From BGSU
Bowling Green State University has been selected to host the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region III competition from Oct. 4-10. The weeklong event will welcome student pilots from six other universities, including Ohio State University, Ohio University, Kent State University and institutions from Michigan and West Virginia.
Each of the seven teams will bring up to 15 aviation student competitors to participate in events that test their skills in flight, aircraft recognition, navigation, preflight inspection and more.
Events at this year’s regional competition include:
- Cross-country navigation
- Message drop
- Power-off and short-field landing events
- Computer accuracy ground events
- Aircraft recognition
- Preflight inspection
- Ground trainer simulations
BGSU is home to one of the largest aviation programs in Ohio and the nation, as well as one of the few universities with an on-campus airport. The Falcon Flight Team, made up of students from all majors, is one of the university’s many student organizations that allow students to explore their interests and develop leadership skills outside the classroom.
The BGSU Falcon Flight Team is coming off its third consecutive trip to nationals, where student aviators competed against more than 500 competitors from 30 colleges.
“Our team has worked so hard to improve ground knowledge and flying abilities,” said Catherine Smith, director of the BGSU School of Aviation. “We had our highest overall score as a team at last year’s regional competition, and we aim to repeat that success again this year. Our team members dedicate time and effort outside of classwork to practice for these events, not only making them better competitors, but also more well-rounded aviators.”
BGSU last hosted the NIFA regional competition in 2022, one year after earning accreditation from the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).
Four years later, this year’s competition follows the university’s reaccreditation, with both the flight technology and operations and aviation management and operations programs receiving the formal seal of approval. AABI accreditation is considered the gold standard in aviation, representing the highest level of industry-specific recognition a four-year institution can achieve.
Following the regional NIFA competition, top-performing teams will advance to nationals in May 2027. Bowling Green’s Falcon Flight Team aims to excel at regionals and qualify for nationals for a fourth consecutive year.
