K-STATE AT SALINA FLIGHT TEAM SUCCEEDS AT NATIONALS

May 6, 2005

SALINA – The Kansas State University flight team finished in 18th place at the National Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference – SAFECON – held April 26-30. The flight team represents K-State at Salina’s aviation department. Nearly 300 students from 29 different schools around the country competed in the event , which took place on the Salina campus. The annual intercollegiate competition involves a series of ground and flight events.

The flight team received the Wally Funk Competition Safety Award for the first time in the school’s history. The award recognizes a single team in the competition for displaying the highest degree of safety during the week of competition. Teams are judged on their ability to maintain a safe environment while handling aircraft, as well as their professionalism and behavior.

“I was proud of the effort our team made to represent K-State and to compete on a very high level,” said Patrick Rinearson, Olathe, senior in professional pilot and team captain. “Our team is young, so the recognition we received this year is a good measure of what we can accomplish in future competitions.”

Rinearson also took the team’s top individual finish by placing fourth overall in the preflight inspection competition.

A total of 15 flight team members competed in this year’s national SAFECON events:

Daniel Leebrick, Atwood, senior in professional pilot, 37th in simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation, 47th in navigation, 62nd in computer accuracy; Thomas Kemp, Emporia, sophomore in professional pilot, 22nd in simulator, 133rd in computer accuracy; David Little, Hutchinson, freshman in professional pilot, 23rd in navigation; David Lacore, Lawrence, freshman in professional pilot, 63rd in aircraft recognition; Dan Kozak, Lansing, freshman in professional pilot, 16th in ground trainer, 80th in power-off landing and 102nd in short-field landing; Brandon Voorhees, Leavenworth, junior in professional pilot, 39th in aircraft recognition, 95th in simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation; Patrick Rinearson, Olathe, senior in professional pilot, fourth in preflight inspection, 19th in navigation, 66th in aircraft recognition, 92nd in power-off landing; Mitchell Ochs, Salina, senior in professional pilot, 12th in preflight, 27th in ground trainer, 47th in navigation, 103rd in short-field landing; Lindsey Boeckman, Wetmore, sophomore in professional pilot, 9th overall top scoring female contestant, 19th in navigation; Jeff Wheeler, Wichita, freshman in professional pilot, 98th in simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation; Darrin Smith, Winfield, sophomore in professional pilot, 81st in aircraft recognition, 106th in simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation.

From out of state: Andrew Waterland, Kansas City, Mo., junior in professional pilot, 22nd in message drop, 69th in simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation, 92nd in computer accuracy; Matthew Werth, Mason, Ohio, freshman in professional pilot, 23rd in navigation, 89th in aircraft recognition; Jill Hudson, Culver, Ind., sophomore in professional pilot, sixth overall top scoring female contestant, 18th in power-off landing, 45th in short-field landing, 129th in computer accuracy; and Micah Westblade, Evergreen, Colo., sophomore in professional pilot, 22nd in message drop, 118th in computer accuracy.

ABOUT SAFECON EVENTS:

Simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation – The exam includes all aspects of basic aeronautical skills, similar to current FAA written exams, but with a few extra challenges. The exam concentrates on computational problems involving cross-country navigation.

Landing events – In the power-off and short-field landings, a line is chalked on the runway. Points are given based on how close the plane gets to the line under given conditions, as well as overall technique. In the power-off landing, pilots reduce power and essentially glide into the landing.

Preflight inspection – This event involves a preflight inspection of a plane that has been “bugged” with a variety of discrepancies. The competitor is graded on the number of discrepancies discovered in 15 minutes.

Navigation – Students have 30 minutes to plot a three- to five-point cross-country flight, estimating time between checkpoints, total time en route and expected fuel usage. A check pilot then rides with the student to verify the accuracy of the estimates and ground judges record time over checkpoints.

Message drop – A pilot and drop master work together to drop messages from 200 feet in the air into two different barrels on the ground. The drop master earns points based on how close the messages are to the barrels.

Computer accuracy – Using an E6B, a circular slide rule made specifically for aviation, students work a variety of problems. Problems include time, speed, distance, wind correction and fuel requirements.

Simulator – Students are required to demonstrate instrument flight rules, proficiency and precision in a simulator. Scores are given based on how close students come to the target values in a pre-set flight.

Aircraft recognition – Slides of parts of a variety of aircraft are flashed on a screen for three to five seconds. The student must identify the aircraft by manufacturer, model number and common name. Worldwide aircraft are used, including Russian airliners and World War II planes.

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