Flying Cougars Place Second in NIFA Competition

Posted on October 20th, 2015 by Emily Tomlinson

2015FallNIFA_awards_sizedOn Saturday, Oct. 17 the Flying Cougars participated in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association Region X Competition at Liberty University in Lynchburg. One of four teams to compete, Averett placed second overall in the team competition. In addition, several students placed in the individual portion.

Twelve students from Averett competed including Bledar Ibroci, Todd Early, Jake Santangelo, Jordan Bercik, Josue Rodriguez, Gabriel Verde, Chris Smith, Noelle Faucette, Tyler Henley, Zacary Labua, Johnathan Davis and Phillip Owens. Those who placed in the competition are as follows:

  • Navigation – Pilot Gabriel Verde and observer Jordan Bercik, 5th place
  • Power off landings – Jake Santangelo, 2nd place & Gabriel Verde, 5th place
  • Short field landings – Gabriel Verde, 1st place
  • Message drop – Pilot Noelle Faucette and drop master Jordan Bercik, 3rd place
  • Computer accuracy (E6B) – Chris Smith, 5th place
  • Aircraft preflight – Chris Smith, 5th place
  • SCAN (Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation) – Todd Early, 1st place
  • Aircraft recognition – Jake Santangelo, 4th place

In addition to these individual awards the team also won The Red Baron Award, the Safety Award and Noelle Faucette won the award for Outstanding Team Member.

Averett’s Flying Cougars competed against students from Liberty University, the United States Naval Academy and Guildford Technical Community College.

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