OSU Flying Aggies Win Regional Title for 3-Peat

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

OSU Flying Aggies Flight Team NIFA Region 6 champions Fall 2016, from left to right: David Koch, Alex Dunbar, Dillon Lain, Rusty Ridenour, Harrison Stegmann (on right wing), Benny Miller (on left wing), Nate Anders, Zach Alstatt, Clifton Durante, Andrew Edgeller.

For the third straight year, the Oklahoma State University Flying Aggies Flight Team placed first in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association SAFECON Region VI Competition, held in Norman last month. Oklahoma State defeated eight other schools to win the region and secure a place in the national competition in May 2017 in Columbus, Ohio.

OSU totaled 508 points, including a competition-best 326 points in Flight Events. University of Nebraska was second and University of Nebraska-Omaha third, also advancing to the national competition.

OSU team members are Nate Anders, Zachary Alstatt, Alex Dunbar, Clifton Durante, Andrew Edgeller, David Koch, Dillon Lain, Bennett Miller, Rusty Ridenour, and Harrison Stegmann. Jared Dunlap and aerospace administration and operations assistant professor Matt Vance serve as coaches for the team.

OSU Flying Aggies Flight Team Captain Harrison Stegmann (right) and Co-Captain Benny Miller (left) share a proud moment with the NIFA Region 6 top overall team trophy, for the 3rd straight year.

Vance said OSU “won the overall event primarily with strong flight performance but also because every team member contributed to the win. Team captain Harrison Stegmann and co-captain Benny Miller led eight other team members to victory over the four-day competition, which included four flying events and five ground events.”

Three team members placed in the top 10 scoring of all competitors. Top individual performers included Durante (second), Miller (tied for fourth) and Stegmann (10th). Durante and Miller also placed second and third, respectively, in the top pilot category. Durante was the top scoring contestant in the power-off landing while Stegmann placed fourth in the category. Miller finished second in the simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation. Miller, Durante and Stegmann placed second, third and fourth, respectively, in the short field landing division.

Competition events included Aircraft Preflight Inspection, Computer Accuracy, Message Drop, Aircraft Recognition, Short Field Approach and Ground Trainer.

Overall

1. Oklahoma State University 508

2. University of Nebraska - Omaha 468

3. Kansas State University - Salina 414

4. Southeastern Oklahoma State University 361

5. University of Central Missouri 253

6. St. Louis University Parks College 219

7. University of Oklahoma 164

Flight Events

1. Oklahoma State University 326

2. Kansas State University - Salina 278

3. University of Nebraska - Omaha 263

4. Southeastern Oklahoma State University 174

5. St. Louis University Parks College 89

6. University of Central Missouri 105

7. University of Oklahoma 65

Link to full results: https://nifa.aero/wp-content/uploads/2016-Region-VI-SAFECON-Official-Results.pdf

PHOTOS: https://www.flickr.com/photos/66238541@N06/albums/72157672421874704