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The OSU Flying Aggies flight team

OSU Flying Aggies Win Regional Title for Second Straight Year

Monday, November 2, 2015

For the second straight year, the Oklahoma State University Flying Aggies Flight Team placed first in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association SAFECON Region VI Competition, held in St, Louis, Mo., October 19-24. Oklahoma State defeated six other schools to win the region and secure a place in the national competition in May 2016 in Columbus, Ohio.

Flying Aggies at reception

OSU totaled 522 points, including a competition-best 321 points in Flight Events, and also won the Regional Safety Award. Southeastern Oklahoma State University and the University of Nebraska-Omaha also move on to the national competition with second and third place finishes, respectively.  

OSU team members are Steven Anderson, Joseph Campise, Paulo Claudio, Garrett Dinkins, Paul Downing, Clifton Durante, Rachel Earnhardt, Andrew Edgeller, Dillon Lain, Maxwell Maroney, Lucy McCollom, Benny Miller, Rusty Ridenour, Christian Spear, and Harrison Stegmann. Rick Gladden, Wendal Vaughan, and aerospace administration and operations assistant professor Matt Vance serve as coaches for the team.

Flying Aggie holding championship trophies

Top individual performers included Earnhardt, who was the Top Scoring Female Contestant. McCollom placed fourth in the category.

Downing was No. 4 on the list of Top Scoring Contestants and he was joined by Maroney (fifth) and Ridenour (eighth) in the top 10. That trio also placed in the top 10 for the regional’s Top Pilot Award. Ridenour earned fourth placed, Maroney fifth and Downing sixth.  

Competition events included Aircraft Preflight Inspection, Computer Accuracy, Message Drop, Aircraft Recognition, Navigation, Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation, Short Field Approach and Landing, Ground Trainer and Power Off Landing. 

Link to flickr photos

Link to full results

Data Table
School by Overall Ranking Points
1. Oklahoma State University 522
2. Southeastern Oklahoma State University 481
3. University of Nebraska - Omaha 439
4. University of Central Missouri 380
5. Kansas State University - Salina 345
6. St. Louis University Parks College 265
7. University of Oklahoma 132

 

Data Table
School Flight Events Ranking Points
1. Oklahoma State University 321
2. University of Nebraska - Omaha 300
3. Southeastern Oklahoma State University 265
4. University of Central Missouri 203
5. Kansas State University - Salina 192
6. St. Louis University Parks College 89
7. University of Oklahoma 80
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