Louisiana Tech University is hosting the National Intercollegiate Flight Association (NIFA) SAFECON Regionals in Ruston from October 13–17.
According to NIFA, SAFECON is the pinnacle of collegiate aviation excellence, serving as the ultimate national competition for aviation performance and safety. It's where the future leaders of the aviation industry gather to prove their mettle, showcase their skills, and leave their mark on a long-standing tradition. Dozens of teams compete regionally at SAFECONs throughout the fall, with top contenders earning the opportunity to engage at the highest level. Each spring, NIFA brings the top qualifying teams from schools across the country to compete in the national Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference. SAFECON’s concentration of talent and passion has made this competition a highly desired gathering point for the aviation community. Often referred to as the "March Madness" of aviation, SAFECON is a one-of-a-kind competition bringing together the best of the best in collegiate aviation.
Participating schools in this year’s Region IV competition include Tarrant County College, LeTourneau University, Stephen F. Austin University, the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Texas State Technical College, and Louisiana Tech University.
The competition begins on Monday, October 13, and will run through the awards ceremony and banquet on Friday, October 17.
Flight competition events include:
- Message Drop
- Unlimited and Traditional Navigation
- Power-Off Landings
- Short Field Landings
Ground competition events include:
- Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation
- Computer Accuracy
- Aircraft Recognition
- Preflight Inspection
- Aviation Maintenance
- Ground Trainer
The awards banquet will be held at the Davison Athletics Complex on Friday, October 17, at 6:00 p.m. Col. Mark Duffield, Director of Flight Operations and Chief Flight Instructor for Louisiana Tech’s School of Aviation, will serve as the guest speaker.
For additional information, please contact Dr. Jon Pearson at jpearson@latech.edu.