NIFA SAFECON 2022 Competition: Collegiate Flight Programs Win

The National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Safety And Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) 2022, hosted by the Ohio State University, has announced the winners of this year’s competition.

The top 3 ‘Scoring Contestant’ schools and ‘Top Pilots’ were from: University of North Dakota (UND), Embry Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott (ERAU-P), and LeTourneau University-Longview (LU-L) respectively. Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation (SCAN): First and second place taken by UND with 3^rd place by ERAU-P. First through third-place “team” Championship went to ERAU-P, UND, and LU-L respectively. The full contestant and event details can be found at the FMI link.

SAFECON is a collegiate flight competition that welcomes competitors from over 30 schools that compete regionally in the following events: aircraft recognition, ground trainer, preflight inspection, navigation, safety, landing (power-off and short-field), message drop, and more. NIFA competitors typically compete within each of their ten regions, with the top scoring from each region progressing to compete at the national level. The event judges are volunteers from all walks of life; enthusiast, FAA examiner, airline/military pilot, and more who come together within each of the regions to lend their assistance/expertise.

NIFA’s roots begin circa early post WWI where aviators returning from war sought to use their expertise in aviation, and petitioned to organize the Aero Club of Columbia University. Over the years competitions took place, and the shape of things evolved, initially with Grover C. Loening, then Lindbergh, Earhart and Towers’ involvement, followed by a break until November 1948 when a constitution was drawn up, some reorganization and recruitment took place, and here we are today.

FMI: https://nifa.aero