Student pilots from Colorado Northwestern Community College flew into Kewanee Municipal Airport Thursday to practice and prepare for the upcoming national aviation competition known as SAFECON (Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference), organized by National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA).
The trip from Colorado to Illinois took them about nine hours, requiring roughly three stops to re-fuel.
The team, led by coach Kinton Shannon, prepared by practicing their ground and flying events. Shannon described it as a “track meet for pilots.”
The ground event they were practicing is called simulated comprehensive air navigation. This event simulates the full process of flight navigation without actually flying. Pilots rely on an E6B flight computer; a circular slide rule used to calculate headings, wind corrections and fuel burn, to complete the simulated navigation event. Judges evaluate how close the competitor’s calculations match the “official” flight plan results.
The team was also practicing flying events including precision landing and message drop.
Precision landing is considered one of the most technical flying challenges in collegiate flight competitions. In this event, pilots aim to touch down within a narrow target zone on the runway. It simulates real-world situations where precision matters, such as short-field or emergency landings. Judges measure how close the first tire mark is to the target line. This is a test of accuracy and control that rewards skill under pressure.
Message drop is the other flying event the team was practicing, and this event was unanimously noted as their favorite event.
In this event, pilots fly 200 feet above the ground, while a co-pilot or dropper releases a small wooden block through a chute or window. The goal is to land the message as close as possible to the center of the target. This simulates an emergency situation where a pilot must deliver a message or small package to a ground target, such as a stranded person or rescue zone, without landing. Judges measure the distance between the message and the center of the target zone.
This is a national-level SAFECON, not a regional event; meaning the colleges competing will be the best collegiate aviators in the country.
Last year, the Colorado Northwestern Community College team came in first in the message drop event, landing the block 19 feet away, while the second place team more than doubled their distance.
Collegiate teams flew in and out of the Kewanee Municipal Airport all weekend in preparation for the competition this week.
Quad Cities International Airport (KMLI) will be hosting the national aviation competition next week from May 18-23. Over 500 aviators between 32 colleges will be competing for awards in safety, navigation and airmanship.
