Embry-Riddle Flight Teams Dominate Competition

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Embry-Riddle Flight Teams Dominate National Competition

Daytona Beach, Fla., May 16, 2007 -- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s flight teams dominated the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s (NIFA) Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) held May 7-12 at Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio.

The Golden Eagles flight team from Embry-Riddle’s Prescott, Ariz., campus took first place and the Eagles flight team from the Daytona Beach, Fla., campus placed third in the national competition.

It was the sixth NIFA SAFECON national championship for the Golden Eagles, who also took the spot in 2005, 2003, 1999, 1997, and 1993. The Eagles of Daytona Beach took first in 1992.

In this year’s competition, involving more than 400 pilots from 31 aviation programs around the nation, the Golden Eagles earned a total of 440 points. Following Embry-Riddle’s Prescott team in the rankings were the University of North Dakota, at 351 points, and Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach team, at 318 points.

Each team earned its way to the national NIFA contest by competing at the regional levels. The Golden Eagles of Prescott have won every regional competition since 1986. The Eagles of Daytona Beach have won every regional meet for the last 19 years.

The Golden Eagles also captured the Judges Trophy, as well as first place in flying events and ground events. The team placed first in four of 11 individual events.

Several individual members of the Golden Eagles placed particularly well. Peter Grey, a junior, was first in computer accuracy and simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation events. He also won the Craig Morrison Award for the highest score in the combined preflight inspection, computer accuracy, and simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation events.

Jacob Lindvig took first place in the power-off landing event, and seniors Andrew Trone and Sascha Korzep earned first place in the crew resource management/line-oriented flight training event.

“The entire team performance was absolutely amazing,” said Head Coach Jared Testa. “Eight of the Golden Eagles graduated this semester and our victory was a fitting conclusion to four years of hard work. I’m so proud of everyone on our team.”

The Eagles team of the Daytona Beach campus, led by coaches David Zwegers, Les Westbrooks, and Bill Baker, took second overall in the flight events, third overall in the ground events, second overall for the Judges Trophy, and third place overall in the national championship competition.

Senior Liam Broderick earned Top Pilot honors for the entire meet. Sophomore Daniel Demmery won the IFR event, and Broderick and senior Phil Siess earned second place in the CRM event.

“No coach could be prouder than I am of this year’s Eagles team,” said Head Coach Zwegers.

Complete rankings of the 2007 NIFA SAFECON are at www.nifa.us.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. The university educates more than 34,000 students annually in undergraduate and graduate programs at residential campuses in Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach, Fla., through its Worldwide Campus at more than 130 centers in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit www.erau.edu.