OSU Airport hosts collegiate flight team competition

The Ohio State University Airport is buzzing with the country's best student pilots as it hosts the national intercollegiate flight competition, May 8 -14, 2006.

The Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) is the national championship for collegiate flight teams. Thirty teams will be competing in several events throughout the week. They were selected from a competition last fall that began with 75 flight teams in 11 regions throughout the country.

"The OSU Airport is proud to host the nation's top college students in aviation. SAFECON gives these students a chance to showcase their knowledge and skill in aviation. It also is a great way for these students to network with aviation professionals," said Douglas Hammon, airport director.

Events of interest include the "power off&rduquo; landing on Wednesday (5/10), where students land their planes without power; and the message drop on Friday (5/12), where students attempt to drop a small box onto a specified target on the field.

"We hosted SAFECON in 2002, it was very rewarding experience," said Scott Van Ooyen, OSU flight team coach. "The students have a great time. The whole event really benefits aviation education. I'm looking forward to this years competition,&rdquo Van Ooyen, added.

"Hosting SAFECON is a perfect fit for the airport's mission statement to provide a learning laboratory and professional experience for students seeking to lead, develop and operate tomorrows safe and efficient global aviation system," Hammon added.

The OSU airport recognizes that there will be increased air traffic the week before and the week of SAFECON. Flight teams from around the country are arriving daily. They will be practicing from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the week.

For more information about SAFECON, go to www.safecon2006.org