EVENTS

We compete in two NIFA competitions each year, Regionals and Nationals, each containing up to 12 events for team members to compete in. More information can be found on NIFA's Website

Visit Them Here

HOW WE COMPETE

Every contestant matters. Scored like a track meet, each contestant individually receives a score, determined by their placement in their respective event. This score contributes to the team score as a whole, determining team placement. Every contribution is therefore important and valuable.

FLIGHT EVENTS

SHORT FIELD LANDINGS

The objective is to fly a perfect, square pattern and land on a target line. Once the pilot reduces the power, he or she cannot increase it again. The flight is scored off the precise pattern and the distance away from the landing line. The further away the more points you get. The person with the least amount of points wins.

GROUND EVENTS

GROUND TRAINER

Done in a simulator, this event tests the competitor's IFR skills by having them fly a certain pattern. The goal is to maintain altitude, heading, and airspeed with minimal deviation while on a timed course.

ACID (AIRCRAFT RECOGNITION)

Pictures of any part of any aircraft are shown on a screen for three seconds. Competitors then have fifteen seconds to identify the aircraft’s manufacturer, model number, and common name, if any.

https://youtu.be/VSr5vhycZOQ

COMPUTER ACCURACY

Competitors use the E6B, a pilot's analog flight computer, to solve math problems about flight planning. You will be asked about time, speed, distance, wind corrections, fuel requirements, and unit conversions.
https://youtu.be/63syHxQhF7g

SIMULATED COMPREHENSIVE AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION EVENT (SCAN)

SCAN is a written test with questions about a simulated cross-country flight. You will get a test booklet, chart supplement sheet, and a sectional given to you for the route. You are required to cross country plan, calculate weight and balance, aircraft performance, answer questions about the safety of the flight, weather interpretations, and fuel consumption.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCDiwXghuO8

CFI

Certified Flight Instructors take part in a teaching competition. The event starts with the CFI preparing a predetermined subject. If weather and time permits, the CFI then teaches the lesson in flight.

PREFLIGHT

An aircraft is "bugged" with at least 30 unairworthy discrepancies. Contestants are given fifteen minutes to preflight the aircraft and find as many of the discrepancies as possible.

SIMULATOR EVENTS

IFR

By flying a given route in a simulator, competitors must demonstrate IFR proficiency and precision. Given to them will be clearances, holds, approach procedures, and deviations to an alternate.