The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Precision Flight Team performed well at the , hosted by The Ohio State University from Oct. 6-11. Â鶹ÊÓƵ secured third place in the overall SAFECON Championship, demonstrating proficiency in both flying and ground events.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ won first place in the Competition Safety Award, an honor for which all teams were eligible. Judges awarded this based on observations throughout the week, recognizing Â鶹ÊÓƵ's consistent adherence to safety practices.
Lucy Altwies, a sophomore, was named Outstanding Team Member, recognizing her contributions to the team's success.
In individual events, Gavin Chu placed second in the Power-off Landing competition with a total of 17 feet, and Freddie Stamper earned third place in Aircraft Recognition, correctly identifying 160 aircraft. Other notable performances included Daniel Aurand's third place in the SCAN event, while Andrew McKinley and Takashi Kunu took third in Unlimited Navigation. Jeff McCabe placed fourth in the Ground Trainer event, and the team of Zach Lach and Jeff McCabe secured fourth in Message Drop.
Tim Palcho, Â鶹ÊÓƵ's head coach, commented on the team's performance: "These results reflect our students' hard work and the strength of our professional pilot program. We're particularly pleased with our safety award, as it underscores our commitment to responsible aviation practices."
The team's strong showing at regionals positions Â鶹ÊÓƵ for a likely invitation to the National SAFECON, scheduled for May 2025 at Whitman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Support for the team came from multiple coaches, advisors, and visitors comprised of students, alumni, and faculty staff, including Christina Bloebaum, dean of the College of Aeronautics and Engineering.
As Â鶹ÊÓƵ prepares for the possibility of nationals, they bring with them not only their regional achievements but also valuable competitive experience against top collegiate aviation programs.