlines’ support of STEM programs may grow up to work in the aerospace industry as engineers, pilots, maintenance technicians, or logistics personnel.

“Whether it’s using model planes to teach middle schoolers the dynamics of flight or taking a field trip to see how a simulator works, we’re proud to help teachers get the resources to inspire the next generation of aviators,” said Josh Earnest, United’s senior vice president and chief communications officer. “We’re proud to team up with DonorsChoose to support teachers who are doing incredible work and changing the lives of students around the country.”

The post United Donates $1.25 Million for School STEM Projects appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Wings Over the Rockies (WINGS), a Colorado-based nonprofit organization centered on the state’s air and space museum and dedicated to aviation education, has selected recipients for its 2023 scholarship cycle. 

A total of 22 Colorado students have been selected to receive 2023 WINGS’ flight training scholarships valued at either $8,000 or $12,000, based on their flight training experience, to pursue private pilot certification for single-engine airplanes.

The James C. Ray Foundation, a committed advocate for aviation education in Naples, Florida, provides the funding for these flight training scholarships, which WINGS disburses annually across Colorado. Over the past four years, WINGS has awarded 125 scholarships, amounting to $236,000, to aspiring pilots ages 15 to 18 who are eager to attain private pilot certification in gliders or single-engine airplanes. 

“Cultivating the next generation of private pilots is vital for the aviation industry’s continued success,” said John L. Barry, a retired Air Force major general who serves as president and CEO of WINGS. “We are honored to play a role in helping these dedicated and passionate students fulfill their aspirations. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the James C. Ray Foundation for enabling this scholarship program to benefit Colorado’s future aviators.”

READ MORE: Ray Foundation Propels New Pilots Into Aviation

The selection process for the WINGS flight training scholarship was rigorous, with more than 80 applications received. Each applicant underwent meticulous evaluation and interviews conducted by representatives from WINGS and its Captain Jeppesen Foundation. Upon selection, each scholarship recipient is assigned a mentor to provide guidance throughout their training journey, encompassing both flight hours and a comprehensive study regimen to facilitate their pilot certification.

To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must be Colorado residents and undertake their training through a state-based aviation business.

Editor’s Note: This story appeared originally on planeandpilotmag.com.

The post Colorado Students Soar with WINGS Over the Rockies Flight Training Scholarships appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

South Georgia Technical College (SGTC), located in Americus, Georgia, is celebrating 75 years of success in providing outstanding education and workforce development skills for individuals as well as businesses and industries in its home state and throughout the United States. The college offers more than 200 associate degree, diploma, and short-term technical certificate of credit programs, including aviation maintenance, avionics, and aircraft structural technology. 

“South Georgia Technical College is Georgia’s oldest aviation maintenance educational training facility and one of the oldest in North America,” said SGTC president Dr. John Watford. “Our college is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and aviation maintenance was one the original programs offered beginning in 1948. Over the past seven and a half decades, the college has graduated exceptional aviation maintenance technicians, including state and national SkillsUSA winners.”

In addition to the outstanding aviation maintenance technology program, SGTC has been ranked as the top community college in Georgia for the past four years by two different agencies. SGTC offers students the “complete college experience,” with nationally ranked academics, student activities, and intercollegiate athletics. SGTC is one of only two technical colleges in Georgia with on-campus housing and a full cafeteria.

 SGTC boasts a 100 percent job placement rate for graduates, including the aviation maintenance technology, avionics technology, and aircraft structural technology programs. The aviation maintenance programs can be completed in four to six semesters. Financial aid is available, including the HOPE Grant, HOPE Career Grant, and the Federal Pell Grant. SGTC is also an FAA-approved training and testing site. All SGTC aviation maintenance students receive the opportunity to take the FAA Airframe and Powerplant license exams upon graduation. SGTC aviation maintenance graduates are eligible to work anywhere in the United States with those licenses.

South Georgia Technical College aviation graduates are employed by Gulfstream Aerospace, Robins Air Force Base, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Thrush Aircraft, Pratt & Whitney, Lockheed Martin, Cessna, Maule Air, and other companies.

The SGTC aviation maintenance program classes are conducted in the 42,000-square-foot Griffin B. Bell Aerospace Center with five full-time instructors. Victoria Herron, an SGTC aviation maintenance technician graduate with more than 20 years of experience in education and the industry, serves as the lead instructor and department chair for the program.

New students are accepted in fall and spring semesters.

Beginning in fall 2023, the HOPE Grant will pay 100 percent of tuition costs for eligible Georgia residents. And since the aviation maintenance programs are classified as HOPE Career Grant programs (High Demand Industry), full-time students will receive an extra $500 to cover the cost of fees ($391). On-campus housing is available for $3,000 per semester for a double-occupancy room with a private bath. That fee includes 19 meals per week, Wi-Fi, and cable TV.

The cost of attendance at SGTC before financial aid is $100 per credit hour ($200 for out-of-state students), plus $391 in fees.  The college waives out-of-state fees for military families. Aviation maintenance students sign up for 15 to 18 hours per semester. SGTC only charges tuition for up to 15 credit hours per semester. Students who qualify for the HOPE Grant, HOPE Career Grant, or receive the full federal Pell Grant can attend at no personal cost as long as they maintain a 2.0 GPA. The college does not accept Stafford Loans, so students graduate debt-free.

In addition to the aviation programs, SGTC offers a number of other transportation-related programs, such as electric power generation, heavy equipment/diesel technology, commercial truck driving, high-performance engines/motorsports, automotive technology, and auto collision and repair. Other programs available include: welding and joining technology, drafting, precision machining and manufacturing, industrial electrical, electrical lineworker, industrial systems, and a wide array of business-related and medical programs. 

SGTC serves as the Southeastern Caterpillar Dealers College of Technology and the John Deere Agriculture Technology training facilities for the Southeastern U.S. Students in these two-year programs receive on-campus education and practical work experience from their sponsoring dealers, resulting in an associate degree.

For more information or to apply, visit the South Georgia Technical College website at www.southgatech.edu and click on “Apply Now.”

SGTC admissions director Candie Walters can be reached at cwalters@southgatech.edu or 229-931-2299. Herron can be reached at vherron@southgatech.edu or 229-931-2584. For other inquiries, text or email sgtc411@southgatech.edu

The post South Georgia Technical College Celebrating 75 Years of Success appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

There are so few female airline transport pilots (ATPs), you can fit them all on an Airbus A380. That’s a sobering statistical visualization from a release put out by I Hart Flying Foundation (IHFF) and Girls Love to Fly (GLTF), announcing their scholarship partnership dedicated to providing support for women and girls interested in flight training and aviation careers. 

As the aviation industry grows and diversifies, more opportunities are becoming available for women and girls who aspire to fly. However, barriers such as high training costs and gender biases persist, and women still represent less than 5 percent of all current ATP certificate holders, according to 2022 statistics released by the FAA. 

To help address these challenges, IHFF and GLTF, both non-profit organizations, have joined forces to launch the “All Hands on Deck” scholarship opportunity to support female flight training. The initiative presages IHFF’s multi-year program, the Hart Aviation Nation Delivers Campaign, announced in 2022, which aims to help bridge the gender gap in aviation.

• READ MORE: I Hart Flying Scholarship Program Pays It Forward

The total funds available from both organizations exceed $18,000 in flight training scholarships and flight training swag. Each organization is hosting an independent online scholarship application with its own set of scholarship requirements. The scholarships are expected to range between $2,500 to $5,000 per award. IHFF is offering perks like King Schools training packages, gift certificates, and pilot attire; GLTF is including ground school funding with Flight Apprentice and a branded “‘pilot’ swag pack.” 

Since 2017, the two organizations have awarded more than $300,000 combined in scholarship funding, flight simulation, supplies, and ground school training to more than 50 female pilots. 

“With aviation as my true love, it’s important to have community in this industry, it can be challenging to soar on your own,” said Jamie Lou Waterhouse, founder of Girls Love to Fly, in the release. “The need for aviation community and mentorship is the ‘why’ I established Girls Love to Fly and discover strategic ways to collaborate for the common good.”

• READ MORE: Scholarships Target Aviation Gender Gap

Applicants can visit the IHFF and GLTF websites to get the respective rules and apply. Each organization has a scholarship selection committee that will review applications. 

The application deadline is April 28, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. PST. Winners will be announced on “Flying Friday,” May 12. 

The post Dual-Scholarship Opportunity Aims to ‘Diversify the Skies’ appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

At university aviation programs across the U.S., demand is high for coveted slots in the training programs that will launch a student’s quest for a career as a professional pilot. Both regional and major airlines continue to see pilot shortages, and for these students, graduating from a recognized four-year university program is a preferred method to get that airline interview and eventual employment as a first officer.

At Purdue University’s School of Aviation & Transportation Technology (SATT)—where they had 100 flight slots available for the current school year—the program had more than 1,000 applicants. For the coming academic year, the number of applicants has already surpassed 1,400, according to Mike Suckow, Purdue’s associate head for engagement and professor of practice for the SATT. Before the first book is cracked or the propellers start spinning, competition is fierce to just become accepted in the program.

While all of the students accepted into the Purdue program have been vetted and are considered top candidates, among this group are some “exceptional” students who demonstrate a higher level of personal habits that places them in the top tier of their class and positions them well for becoming successful leaders as they continue their professional pilot career with a Part 121 airline, as an air cargo pilot, or with a charter operator.

• READ MORE: FLYING’s Flight School Guide

And while this article will focus on professional pilot students, Purdue’s SATT covers four degree areas: professional flight, aeronautical engineering technology (which encompasses the A&P), aviation management, and unmanned aerial systems. There are 350 flight students flying a fleet consisting of Piper Archers, Arrows, and Seminoles, plus numerous simulators for Boeing 737-800 NG, Airbus A320, Hawker 900XP, and Piper Archer.

The University’s Degree Program

In addition to the general university subjects, the flight-specific progression is to earn the private pilot certificate in the first semester, and instrument rating in the second semester, with the third and fourth semesters consisting of earning the commercial pilot certificate. Students then earn their multiengine rating in either the summer or during a fifth semester. 

If students acquire their CFI, they are given the opportunity to instruct and build hours through the next three semesters while they move into their turbine transition phase of their degree using the program’s turbine flight simulators.

“A typical student graduates with their [private, instrument, commercial, multiengine, and CFI] and between 400 to 600 hours,” Suckow said. “and approximately 50 hours of advanced turbine jet simulation. Typical interviews start around the 750-hour mark for major airlines, sooner for regionals.”

‘Exceptional’ Students 

It is commonly known that earning a four-year university degree of any kind puts tremendous schedule demands on students. When you add in flight training on top of that, it leaves little wiggle room for error. How do exceptional students manage their life to stay on top of their game?

“Excellent time management skills and focus is the secret sauce for the top performing students,” Suckow explains. “These top students are able to balance their personal lives with their educational goals and needs. This means that when they are flight training, they are 100 percent focused on the lesson and the instruction, and not worrying about the next class assignment. The best of the best can partition the ‘here and now’ from their other obligations and distractions.”

Suckow adds that “it is obvious when a flight student does not show up prepared and expects the instructor to walk them through the lesson. The best students are self-advocates and demonstrate superior self-reflection skills, meaning they have exceptional ownership of their learning.”

Leadership Extends Beyond Flying 

The top students in Purdue’s flight program all share similar traits, Suckow said. These include impeccable time management, a strong work ethic, dedicated engagement in learning, maintaining a balanced campus life, the ability to focus, and they are generally leaders in clubs or student organizations.

“These exceptional students carry these traits on into their career,” says Suckow. “Time has shown us how these students quickly move to becoming decision makers. Based on feedback from industry, these are the traits and attributes they are looking for to join their organization in addition—of course—to possessing strong stick and rudder skills.”

Suckow adds that leadership is a natural trait among these students, along with a willingness to try new things. “Peer pressure can be a challenge in this age range, and the exceptional performers are able to maintain a balanced legal, moral, and ethical framework and perspective,” he says. “These students manage their distractions and schedule their time when there are limited resources to complete a plan of study, and do not have the expectation that the system will bend to accommodate their loss of focus. Exceptional students do not cancel flight slots, they come in prepared so each lesson is set up for maximum learning and practice.”

All exceptional flight students need to do is show up prepared and perform each task with precision. If they stay at it for the duration of their time at university, graduates will be well-positioned to enjoy a long, lucrative career that could very well eventually culminate with a high-salary captain’s position with a major operator.

Unlike many other types of university degree programs where marginal students can sometimes “fake it ’til they make it,” professional flight students at the collegiate level must continuously demonstrate their competency through FAA check rides and written exams. Success depends on exemplary work both in the classroom and on the flight deck, and slackers need not apply. 

The post Top Habits of Exceptional University Pro Pilot Students appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

When most people think of the state of North Dakota, images of vast open prairies and acres of farmland stretching to the horizon come to mind. 

They might know that the state is home to the National Buffalo Museum or have even visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park. What might not come to mind—unless you are knowledgeable about university aviation programs—is the huge fleet of airplanes and rotorcraft operating under University of North Dakota (UND) livery from Grand Forks International Airport (KGFK).

Jeremy Roesler, the chief flight instructor, airplane, and associate director of flight operations at UND’s John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, said it is not uncommon for people to underestimate the size and scope of UND’s flight operations at KGFK.

“When people hear that the University of North Dakota is located in Grand Forks, they usually stereotype the program thinking we are a small program in the middle of nowhere. That is far from the truth. In fact, UND conducted over 125,000 hours of flight and ATD training in FY 2022. So far in calendar year 2022 (based on ATC stats posted through the end of October), KGFK was the 25th busiest airport overall and the busiest Class D airspace in the nation,” Roesler said.

The UND Ramp 

If you like the sight of an airport ramp area overflowing with general aviation airplanes and helicopters, UND’s operation at KGFK will make you smile. Parked in every available spot are 68 Piper Archers, 15 Piper Seminoles, a pair of ACA Super Decathlons, a trio of Cessna 150s, one Cessna 172S, a Beechcraft King Air, and a Cubcrafters Top Cub.

Roesler pointed out that these numbers only represent the fleet at KGFK and not the university’s satellite site in Phoenix, Arizona. While both sites operate independently, fleet management and the Part 145 repair station operate together, he said.

UND also does a substantial amount of rotorcraft instruction using five Robinson R44 Cadets, which replaced several other helicopters in the program.

“We first brought in the R44 Cadet in 2017 to replace the aging and expensive Bell 206 fleet for instrument training,” said Wes Van Dell, chief flight instructor for helicopters. “The R44 offered the latest glass cockpit technology and was 50 percent faster than the Schweizer 300’s, allowing it to keep up with the fixed wing traffic in the instrument pattern. At half the price of the Bell 206, once integrated into our fleet, we realized that we could operate the R44 for nearly the same price as the H300s as well. It also almost doubled our dispatch reliability over the older aircraft due to Robinson’s simplified maintenance requirements. That led to our decision to replace all of our rotorcraft with the R44 Cadet.”

Van Dell added that “the R44 is still the most popular piston helicopter in the world and is used for commercial operations from tours to police and electronic news gathering. Many of our students have gone on to fly the R44 for their first commercial job post-UND, and having that R44 experience is invaluable in the hiring process,” he said. 

Simulated Flying at UND

“Virtual Reality Training Devices are an area that is changing fast,” explains Roesler. “UND currently offers six VR devices that are coupled with flight controls to fly an airplane or helicopter. Students can fly a Piper Archer in VR and practice all of the various maneuvers and procedures. Researching and learning the capabilities of this type of training is an active area,” he said. 

Could this type of training be part of future FAA training regulations allowing the time to count toward certification? “Someday,” Roesler answered. “Right now, we utilize VR training as an optional resource for our students, and they have been used to supplement the student’s training.  Students having trouble with a certain aspect of flight training can use the VR devices to help practice.”

Along with the nine Frasca AATDs set up as Piper Archers, UND Grand Forks also offers a Frasca CRJ-200 FTD Training Device and a new ALSIM Airliner Training system. Of the ALSIM simulator, Matt Opsahl, assistant chief CFI (ATD/FTD Training) said, “We are excited for the next chapter of flight training at UND Aerospace. The ALSIM advanced, mid-size jet simulator will give students the upper hand in all aspects of their flight training before they head out for their careers. Being at the forefront of worldwide flight training, this was a logical addition for UND and our students. UND will begin using this device in the January 2023 semester,” he said.

Standardized Avionics 

Roesler said that he feels the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite is “without a doubt the best integrated flight deck for collegiate aviation,” and the school strongly believes in having a standardized fleet. “Having the Garmin G1000 NXi in both the Archers and Seminoles allows our students to transition to the Seminole multiengine trainer very easily,” Roesler explained. “Our students are exposed to a full glass cockpit experience because our program is based on training tomorrow’s pilots for the airlines and private/corporate flight operations. The G1000 NXi suite helps to prepare our students for those advanced operations,” he said.

More Than Just Learning To Fly

Roesler said UND typically has about 1,400 students on the flight schedule throughout the semester. And while they do indeed learn to fly, UND Associate Dean Dr. Elizabeth Bjerke explains that the program focuses on much more than just flying airplanes.

“The interest of young people wanting to study aviation is continuously increasing, which is great to see,” Bjerke said. “However, as a flight training program, we can only accept the number of new students that we can effectively train in a given year. Our application window for the Fall 2023 start date was open from August 1, 2022, to November 1, 2022. During that time frame, we received well over 1,000 applications for our flight degree programs and will only be able to accept roughly 65 percent of those that applied. This does make it a competitive process for admittance to the flight training program. However, this is a very cyclical industry, so as we see demand for flight training increasing at the present, we also know that it may simply take a turn in the economy or other outside factors to change this demand overnight.”

Bjerke explained that if students aren’t afraid to work hard and have a passion for aviation, they will excel on the UND campus outside of the flight line. 

“For example, we have over 30 Division I student-athletes in our program, and over 30 percent of our marching band is made up of aviation students. We also have students actively involved in the over 200 student organizations our campus supports, including ones focused on aviation, such as our Women in Aviation, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, APLA ACE, and National Gay Pilot Association UND Chapters. Our aim is to graduate students who are more than just a pilot, but also an aspiring aviation professional that has acquired skills outside of the classroom in regards to leadership, teamwork, communication, and a desire to give back to their community,” she said. 

The post UND’s Hardware Keeps Aviation Students Flying High appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Redbird Flight and Avemco Aviation Insurance are partnering to incentivize pilot proficiency training that includes the Redbird Pro app in 2023. Pilots who use the app in their training can access discounted rates for Avemco insurance and for a Redbird Pro app subscription.

The Redbird Pro app is designed to assess pilot knowledge and tailor training options through artificial intelligence to help them improve their weak points. The app utilizes articles, simulator scenarios, and quizzes as training tools. 

Many of the training scenarios are drawn from I.L.A.F.F.T. and Chart Wise content from FLYING Magazine. It also incorporates content from the AOPA Safety Institute. 

• Read More: Redbird Flight Simulations Demos Redbird Pro Proficiency App

Avemco customers using the Redbird Pro app in their training could be eligible to receive up to 10 percent discounts on their annual premiums, through the Avemco Safety Rewards Program. In turn, Avemco customers are eligible to receive a 20 percent discount on their Redbird Pro subscription, which is available with both visual and instrument flight rules plans. 

“At Avemco, we believe strongly in the value of flight simulators in the ongoing training of pilots,” Marci Veronie, senior vice president of sales and marketing, said in a statement. “Avemco policyholders who continue their training using Redbird Pro can qualify for Safety Rewards credits on their annual insurance premiums.”

• READ MORE: Aircraft Insurance: How to Keep Your Rates as Low as Possible

The post Avemco Insurance Offers Discounts for Redbird Pro Use appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Shortly after World War I, returning service members sought a way to advance their aviation skills while attending colleges and universities. The National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) was created to offer pilots an opportunity to demonstrate their skills through friendly competition.

In addition to helping collegiate aviators expand their flying skills, NIFA allows these pilots to further their careers by networking with industry officials and demonstrating their willingness and ability to go above and beyond the regular curriculum.

• READ MORE: Top Five Challenges of University Flight Students

The organization has grown over the decades, and now select members of NIFA attend the Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON). This year, SAFECON 2023 will be held in May in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

In May 2022, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott won the NIFA SAFECON national championship for the second consecutive year at the Ohio State University Airport (KOSU). The win marked the 14th time the school won the top title.

• READ MORE: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Captures 2022 NIFA SAFECON Championship

Following the SAFECON 2022-23 regional competition season, NIFA announced it is inviting the following colleges and universities to compete at the National SAFECON 2023:

Region 1

• United States Air Force Academy
• Utah State University
• Metro State University of Denver
• Aims Community College

Region 2

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Prescott
• California Aeronautical University
• San Jose State University

Region 3

• Western Michigan University
• Ohio State University
• Kent State University

Region 4

• LeTourneau University
• Oklahoma State University 
• Southeastern Oklahoma State University
• Louisiana Tech University

Region 6

• University of North Dakota
• University of Nebraska – Omaha
• Minnesota State University – Mankato
• Kansas State University
• University of Central Missouri

Region 7

• Bridgewater State University
• United States Military Academy

Region 8

• Southern Illinois University
• Purdue University
• Lewis University

Region 9

• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona
• Auburn University
• Polk State College

Region 10

• Liberty University
• Averett University
• United States Naval Academy

The post NIFA Unveils SAFECON 2023 Invitee List appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Ask anyone who has ever learned to fly, and they will tell you that along the way, certain challenges slowed progress, and sometimes even threatened to bring forward progress to a screeching halt. When this happens, it is the job of the flight instructor to devise methods to get the student over that hump, so to speak, so they can continue training and complete their certification effort.

Teaching flight students in university flight programs is no different, says Claire Key, who was LeTourneau University’s (LETU) assistant chief flight instructor until August 2022, and now a check instructor and an adjunct professor in the Flight Science department, along with currently flying as a King Air 350 first officer with WheelsUp.

• READ MORE: FLYING’s Flight School Guide

“One of the hallmarks of an education at LETU is that it’s a tight-knit community where students have a lot of support, both from faculty and staff as well as their peers,” Key said. “Each student enrolled in flight has an instructor who is assigned specifically to them for each curriculum, as well as just a few other students. This lets them build rapport and allows the instructor to tailor their training to them. In addition, new students have peer advisors, as well as academic advisors who help them socially and academically. We also have a training review process that flags any students who may be struggling with a flight course and pairs them with an experienced instructor who takes them through a clinic of sorts to work through their specific challenges. This ensures no one falls through the cracks and keeps us thinking outside the box to tailor training to individual students.”

Key submitted her list of what she feels are the top five challenges LETU’s flight students confront, and on many occasions, she’s had to put in the work to make sure her students make it past these tough phases of instruction so they can stay focused on graduation. Key also shared how she gets her students past these temporary setbacks.

1. Maintaining Motivation

“Flight training is a sprint, not a marathon,” Key said. “There are inevitably going to be challenges that arise along the journey to becoming a commercial pilot, such as weather, family issues, or illness. The number one way we try to help students with this issue is by dividing everything up into small achievable goals. So rather than focusing on the big task of getting an instrument rating in a semester, an instructor can divide the task into different stages and different lessons in that stage. Dividing this large segment of training into more manageable parts helps students remember that they are making steady and consistent progress towards their goals.”

Key added that at the end of each lesson, LETU’s instructors ask students to fill out a self-evaluation where they answer questions to state what went well, what needs work, and list some of the things they learned. “It’s crucial to celebrate their wins and remind them of the progress they have made. This teaches them that they can do it!” she said.

2. Switching Airframes While Maintaining Proficiency

“Throughout the course of becoming a commercial pilot, most students will eventually have to transition to new airplanes,” Key said. “At LETU, students learn to fly three. These transitions can be a real hurdle for students as it can feel like they are starting over in some sense.”

The way LETU’s CFIs (and many others) overcome this challenge is to be very intentional at the beginning of a student’s training about the idea that for any desired performance, such as a Vy climb, there is a corresponding pitch attitude and power setting. 

“This gives students the tools they need to jump into any airplane and start flying!” Key said. “For example, in the C172S [Cessna 172 Skyhawk], a student says they want to do a Vy climb at 74 kias. They set full power and hunt for a pitch that will give them that speed. When they find a pitch attitude that yields the desired performance, we ask them to take a mental picture, or even a real one, with their cell phone at eye level, to remember what it looks like. Now instead of ‘learning how to fly a Skyhawk,’ they can move into a new airframe with the confidence that they already know how to fly an airplane, but with a mission to find new pitch attitudes. 

“Being consistent from the beginning of a student’s training by teaching the foundational concept of ‘pitch plus power equals performance’ is how we can give students the skills they need to transition from airframe to airframe while maintaining excellent flight basics,” Key said.

3. Crosswind Landings

Like most CFIs, Key says landings are one of the toughest things for a student to master. She calls this the “landing plateau,” where a pre-solo student’s landings are close but not quite ready to be done on their own without any instructor assistance.

At LETU, the way instructors deal with this is through tailwheel training.

“For landings, we think this provides an advantage to a student, as they are sitting right on the centerline, and get quick and responsive feedback from the plane if they make a mistake,” Key said. “Another way we help students through the ‘landing plateau’ starts on the taxi out. We teach them to taxi out on centerline, and from there, we add in crosswind correction on the taxi. All that’s missing is the flare. Taking advantage of every small opportunity to practice different components of the landing throughout the flight helps students gain meaningful experiences that helps them put all the pieces together when it comes time for the real thing!”

4. Developing Sound Aeronautical Decision Making

“Aeronautical decision making (ADM) is another area that challenges students,” Key said. “It is common to get bogged down by the demands of a flight situation and fall into hazardous attitudes such as resignation or impulsivity. How we help students improve their ADM is through the use of ‘scenario-based’ training. Right from the beginning, we incorporate different scenarios into a student’s training so that they are flexing this muscle and gathering tools for how to respond in a real-world scenario.”

An example Key described is having an alternator fail, prompting the need to come back into a Class Delta airport with no radios and get light gun signals. 

“Our instructors actually ask air traffic control to give them light gun signals, so the student has seen them in real life. These scenarios build upon each other throughout their training until they are responding to things as complex as simulated engine fires in a multiengine aircraft later in their training. The way to avoid the pitfalls of broken down ADM is consistent exposure to real-world scenarios when the pressure is on.”

5. Stalls

Key acknowledges that stalls can be a frightening thing for some primary flight students. This can cause them to overreact to stalls, she says, when they give up a lot of altitude in a recovery, induce a secondary stall, or, worse, freeze altogether.

“One thing I ask students right at the beginning is to tell me everything they have ever heard about stalls, that way we can address their concerns right from the start. We also might watch a YouTube video of a stall so they can actually see what the airplane will be doing. From there we just expose students to a wide variety of different stalls, all the way to a full stall. We’ll do some in a turn, straight ahead, some recovering to a glide, and maybe even a falling leaf stall. The goal is to show them that they aren’t that scary, and to help them have the presence of mind to respond promptly and smoothly,” Key said.

When CFIs take the initiative to work through these and many other challenges primary students face, forward progress can be made faster. Whether the student is from a university or the flight school at your local municipal airport, teaching the art of flying can be complex and rewarding. Ask any CFI, and they will tell you that watching a student’s first solo or seeing them achieve the milestone of earning their private pilot certificate is why they do what they do.

The post Top Five Challenges of University Flight Students appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

In real estate, we all have heard many times that it is “location, location, location” that sells homes. But if you have a comprehensive collegiate aviation program, and you want to be able to recruit motivated young people to seek out your school, being across the field from EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is a wonderful thing.

That’s the situation Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) finds itself in. With campuses in Oshkosh and Appleton, Wisconsin, EAA’s big annual summer aviation family reunion is a neighbor every college program teaching aviation students would love to have. With as many as 600,000 happy people attending AirVenture each July, every year of the big EAA show brings in another crop of children and young adults who are getting their fire sparked for a career spent in the air.

Jared Huss, FVTC’s director of aeronautics, has served in many capacities in his 25 years in the aviation industry and knows the school’s proximity to AirVenture is a huge plus. He holds an ATP certificate and has been an airline pilot and contract corporate pilot, along with numerous positions as an aviation educator. When it comes to finding motivated new students, Huss does not have to look far.

“Being co-located with the aviation organization that brings the largest aviation gathering in the world to our community is truly special,” Huss said. “We have the unique opportunity to share the same airport where EAA AirVenture takes place each year. The end of July is always one of the most exciting times of the year that reminds our students why they’ve chosen this career path. I can’t think of a more immersive way to give our students the overwhelming experience of what it means to be a part of such a welcoming, fun-loving, tight-knit family like we find in our aviation community. Having this wonderful aviation community gather right in our backyard and being able to share our community together each year is something that we will always treasure.”

FVTC recently celebrated 30 years in aviation training and offers two main paths of training: aircraft maintenance and flight. Along with programs for airframe & powerplant technicians and aircraft electronics, FVTC operates 10 aircraft—seven Cessna C172S Skyhawks and three Beechcraft Be76 Duchesses—and currently offers two degrees in professional pilot training; an Associate Degree in Aeronautics-Pilot Training and a Technical Diploma in Aeronautics-Professional Pilot, which serves upwards of 70 to 80 flight students. All flight training at FVTC operates from the S. J. Spanbauer Aviation & Industrial Center, located off Oregon Street on the east side of Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH).

Part of AirVenture

Since the beginning of the FVTC aviation program in 1991, the school has had a presence at EAA Airventure. “We’ve enjoyed venues ranging from the exhibit hangars to sharing FVTC Aviation under our own tent, to sharing the wonderful space in the Education Center where we are located near other flight schools, universities, and employers that we collaborate with to help connect students to amazing careers in aviation. It’s wonderful to have such a great venue for our students to explore the gateway to the world of aviation careers right across the airport,” Huss explained.

Huss added that FVTC’s collaborations with EAA extend far beyond that one glorious week in July. “EAA and FVTC have enjoyed many years of collaborative partnership and continue to grow and evolve in new ways together to support the growth of our aviation community. We’ve worked together on initiatives ranging from shared opportunities for aviation students, to collaborative grant efforts, legislative work, promotion of aviation to youth groups through various activities, and more,” he said.

One has to look no further than Kyle Anderson, an FVTC Aeronautics-Pilot Training graduate and current airline pilot, to see how EAA’s annual summer show can fire up local young people. 

“EAA (AirVenture) for me was the main reason I wanted to pursue a career in aviation,” Anderson said. “I literally learned how to walk at EAA, and haven’t missed a year except for 2020 due to Covid. I can remember some of my earliest and fondest memories involved sitting on the flight line eating ice cream with my Grandpa and watching the airshow planes make their passes. I went through the AirVenture academics tent my senior year and found FVTC’s booth where I began talking with their representatives. Upon learning the more affordable costs, the number of ratings you can earn, and the locality of their flight school to my home, it was perfect. Fast forward, I now fly the Embraer E175 for Skywest Airlines. I can say I learned to fly at one of the most famous airports, one that was the birthplace of my love for aviation.”

Operations at the Summer’s Busiest Airport

Anyone who has ever been lucky enough to attend AirVenture knows the sky can become thick with every imaginable type of flying machine at various times. Huss explained that FVTC has a long-established plan to avoid flight training conflicts with all that traffic.

“As you can probably imagine, the airport and airspace around KOSH become quite active in the days leading up to and including the week of AirVenture,” Huss said. “As such, we stop flight training operations mid-week the week prior to AirVenture and resume in the days following the event. Aviation students and staff find themselves taking a step back from the day-to-day and get to go out and enjoy what AirVenture is all about. You won’t hear a lot of complaints from a bunch of passionate aviation enthusiasts with some extra time on their hands to watch airplanes and take part in the greatest aviation gathering in the world!”

Huss noted that each year at AirVenture, students, faculty, and staff from FVTC take part in AirVenture in many ways, from working their booth in the Education Center or presenting topics at one of the many seminars that take place daily.

Only One of FVTC’s Collaborations

KOSH is considered by many to be the focal point of general aviation in the U.S., and FVTC’s campus on the east side of the airport means working with many other companies is a logical collaboration.

“FVTC works closely with Basler Turbo Conversions right next door to our Aviation Training Center, Air Wisconsin Airlines is right up the road, and Sonex Aircraft is right there on the field,” Huss said. “There are countless other flight departments and operators that we serve throughout our district and the region as a whole, an important one is Gulfstream, located at Appleton (KATW). With Gulfstream’s significant growth and additional opportunities at the Appleton location, FVTC has been stretching and exploring ways to best meet the surging needs of the aviation maintenance workforce. Gulfstream has been very supportive of these efforts, and several grant opportunities that FVTC has pursued have been awarded.”

The post Fox Valley Technical College Is ‘Oshkosh’ in Your Backyard appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

For the second consecutive year, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott captured the NIFA SAFECON national championship Saturday at the Ohio State University Airport (KOSU). It marks the 14th time the school has won the competition’s top title.

A full list of events and winners is below:

SAFECON Championship

1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
2. University of North Dakota
3. LeTourneau University-Longview

Flight Events Championship

1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott 
2. University of North Dakota
3. LeTourneau University-Longview

Ground Events Championship

1. University of North Dakota
2. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
3. Southern Illinois University

Judges Trophy

1. University of North Dakota
2. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
3. Southern Illinois University

Loening Trophy

1. Auburn University

Men’s Achievement Award

1. Aric Anderson: Minnesota State University-Mankato
2. Eric Tivy: Auburn University
3. Mateo Argote: LeTourneau University-Longview

Women’s Achievement Award

1. Victoria Lorenzon: Kent State University
2. Claire Reader: Oklahoma State University
3. Maggie Hearn: Auburn University

Coach of the Year:

1. Scott Vlasek: University of Nebraska- Omaha

Competition Safety Award 

1. Auburn University 

Aircraft Preflight Inspection

1. Camden Deller: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2. Jebadiah Sussenbach: University of North Dakota
3. Devyn Thurman: Ohio State University

Aircraft Recognition

1. Rasheed Adamu: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2. Kenrick Vail: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
3. Joe Taylor: University of North Dakota

Computer Accuracy

1. Jamie Gallagher: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2. Matthew Cleveland: University of North Dakota
3. Caroline Kelley: University of North Dakota 

CRM/LOFT

1. Joe Taylor: University of North Dakota
2. Ryan Fitzgerald: University of North Dakota
3. Ryan Leach: United States Air Force Academy

American Airlines Safety Award 

1. Auburn University
2. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
3. Liberty University

Red Baron Team Sportsmanship Award

1. Oklahoma State University

Top Pilot

1. Joe Taylor: University of North Dakota
2. Hayden Morse: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
3. Joseph Turner: LeTourneau University-Longview

Top Scoring Participant 

1. Joe Taylor: University of North Dakota
2. Hayden Morse: Embry Riddle-Prescott
3. Joseph Turner: LeTourneau University-Longview

Regional Top Pilot

Region 1: Dylan Beal: Metropolitan State University of Denver
Region 2: Douglas Niemela: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Region 3: Kyla Albrecht: Western Michigan University
Region 4: Simon Awcock: LeTourneau University-Longview
Region 5: Jebadiah Sussenbach: University of North Dakota
Region 6: Benjamin Morris: Southern Illinois University
Region 8: Janes Hanover: Embry-Riddle-Daytona
Region 9: Josh Engberg: Liberty University

Outstanding Team Member

1. Owen Brennan: University of Nebraska-Omaha 
2. Gabriel Witt: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
3. Angelo Molina: Western Michigan University

Certified Flight Instructor

1. Victoria Lorenzon: Kent State University
2. Anna Scott: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
3. Jason Walter: Metropolitan State University of Denver

Ground Trainer

1. Ryan Leach: United States Air Force Academy
2. Eleanor Brown: Ohio State University
3. Joe Taylor: University of North Dakota

Instrument Simulated Flight

1. Joseph Mucklestone: United States Air Force Academy
2. Christopher Shields: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
3. Christian Mickan: St. Louis University

Message Drop

1. Carson Wells and Aaron Schwartz: University of North Dakota
2. George Biery and Ryan Leach: United States Air Force Academy
3. Shane Oatman and Giles Beebe: United States Air Force Academy

Power Off Landing

1. Hayden Morse: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2. Joseph Turner: LeTourneau University-Longview
3. Joe Taylor- University of North Dakota

Short Field Landing

1. Hayden Morris: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
2. Joe Taylor: University of North Dakota
3. Joseph Turner: LeTourneau University-Longview

Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation

1. Jebadiah Sussenbach: University of North Dakota
2. Mikayla Weiss: University of North Dakota
3. Matthew Arnovick: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

Traditional Navigation

1. Dominic Parenti and Noah Pattani: Ohio State University
2. Joe Taylor and Carson Wells: University of North Dakota
3. Ryan Leach and Caden Stine: United States Air Force Academy

Unlimited Navigation

1. Ryan Fitzgerald and Matthew Cleveland: University of North Dakota
2. Gabriel Witt and George Fiscu: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
3. Max Langerud and Caroline Kelley: University of North Dakota

Twenty-eight university teams with almost 500 students competed in 12 events to test their aviation knowledge and skills at the event.

The 2022 NIFA SAFECON was the first in-person competition since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Dale Gelter, assistant director of airport operations at the Ohio State University Airport, supports NIFA as a way for students to network with industry professionals and gain lasting friendships. 

“For Flight Team competitors, SAFECON is the event that challenges you at new airports and tests your piloting skills,” he said in a statement. “It’s also the place where you make lifelong friendships with other people in the aviation industry. It’s a privilege to have been involved as a student during college, a NIFA judge, and an administrator at a host airport.”

Brynne Barr, an Ohio State Flight Team member a freshman at Ohio State University, expressed their passion for NIFA.

“Flight Team has presented me with an incredible opportunity to refine my pilot skills, build meaningful relationships with my peers, and make connections with many experienced and passionate individuals in the aviation industry,” they said. “As a freshman, I am thrilled to return these next three years as a competitor, and after that as a coach and proud alumnus.”

The post Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Captures 2022 NIFA SAFECON Championship appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The National Collegiate Flight Championship SAFECON is set to take off next week at Ohio State University Airport. 

Top collegiate pilots will participate in a number of events to test their skills and knowledge in aviation, both on the ground and in flight. 

The Competition

During the week, 28 university teams made up of almost 500 students will compete in 12 events to test their knowledge and skill. Events will include aircraft recognition, navigation, and more. 

The schools competing in this year’s event are:

• Auburn University
• Bridgewater State University
• California Aeronautical University
• Elizabeth City State University
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
• Jacksonville University
• Kansas State University-Salina
• Kent State University
• LeTourneau University
• Lewis University
• Liberty University
• Louisiana Tech University
• Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Minnesota State University-Mankato
• Oklahoma State University
• Polk State University
• Purdue University
• San Jose State University
• Southern Illinois University
• Southeastern Oklahoma State University
• St. Louis University-Parks College
• Ohio State University
• United States Air Force Academy
• University of Nebraska-Omaha
• University of North Dakota
• Utah State University
• Western Michigan University

To become a university team within NIFA, the school must be a college or university with an aviation degree track. 

The event will commence on Monday, May 9, and continue through May 14.

Event Schedule 

Scott van Ooyen, a standards check pilot for Southwest Airlines and one of the competition’s judges, says participation in NIFA gives students an upper hand in pursuing career opportunities after graduation. 

“The students involved with NIFA are unequivocally better prepared than their peers due to their dedication to perfecting their pilot knowledge and skills,” he said. “We, in the industry, recognize the time and effort required while competing on flight teams and actively pursue post-collegiate education.”  

Adam Stiffler, director of communications, says NIFA can bring value to students’ education. 

“It’s a chance for students to take collegiate-level education to the next level and practice outside the norm, network with industry professionals and other teams. It really comes down to practicing your skills and networking.”

During the event, industry professionals and airline recruiters will host booths, providing a perfect opportunity for networking. 

Participating groups and companies include: 

• The 99s
• ALPA
• American Airlines
• Aviation Supplies and Academics
• Cirrus Aircraft
• Delta Air Lines
• Endeavor Air
• Envoy Air, Inc.
• Flight Safety
• FLYING Magazine
• Foreflight
• Frasca
• King Schools
• LabCorp
• NAFI
• National Air Transportation Association
• Net Jets
• Piper Aircraft
• Republic Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Sporty’s Pilot Shop
• Talon Systems
• Textron Aircraft
• UPS

This is the 12th year Ohio State has hosted the SAFECON Championship. To become a host, student representatives vote based on a number of factors like facilities, airport conditions, and weather. Until recently, only university airports were permitted to be used for the competition, but now, non-university facilities can host the event. 

The post NIFA SAFECON Championship Begins Monday appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) kicked off the next round of its Safecon events in region 8 on Tuesday. The competition is being held at Terre Haute International Airport (KHUF) in Terre Haute, Indiana.

NIFA serves as a forum for competitive and non-competitive collegiate aviators. The goal is to help them expand their studies through events, networking, and competitions.

The finals competition for 2021 was held virtually in June, with the Embry-Riddle Golden Eagles-Prescott securing the win.

Event Types

The competition features 11 exercises:

Navigation: A cross-country flight over a three-to-five-leg course between 70 and 120 nautical miles. Each contestant submits a flight plan before takeoff, which includes estimated time en route for each leg, total elapsed time and fuel consumption.

Short-Field Landing: This tests the pilot’s skill at maneuvering and landing the airplane. After taking off and flying a normal traffic pattern, the objective is to land as close to, if not on, the target line.

Power-Off Landing: Similar to the Short-Field Event, except that the power must be reduced to and remain at idle on the downwind leg above the target line. The approach is made essentially by gliding for the remainder of the traffic pattern to touchdown, preferably on the target line.

Message Drop: The objective here is to hit a target on the ground with a message container dropped from an airplane at 200 feet above the ground.

Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation Event (SCAN): A written exam with problems that reference a simulated cross-country flight over a given route.

Ground Trainer: This tests the competency and skill of the contestant’s ability to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR) in a flight-training device.

Aircraft Recognition: Slides of aircraft are shown on a screen for three seconds. Competitors then have 15 seconds to identify the aircraft’s manufacturer, model number, and common name.

Computer Accuracy: Participants solve mathematical flight planning computations using a manually operated flight computer.

Preflight Inspection: An aircraft is “bugged” with at least 30 unairworthy discrepancies. Contestants are given 15 minutes to preflight the aircraft and find as many of the discrepancies as possible.

IFR Simulator: Competitors are required to demonstrate instrument flight rules (IFR) proficiency and precision by flying a given route in a simulator.

Certified Flight Instructor: The event starts with the CFI preparing a predetermined subject. If weather and time permits, the CFI then teaches the lesson in flight.

The post NIFA Kicks Off Next Round of Safecon Events appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The pandemic forced the 2021 NIFA SAFECON (National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference) Championship to be held virtually this year without the flying segments. After completion of the online events, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Golden Eagles Flight Team from its Prescott, Arizona, campus won the event, making them 13-time national SAFECON champions and the winningest collegiate flight team of the past 25 years.

During the virtual championship between teams from 28 universities, ERAU flight students competed in Aircraft Recognition, Computer Accuracy, SCAN (Flight Planning), Preflight Inspection, and Ground Trainer competitions. All competitors took tests at their schools, with NIFA judges watching via Zoom calls. ERAU’s team had 35 members this past year, with 10 of those being freshmen brought on to the team in late 2020. “NIFA SAFECON is to collegiate aviation what the Super Bowl is to the NFL or the Stanley Cup is to the NHL,” ERAU said.

NIFA exists as a forum for collegiate aviators to expand their studies and further their careers by participating in competitive and non-competitive events, networking with industry and peers, and applying themselves to push beyond their ordinary curriculum. The organization can trace its roots back to a group of students at Columbia University that formed a flying club in 1919. Their first competition was held on May 7, 1920, and Yale University took first place, assisted by Juan Trippe, future founder of Pan American Airways, flying a war-surplus Curtis JN-4 Jenny.

According to NIFA, Popular Aviation magazine said of the organization, “A National intercollegiate aviation association was organized at Washington, DC in December to put competitive flying activities between colleges in a class with football, baseball, and other major sports. Delegates from most of the leading universities were present.”

“I think the biggest thing I’m proud of in the team is the level of perseverance and the many obstacles that we had to overcome in the last 10 months,” said Shaun Shephard, the ERAU Golden Eagles Flight Team’s head coach. “There were numerous times where we didn’t know what was going to come in the next week, our regionals were pushed until February, we had an extended winter break, and we had a time of shut down in early fall semester. All of our meetings and practices were socially distanced, and we had very little time that the team could come together, so we were always being taken out of our comfort zone.”

In each of the timed virtual events, students were presented with a series of questions that were augmented by Powerpoint presentations prepared by NIFA. Anyone who has ever taken an FAA written exam would easily recognize the kinds of navigation, performance, weight and balance, and other questions the student competitors had to answer. In the Aircraft Recognition category, students were shown photos of various airplane makes and models via a Powerpoint slide deck and given three seconds to view each slide and fifteen to thirty seconds to name the correct manufacturer, model number, and common name.

“I have been reminding the team about what that word team really means is ‘Together Everyone Achieves More,’” Shephard added. “We were successful in nationals not because computer accuracy swept the top five spots or aircraft identification took five of the top six spots, but because everybody continued to push each member of the team to be the best they could when it mattered. We will enjoy this 13th championship, but we are already looking forward to next year to complete a repeat championship.”

ERAU-Prescott won the Judges Trophy with 1,832.5 total points. The University of North Dakota can in a close second, with 1,822 points, and the Southern Illinois University team came in third, with 1,702 points. The next NIFA SAFECON is planned for 2022.

The post Embry-Riddle Golden Eagles Win 13th NIFA SAFECON Title appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Following the trend of many upcoming aviation events, the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) has cancelled SAFECON 2020, the national flight competition that was scheduled to take place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, from May 18 to 23.

The competition would have marked the 100th anniversary of NIFA’s annual collegiate flight competitions, and for the first time in the organization’s history, it was to be hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association at their convention facilities and museum at Wittman Regional Airport.

The annual event brings together more than 500 competitors from over 30 schools from across the country, where they compete in precision landings, navigation, flight planning, preflight inspection, and other events based on safety, knowledge, and professionalism.

Facing the options of continuing, postponing, or canceling the event, member schools voted for cancelation. Though restrictions directly related to the COVID-19 virus might be lifted in time for the event, schools reasoned that their current inability to practice for the event would raise concerns about the question of acceptable preparedness for competition. Recognizing the extraordinary circumstances, the EAA has agreed to uphold the offer to host SAFECON 2021 at their facilities next year.

The post NIFA Cancels May SAFECON Event appeared first on FLYING Magazine.