UND Flying Team wins regional title

Nine events, nine wins, nine team members being named regional champions: That was the UND Flying Team’s performance at the NIFA Region 6 meet

UND’s Flying Team won the National Intercollegiate Flying Association Region 6 Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference championship recently, scoring a total of 852 points (second place had 491). 

The UND team also earned first place in every event in which they competed, with nine different team members being named regional champions. Additionally, the top scoring contestant was a UND student, Mikayla Weiss of Grand Forks, N.D.

The UND team now has qualified for the NIFA National SAFECON Competition, which will be held in Janesville, Wis., in May. The 12-member team is working hard to prepare for that completion, at which UND has placed first or second at least 32 times in the past 38 years.

SAFECON represents a comprehensive test for pilots’ skills. From pen-and-paper navigation to powerless landing accuracy, the contest’s events bring all flight skills to bear.

The national competition draws hundreds of collegiate pilots from across the country.

The Region 6 Championship was held Oct. 17-20 in St. Louis, and drew a total of eight teams. UND’s top marks came in the following events: Preflight Inspection, Aircraft Recognition, Computer Accuracy, Ground Trainer, Message Drop, Power-Off Landings, Short Field Landings, Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation or SCAN event and Unlimited Navigation.

In addition to Mikayla Weiss, who was the top-scoring contestant out of 99 competitors, five other UND contestants scored in the Top 10.

“The dedication, professionalism, knowledge and skills that our Flying Team members showcase in these competitions are a great representation of our School and University, and will serve them well as they move into careers as aerospace and aviation professionals,” said Robert Kraus, dean of the Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at UND.  

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