OSU Flight Team Places in Top 10 at Nationals
Friday, June 2, 2017
For each of the last three years, the Oklahoma State University Flying Aggies Flight
Team has captured the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Safety and
Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) Region VI title and earned a place at the national
competition.
This year, the OSU Flying Aggies competed at SAFECON Nationals May 8-15 in Columbus, Ohio, at Ohio State University, along with 26 other universities. Six flight events, five ground events and 12 individual and team events were held. OSU’s Flying Aggies placed 10th at this year’s nationals.
The team consisted of 12 students, with Harrison Stegmann as captain and Benny Miller as co-captains. The team members are Miles Turner, David Koch, Maxwell Maroney, Clifton Durante, Mackenzie Odom, Dillon Lain, Nate Anders, Zachary Alstatt, Alex Dunbar, and Andrew Edgeller. Aviation assistant professor Dr. Matt Vance serves as OSU Flight Team coach and Jared Dunlap serves as assistant coach.
Senior and first-time team member Mackenzie Odom earned first place in the Women’s
Achievement Award, sponsored by the international organization of women pilots, the
Ninety-Nines.
In the competition’s “Power-Off Landings” event, junior Clifton Durante and freshman Alex Dunbar scored fourth and fifth, respectively, against 113 pilots. Junior Benny Miller was given a safety presentation, which earned the team 3rd place in the American Airlines Safety award. Senior Andrew Edgeller came in fourth among 13 competitors in the Certified Flight Instructor competition. The team nominated sophomore Zachary Alstatt for Outstanding Team member, due to hard work and dedication.
Beyond the competition and results, coaches Vance and Dunlap stress that team members
simultaneously learn and demonstrate leadership and team behaviors.
“It is a pleasure to see students respond and rise to this challenge, helping each
other, leading each other and sharing their OSU enthusiasm with other schools,” Vance
said. “The Flight Team’s offsite competition travel was again this year generously
supported by donors and the OSU Flight Center – the team is privileged to represent
OSU and is very thankful for all the financial support.”