National collegiate aviation championship event flies into Columbus
The Ohio State University Center for Aviation Studies hosts NIFA’s SAFECON 2017, a flight competition that brings the nation’s top collegiate pilots to the university’s airport to participate in flight and ground events that encourage aviation safety as well as superior knowledge, skill and professionalism. NIFA stands for National Intercollegiate Flying Association. SAFECON stands for Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference.
https://aviation.osu.edu/safecon-2017
WHAT: This is the 11th time Ohio State has hosted the SAFECON Flying Competition. Throughout the week, 26 teams comprising almost 400 students will compete in 12 different events, including aircraft recognition, navigation, precision landing and message drop. The results will be announced on Sunday evening, May 14 at the SAFECON 2017 Awards Banquet.
“We are looking forward to once again hosting this outstanding event that showcases the best students that collegiate aviation has to offer,” said Airport Director Doug Hammon.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 9, through Sunday, May 14, throughout the day
Event Schedule (tentative based on weather. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day)
Friday, 5/5 Teams arriving, practices begin
Tuesday, 5/9 Aircraft Recognition
Wednesday, 5/10 Navigation Event
Thursday, 5/11 Power-off Landing Event*
Friday, 5/12 Short-field Precision Landing Event*
Saturday, 5/13 Message Drop Event and Republic Airline ERJ-175 landing
*Opportunity for media presence next to the runway only feet from the touchdown zone
WHERE: The Ohio State University Airport, Don Scott Field, 2160 West Case Road.
About NIFA
The National Intercollegiate Flying Association was formed for the purposes of developing and advancing aviation education; to promote, encourage and foster safety in aviation; to promote and foster communications and cooperation between aviation students, educators, educational institutions and the aviation industry; and to provide an arena for aviation competition. 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 contemporaries, and applying themselves to go above and beyond their ordinary curriculum.
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Contacts: Andrew Langen, president, NIFA SAFECON 2017, 513-432-3436, langen.14@buckeyemail.osu.edu
Matt Schutte, Director of Communications, College of Engineering, 614-905-0166
