OSU Flight Team takes second place at 2023 regional competition

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Media Contact: Kirsi McDowell | Senior Communications Specialist | 405-744-9347 | kirsi@okstate.edu

The Oklahoma State University Flight Team placed second overall in the 2023 National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region IV SAFECON contest, held Oct. 16-20, at East Texas Regional Airport in Longview, Texas.

Members of the Flight Team put their knowledge to the test, competing in events such as aircraft recognition, computer accuracy and safety to earn a spot at the national competition. Flying Aggies pilots ranked highly in numerous individual competitions.  

"The students continually demonstrate high levels of sportsmanship and perseverance at each competition we attend, emphasizing the immense integrity and discipline the flight team embodies,” said coach Branden Adams.

Flying Aggies president and senior aerospace administration and operations student Ryan Austin was awarded Top Pilot at the competition in addition to several other individual rankings.

“I firmly believe that the OSU Flight Team is one of the best representations of OSU culture there is. We may not be the most well-known on campus, but within aviation circles we are respected nationally for the level to which our team is student-led and our continued success since our founding 1948,” Austin said. 

“Beyond our accolades in the more technical flight events, we have won sportsmanship trophies at three of the five competitions I’ve participated in since I have been at OSU—and that is our proudest achievement of all.”

The Flight Team will compete at the May 2024 NIFA National SAFECON Competition in Janesville, Wisconsin.