High Honors: Flight Team Takes Top Prize

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The Ohio State University Flight Team placed first overall in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) Region III competition held October 12-16 at The Ohio State University Airport. The team also placed first in the Ground Events Champions and second in the Flying Events Champions.


National Intercollegiate Flying Association Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference Region III competition
“Practicing and competing with the flight team is time consuming, a lot of hard work, and undoubtedly one of the best experiences of my college career,” Kirsh said. “I've met a lot of great people from Ohio State and other schools that I look forward to sharing the cockpit with in our future flying jobs, wherever they may be.”Ohio State aviation student Daniel Kirsh received the first place trophy for Region III Top Pilot.

Jennifer Logsdon, also an aviation major, was the top scoring female contestant. All Ohio State contestants in the aircraft recognition event placed within the top 10, and the team earned both first and second place in aircraft preflight inspection. Ohio State also placed first and second in the simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation event.

“All 12 team members contributed points to allow us to win the championship trophy, making this a true team effort. Collectively, the coaching staff is very impressed with the amount of time and effort the team put forth to capture our first championship in 10 years,” says Richard Ward, ’06 B.A. aviation, Ohio State Flight Team head coach.

More than 20 Ohio State aviation alumni volunteered their time at the event, says team coach Scott van Ooyen, ’87 B.S. aviation.

“It was great to see their interaction with the team members throughout the week,” van Ooyen says. “Many of them shared their experiences of being a flight team member and how they benefited from competing to allow them to advance into their aviation careers.”

In addition to Kirsh and Logsdon, members of the Ohio State flight team are Eric Hueve (captain), Sean Maxwell (captain), Bernie Eddy, Josh Fisher, Ben Gaddy, Anthony Pentz, Kyle Peterson, Alison Snyder, Ryan Terebesi and Carlos Vazquez.

The team competed against the other Region III colleges and institutions: Western Michigan University, Ohio University, Kent State University and the University of Cincinnati.

Ohio State also will host the 2011 NIFA SAFECON, May 16-21 at Don Scott Field.


 
Category: Students