NEWS AND UPDATES

TRYOUT WEEK

October 2023

We are officially in the home stretch towards regionals, and that wouldn't be complete without tryouts. Event tryouts are excruciatingly important, as they determine which competitors will compete in which events. The struggle each year is to formulate the strongest, yet safest, teams at each competition. Tryouts assess each member's skills, attention to detail, and overall drive and dedication to their craft. Held over multiple days, each tryout day focuses on one, or a few, events such as dedicated Landings, Nav, and Preflight days. Results of these tryouts will determine the roster for competition. Event coaches have been preparing scenarios and tests for this very day. It's not only their chance to also succeed, but also their chance to see how well those who they've worked with multiple practices can do. There's already been a lot of talent identified, and now is the chance for all competitors to really demonstrate their skills before competition!For potential competitors, please sign up for your tryouts. We wish you a good, fun competition!

NEW YEAR, NEW PLANS

September 2023

PFT AT NIFA SAFECON NATIONALS 2023!

May 2023

The NIFA (National Intercollegiate Flying Association) National SAFECON (Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference)is an invite-only, National Competition between the flight teams of some of the best Aviation Programs from schools across the country. The invitees are determined by teams’ placement at the regional competitions, which are held at various locations throughout the country. This year’s National Competition was held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, known as the Mecca of aviation, from May 8-13, 2023. San Jose State’s repeated appearances at the National competition demonstrate the team’s dedication and drive to perform well and to best represent the University and Aviation department, as well as proving the SJSU Precision Flight Team has what it takes to compete at a national level, year after year.Led under team Captain Reese Abrams, the team traveled to Wisconsin to compete. They competed in every event and placed 23rd nationally. As each event is scored individually, the contributions of every team member matter.The SJSU Precision Flight Team is commonly known as the team that traveled the farthest, and this is true. The competition was over 1500 miles from San Jose. This required two groups to travel to and from Wisconsin: one group of six pilots that flew the small airplanes over that were used for competition, and the other bulk of the team that traveled via the airlines. The Pilots traveled through a total of 14 different states (not including CA) going to and from Oshkosh, flying a distance of over 4600 miles (4045 Nautical Miles).This competition was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. Pilots for the competition gained invaluable flight experience, both flying across the country and in competition, as well as learning how to be a better, safer pilot than they were before. Everyone on the team, Pilot or not, learned to be more dedicated to what they love to do, as well as becoming better teammates and people.Of course, Nationals is a bittersweet time, as the Seniors graduate and pursue their careers. We wish them the best of luck!