RANGELY I Members of the Colorado Northwestern Community College NIFA (National Intercollegiate Flight Association) team are preparing to return from the national competition where they had amazing results in several activities including being ranked as the top two-year college in aviation training. They also received a No. 1 ranking and collegiate aviation progress award. Pilot Jennesee Forster and drop master Torbyn Cabra won the message drop competition. Several other CNCC pilots placed high during event competitions.
Their journey back to Rangely has been delayed due to tornado activity in Missouri on Sunday and more severe weather predicted. Once it is determined safe to fly the planes back home, they will return.
Earlier this year, the CNCC Aero Club flight team placed third at the NIFA Safety and Flight Evaluation (SAFECON) 2010 competition, qualifying the team to advance to the national SAFECON 2011 competition. The team landed at the Ohio State University airport May 16-21, 2011.
The best and the brightest in collegiate aviation once again returned to Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, to display their talents at the annual NIFA Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference at the national level.
SAFECON is a national competition that brings together more than 300 students from 30 colleges and universities from across the country to vie to be the national champions for both team and pilot honors. This competition develops and advances aviation education through a strong emphasis on aviation safety. The conference that envelops the competition provides a foundation to promote and foster communications and cooperation between aviation students, educators, and the aviation industry.