Flying high with top honors
Gina Sulme
Issue date: 4/2/07 Section: News
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The flying team captured trophies for top team safety, top team navigation, the sportsmanship award, and top community college, awarded to Mt. SAC for the last consecutive 16 years. Overall Mt. SAC placed second in the competition which won them a chance to compete for top honors in May at the national SAFECON event in Ohio.
"It's a chance for the schools to meet, so that the students can practice their skills academically and in flight events, said Robert Rogus, Co-Chair of the aeronautics & transportation department and advisor for the flying team.
"They get to take the stuff they learn from the class room and apply it out in the airport in the competitions; it makes the books come alive."
Mt. SAC hosted the conference at Brackett airport in La Verne over the weekend of February 15 which included 90 student competitors from six other colleges and universities and 50 judges. A total of 11 events where competed in, Rogus said. The weekend ended with an awards banquet.
"It's a chance to get together with other schools and with students who are striving for the same career as you," Blake Eden, Mt. SAC flying team member said. "It's a chance to come out and show what you have been practicing and see how you compare to the other pilots around the area."
Another accomplishment for the team was Team Captain Bryce Gordon winning the top pilot award which is the highest achievement in all the individual awards.
"It felt amazing, it's what I've been trying for the last two years while being on the team," Gordon said. "It will be my last year on the team, and it was an amazing feeling."
As with any other competition practice is a must. The official practice time for the flying team is every Friday at Brackett airport, as well as going down to the airport individually anywhere from 2-3 times a week, Gordon said.
According to Eden, who won various awards at the conference, practice consists of grabbing an airplane, practicing landings, and making up mock navigation events.
"To stay proficient and on a competition level you've got to stick with it regularly," Eden said.
The last time the flying team went to the national SAFECON competition was in 2005. The National Intercollegiate Flying Association hosts the annual national SAFECON for the winners of the regional competitions which will be held in Ohio this year.
There are 12 regions in the country, Rogus said. The top two to three schools in each region are chosen to go to the national SAFECON event.
"It's a dream come true," Rogus said.
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