The best and brightest in collegiate aviation returned to The Ohio State University Airport in May to display their talents at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON). The Ohio State University Flight Team finished 7th overall out of a field of 29 competition teams.  They placed a solid 4th in the Ground Events Championship.  The Ohio State team was just a few points away from 5th place,  but some weather issues and logistical planning (i.e. amount of day light) prevented two of the three navigation teams from competing this year.

Team Captains Anthony Pentz and Alex Mulac brought home a bigger percentage of hardware this year. Anthony placed overall as fourth in Top Scoring Contestant.  The Preflight domination continues with Alex taking first place and Anthony second place.  Anthony also placed second in the Aircraft Recognition Event and Ground Trainer event. Overall the team of 10 members represented the Buckeyes in good fashion. 

The SAFECON was a big success judging by the schools’ and judges’ comments throughout the week.  The Ohio State University and The Center for Aviation Studies are also going to be hosting the 2014 NIFA SAFECON in May of next year.  The students running this year’s conference did an outstanding job and truly went above the standard in the organization and execution of the event.  The OSU Airport staff and Air Traffic Control Tower once again proved why Ohio State is the place to be when hosting a SAFECON. 

This year was the first year for Utah Valley University to compete at a National SAFECON.  They brought a film crew along to document the event.  Click on the link below and watch a video capturing the week of SAFECON.  It  brings back memories to all who competed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFVZcchA5l8

For more about this year’s SAFECON, go to The Columbus Dispatch article and video at http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2013/05/11/top-flight-teams.html.

On April 17, 2013, Ohio State aviation students and their families, as well university staff and professionals from throughout the community, gathered at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center for the University’s second annual Aviation Night. The evening started out with a poster session where guests learned about Center for Aviation Studies research, student organizations, student internships, and as well as capstone projects.

The aviation capstone course poster was staffed by senior students Andrew Akers, Wilad Nefta, Kyle Quinn, Anthony Pentz, Ben Gaddy and Connor Sabbatis. A NetJets internship poster outlined the work that students Kyle Quinn, Christine Zavodnik and Brett McCabe did for the company from October 2012 through February 2013. Ohio State’s co-ed aviation fraternity, Alpha Eta Rho, was represented by student member Alyssa Manning. Student organization American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) was represented by student officers Jordan Brown, Genevieve Zanin and Samantha Besancon.  Several posters were presented which outlined CAS funded research.  Wei Zhang’s poster was titled “ADS-Based Conflict Detection for UAD Integration in Next Generation Air Traffic Management System”; Kejing Peng’s was titled “Evaluating the Integrated Accessibility and Catchment Areas of US Airports.” Finally, there was a poster for the Cognitive Systems Engineering Laboratory, presented by Katy Walker and David Woods.  In addition, CAS displayed a poster featuring the Center’s involvement in the FAA Center of Excellence For General Aviation.  The Aviation Student Recognition and Awards Banquet followed the poster session.   the 90 attendees , including 37 CAS students, were greeted by Dr. Seth Young, Director of the Center for Aviation Studies at Ohio State, and were provided with a catered dinner. Guest speaker Rich Wrona of NetJets’ service and operations department took the stage. He explained that NetJets recently constructed a new building, purchased a new fleet of airplanes, and is slowly introducing and implementing new technologies in an effort to improve operations. He resolved that keeping up with technological advancements and preparing for the future is a crucial part of running a business, and he applauded students for taking the same kind of initiative in preparing for their futures by going to school and receiving a higher education. “If I can give you any advice,” he said, “I guess the biggest thing I can say is to continue to diversify. In some ways, the learning is just beginning… be ready for that opening, whatever it may be.”

After Wrona stepped off the stage, Dr. Seth Young returned to honor those students who had been awarded. Junior Joshua Fisher received The NetJets Scholarship Fund Award, which was given to an aviation major with a focus of study in aviation management. Freshman Isaac Marchal received The First Year Aviation Student Award, which was given to a student in or completing his or her first year and pursing a degree in aviation. Junior Christine Zavodnik was awarded the Aviatrix Award, which was given to a female aviation major. Sophomore Justin Abrams received the Eddowes Aviation Engineering Fund Award, which was given to an aviation major in the College of Engineering, preferably performing research or doing a study in aviation safety. Sophomore John Ginley was awarded the Hillsdale Collegiate Aviator Award, which recognized an aviation major with a focus of study in aircraft systems/professional pilot area of concentration. Senior Samantha Besancon received the Center for Aviation Studies Graduating Senior Award, which was awarded to a graduating senior aviation major. Finally, senior Alex Mulac was given the OSU Aviation Alumni Society Aviation Student Leadership Award, which was awarded by the Aviation Alumni Society to a junior or senior aviation major.

Aviation Night was a successful gathering of aviation students and professionals. Student recognition and encouragement, as well as feeling of enthusiasm for the both the field of aviation and the university itself were main focus points of the evening. Speaker Rich Wrona might have said it best when he passionately stated, “I’m very proud of my education from The Ohio State University, and you guys should be too. Remember where you come from, and remember to return every now and again.”