Liberty hosts regional flight competition, wins for 11th straight year

The Liberty University School of Aeronautics hosted the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region X competition for the first time, Oct. 14-17, as its NIFA Flight Team claimed first place for the 11th straight year. The top finish qualifies Liberty’s team for nationals, hosted by Ohio State University in May.

The Top Pilot distinction was awarded to Kyle Gallagher, a Liberty senior.

“Being able to host this competition in Lynchburg was a huge thrill for us,” said Bob Hudson, Liberty’s associate dean of flight operations and the flight team faculty advisor. “It’s a great opportunity to invite people to see what we are doing and (for them) to find out what makes Liberty so different and (for us) to really share our faith.”

Four schools (Liberty, the Naval Academy, Averett University, and Guilford Technical Community College) competed in a series of ground- and flight-based events. Ground events included pre-flight inspections, navigation, and planning a cross-country flight. Flight events, “the bread and butter” senior Evan Thrams explained, included precision landings and dropping containers from the air to a ground target. Judges positioned along the runway and at locations miles around Lynchburg Regional Airport watched pilots closely as they tallied scores. Competition events were also held using Liberty’s flight simulators.

“We are doing everything across the facet of aviation,” Thrams, Liberty’s flight team captain, said in the midst of competition Friday. “This competition has gotten me ready for check rides with the FAA; it’s gotten me ready for interviews with companies; it has prepared me as an aviator.”

Thrams, who was named Cessna Aircraft’s Top Hawk over the summer, added that competing is a new dynamic compared with training and practice. “For the first time, in this competition, you have a real objective. You are not training, you are doing; it is taking our job skills and actually applying them in the real world.”

Liberty’s 15-member team is assembled following a rigorous tryout, focused on both individual skill as well as camaraderie. Having a tight-knit group is important, Thrams explained, in ensuring Liberty’s team exemplifies a positive Christian testimony.

“Our team is the most fun-loving, professional group you are going to find,” Thrams said. “Between teams, this is the strongest (camaraderie) we have ever had. We are going to try to build up and support the other teams as best we can.”

Complete results are posted online.