National collegiate flight championship returns to The Ohio State University Airport
From May 9 through May 14, The Ohio State University Airport (KOSU) once again is hosting NIFA SAFECON, 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 is short for National Intercollegiate Flying Association and SAFECON is the acronym for Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference.
This is the 12th time Ohio State has hosted the national SAFECON flying competition. Throughout the week, 28 teams comprised of almost 500 students will compete in 12 different events, including aircraft recognition, navigation, precision landing and message drop. The results will be announced on Saturday evening, May 14, at the 2022 NIFA SAFECON Awards Banquet. The in-person event follows two years of virtual competition.
“The Ohio State University Airport is proud to host SAFECON 2022, a premier collegiate aviation competition that encourages current and future pilots with the aim to preserve and promote the tradition of pioneering in aviation,” said Stephanie Morgan, executive director of the Air Transportation & Aerospace Campus. “We wish all competitors the best of luck!”
Event Schedule (tentative based on weather) 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. daily
Friday, 5/6 Teams arriving, practices begin
Monday, 5/9 Opening Ceremony (Fawcett Center)
Tuesday, 5/10 Navigation Event
Wednesday, 5/11 Power-off Landing Event*
Thursday, 5/12 Short-field Precision Landing Event*
Friday, 5/13 Message Drop Event
Saturday, 5/14 Awards Banquet (Ohio Union)
*Opportunity for media presence next to the runway only feet from the landing zone with prior approval.
There will not be spectators during competition events; event organizers will coordinate special airfield access for media personnel.
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.
About The Ohio State University Airport
The Ohio State University Airport serves as a hub to regional industry members, a learning lab for future aviation professionals and a core facility for university research. Since 1942 it has grown to be a nationally recognized leading general aviation facility.
