Flying Buckeyes capture top collegiate aviation program award
At the culmination of NIFA's 2015 Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) National Championship, held May 11-16 at the university's airport, The Ohio State University Flight Team received the Loening Trophy as the outstanding all-around collegiate aviation program in the nation.
The pure silver Tiffany designed Loening Trophy was commissioned and first awarded in 1929 when aviation pioneer and inventor Dr. Grover Loening saw a need to annually recognize the most outstanding achievements of today’s college aviation programs. Dr. Loening—aeronautical engineer for the Wright Brothers—asked his friends and famous pilots, Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and Navy Commander John Towers to assist him in judging the first competition.
The original Loening Trophy is still awarded today and is considered the most prestigious award at the annual SAFECON competition. Ohio State last held the trophy in 1988. Emphasis on academics, community involvement, aviation skills and their advancement, a comprehensive safety program, and professionalism, when combined with a pro-active enhancement of the future of aviation are keys for the selection of this award.
Flight team members also excelled in individual events. Team captain John Ginley placed 2nd overall in the National Top Pilot Award. Team member Alison Dennis took 1st place in the Women's Achievement Scholarship. Coach Scott van Ooyen was honored as Coach of the Year.
“This is my last competition as the team's head coach," van Ooyen said, "so it was a very nice acknowledgment from the fine students and alums whom I have known to love and have lifelong friendships."
Teams earn points toward the top award for each student who places in one of the 11 events. The teams compete in ground and flight events, including navigation, message drop, preflight, power-off landing, and short-field approach and landing.