Embry-Riddle Makes First Back-to-Back Win at SAFECON

For a week in early May Middle Tennessee State University played host to this year's Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON). This event, which is governed by the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA), allows different universities to compete in 12 aviation events to test their students' piloting skills. Four events are in the air and eight are on the ground. Regional competitions in the fall sort out which schools can attend, and only the top thirty schools are invited to compete. The top-placing school this year with 465 points was the Golden Eagles Flight Team from Embry-Riddle's Prescott campus. In second place was the University of North Dakota Flight Team with 349 points. The Eagles Flight Team from Embry-Riddle's Daytona campus took third place with 332 total points.

This was not the first national championship for the Golden Eagles. This was their seventh win since 1993 and their first back-to-back national championship. "Our performance was a result of endless hours of work and practice by every team member," said Jared Testa, head coach of the Golden Eagles. "Thirteen of our 18 national conestants will return next year to work toward a 'three-peat.'"