Embry-Riddle Prescott Golden Eagles Flight Team

About the Golden Eagles Flight Team

The 2007-08 Golden Eagles Flight Team

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona is home to the Golden Eagles Flight Team, a nationally ranked flight team comprised of a diverse group of motivated individuals. The Golden Eagles Flight Team, founded in 1978, has since carried on a legacy of pride and responsibility. Over the years since then, many different coaches have motivated and shaped the team into what it is today. Currently, there are 29 active members. Many of them study for the Aeronautical Science program, but some are pursuing careers in engineering.

In the last 22 years, the Golden Eagles are undefeated at the regional level, and the National Championship has been secured six times (1993, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007). At the National level, over 30 teams compete for the title. The Golden Eagles strive to demonstrate Embry-Riddle's excellence in the aviation industry by excelling in competition. Many of the Golden Eagles Flight Team Alumni are now working for various prestigious companies and carrying on the commitment to excellence they learned while active members.

Competition consists of 11 different events. Here is a brief description of each:

SCAN – Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation is a written multiple choice and fill in test with questions about flight planning and Federal Aviation Regulations.

CA – Computer Accuracy is a written multiple choice and fill in test where aviation related math problems are solved with a manual flight computer.

ACID – Aircraft Identification is a multiple choice and fill in test where contestants identify aircraft by manufacturer, model, and common name.

Preflight – Contestants have 15 minutes to preflight an aircraft and identify problems, or squawks, that a maintenance technician has performed.

Ground Trainer – Here, an instrument pattern is flown in an instrument ground trainer. A computer attached to the trainer grades the pilot’s performance.

CRM – Two pilots fly a simulated IFR flight and are graded based on their ability to solve problems and utilize resources in an efficient and safe manner.

Message Drop – A pilot flies an aircraft while a drop master releases an object attempting to hit a target on the ground.

Short Field Landings – Pilots compete for spot landing accuracy. Scores are based on touchdown position as well as traffic patterns and safe practices.

Power Off Landings – Similar to short fields, but the pilot reduces the power to idle when he/she is abeam the point of landing at traffic pattern altitude.

Navigation – A team event including a pilot and a navigator. The navigator is given points on the ground and their associated latitude and longitude. A flight is then planned to over fly each point consecutively and penalty points are given for each second the aircraft arrives outside of the planned time. The fuel burn must also be calculated and is checked after landing.

IFR – A pilot flies departures, performs holds, and flies instrument approaches. A judge grades the pilot’s performance.