Westminster’s Flight Team Earns a Spot at Nationals 

10/10/2007

College places 2nd Overall and Wins Flight Safety Award at Regional Flight Competition 

Westminster did it again.

Taking second place at the Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) regionals last week, Westminster’s Flight Team will advance - for the second year in a row - to the national competition in April 2008. In addition to placing tops in most of the major categories, they were also named the winner of the Wally Funk Flight Safety Award.

“Regionals was a strong but friendly competition,” said Michael Manning, flight team competitor. “I feel we did well overall, placing just behind the U.S. Air Force Academy and well ahead of most of the other schools.”

The regional competition was held at the Rangely Airport in Colorado Oct. 3 - 6, 2007. The competition included teams from Colorado Northwestern Community College, Aims Community College, Metropolitan State College of Denver, Rocky Mountain College, United States Air Force Academy, Utah State University and Westminster College. The teams competed and were judged in a variety of flying and ground events such as short-field approach and landings, flight planning, computer accuracy, navigation, safety and aircraft recognition, and other several other events.

“What’s great about these competitions is that you not only practice to do well in the individual events, but you are also practicing in preparation for your future career,” said Mark West, flight team captain. “These competitions actually transfer over to what you do for a living.”

“It’s really cool to have a venue where pilots can go and practice their skills in a sports team environment…like a track meet,” West continued. “Our team has only been around for five years, but we’ve made nationals three times now…and these competitions are great for having fun, practicing our skills and providing camaraderie.”

The Westminster College Flight Team is made up of flight students and instructors who devote many of their Saturdays to practicing for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) competitions. Participation in NIFA promotes professionalism, exacting standards and friendly competition among student pilots. It also provides scholarship opportunities and recognition for the top flight students.

Westminster is the 2007 Loening Trophy recipient for the best all-around collegiate program in the nation. For more information on Westminster’s Aviation Program, visit: www.westminstercollege.edu/aviation or NIFA and www.nifa.us.

Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enrich the college experience.