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MSCD Precision Flight Team
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The precision flight team competes in annual regional and
national meets with other members of the National Intercollegiate Flying
Association (NIFA). Competition is in flying and non-flying
events. The competition is called a SAFECON which stands for SAfety and
Flight Evaluation CONference. In October we will host the Regional
competition for Region I, which encompasses Colorado, New Mexico,
Wyoming, Utah, and Montana. The teams in our region include the Air
Force Academy, Rocky Mountain College from Billings, Colorado Northwest
Community College from Rangely, Utah State from Logan, Utah, AIMS
Community College, among others. |
Click here for a video of the
Landing Competition
(will take some time to download) |
The top 2 teams from our region will compete with about thirty teams from all across America
for the National title in the Spring. Team competitors earn the right to compete through competition with each other
throughout the semester. Some of the expenses may be met through various fund raising activities. The team also participates in community service activities. Any MSCD student interested in flying is encouraged to become involved with the Flight Team.
To become involved, you must sign up for the flight team courses. |
Flight Team Courses
Members must enroll in the "Flight Team" courses in this order. They satisfy
electives in Aerospace.
1.
AES 2330 Precision Flight and Navigation - 3sh elective course
2.
AES 3330 Intermediate Precision Flight and Navigation - 2 sh elective course
3.
AES 3340 Advanced Precision Flight and Navigation - 1 sh elective course
4.
AES 2330 LAB Precision Flight and Navigation - 0 sh elective course for continuance
To continue into beyond the 4th semester,
you would repeatedly sign up for this course.
Flight Events
1. Short Field Landings
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Competitors fly a precise landing pattern using power and flaps to control airspeed and descent rate in order to land at an exact line in “the box” which is the size of a football field. The line is one third of the way from the beginning of the box and points are assessed against the competitor for each foot away from the line and failure to fly a precise pattern leading to the landing. The lowest number of points determines the winner.
2. Power Off Landings - Similar to short field landings, in these the power is placed to idle abeam the intended point of landing and the contestant must adjust the pattern and manage the energy to land at the same line in “the box”.
3. Message Drop - Two 2.5 ounce balsa wood message containers with streamers are dropped from the aircraft on two different targets from an aircraft cruising at 200 feet altitude.. Measurements are taken of the distances from the targets and points assessed against the bombardier for every foot away from the targets. The lowest number of points determines the winner.
4. VFR Navigation - Contestants are given the weather report and 30 minutes to plan a visual flight route and submit the times that they expect to arrive at about 5 different check points at the end of each leg of the route as well as the total time and fuel required. Points are assessed against the competitor for each second off from the times planned and any miscalculation of fuel. The lowest number of points determines the winner.
5. IFR Precision Flight - ( sometimes held at nationals only) A typical scenario for an IFR flight is set up similar to an instrument check ride. The student will copy an IFR clearance to a certain destination, receive the weather, and take off, following departure instructions and enroute clearance, while maintaining airspeed, altitude, heading, and course within certain prescribed parameters. He will then receive holding and or approach instructions and finally execute the approach and missed approach as depicted.
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Ground Events
1. Preflight -
An aircraft mechanic sabotages a small single engine aircraft, typical of those the contestants fly. There will be about 30 to 35 discrepancies that will make the aircraft unairworthy. The contestant has 15 minutes to conduct an orderly preflight inspection to determine all that is wrong with the craft. The highest score wins.
2. Simulator - Contestants are given a 10 - 15 minute long pattern to study before entering the flight simulator. They then fly this series of timed climbs, descents, and constant rate turns , including numerous speed changes, as accurately as possible with reference to the flight instruments while the computer scores points against them for being off their timing, airspeed, heading, altitude, or rates of climb, descent, or turn. The lowest score wins.
3. SCAN (Simulated, Comprehensive, Air Navigation) - This is a comprehensive test of all the contestant’s knowledge of regulations, reading of charts and publications, weather interpretation, weight & balance, and enroute calculations required for a safe flight. The contestant is given a chart, weather, aircraft loading and maintenance information, pilot logbook information, and routes and airport information, in order to plan an entire flight and answer about 50 questions concerning it in about 50 minutes. The highest number of questions correct in the shortest time wins.
4. Manual Flight Computer - Contestants utilize a circular slide rule, specific to aviation, to solve about 40 aviation problems related to preflight and enroute planning in about 40 minutes. The highest number of questions correct in the shortest time wins.
5. Aircraft Identification - About 30 slides of whole or partial views of aircraft from all over the world, throughout the entire history of aviation are projected for three seconds on the screen, after which the contestant must identify it as to name, manufacturer, and numerical designation. The highest number identified correctly wins. |
6. IFR Simulator - (held at nationals only) A typical scenario for an IFR flight is set up in a simulator. The student will copy an IFR clearance to a certain destination, receive the weather, and take off, following departure instructions and enroute clearance, while maintaining airspeed, altitude, heading, and course within certain prescribed parameters. He will then receive holding and or approach instructions and finally execute the approach and missed approach as depicted.
7. Electronic Computer Accuracy - (sometimes held at nationals) Contestants will utilize an electronic flight computer to solve about 40 aviation problems related to preflight and enroute planning in about 40 minutes. The highest number of questions correct in the shortest time wins.
Membership Offers
1. Opportunity to sharpen many of your pilot skills
2. Opportunity for you to make a name for yourself nationally
3. Scholarships at the National Competition
4. Scholarship opportunities within the department
5. Cash awards for top three places in some competitions
6. Camaraderie with fellow students at MSCD as well as across the Nation
7. Training awards from the airlines on their aircraft
8. Opportunity for you to make a name for yourself in the department |
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The competition consists of 7 ground events and 5 flight events over the 4 day period, culminating in an awards banquet where trophies and medallions are handed out to the top contestants in each event, the top
pilot, and to the top teams in the region. The top pilot receives a scholarship
award, there are men's and women's achievement cash awards, and American Airlines also gave unlimited use on any available simulator at their training facility in Dallas to our team members after we won the Safety
Award one year.
All of the events have as their purpose to improve the contestant’s flying knowledge and skills in preflight planning and preparation, leading to the execution of a safe flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a member of the team?
This club has also taken the form of a course. To become a member of The Metropolitan State College Of Denver Precision flight team, all that is required is to sign up for the course AES 2330 entitled Precision Flight and Navigation and be accepted by the current team members according to the bylaws of the team. Prerequisite to this course a student must have taken AES1100 or any other Private Pilot ground school course to assure that the student has a working knowledge of aviation and safety procedures in and around aircraft.
Who can compete?
You need not be an Aerospace Science major in order to join the club and compete! No pilot license is required to compete in any of the ground events, nor is one needed to be the navigator in the VFR Navigation event or the bombardier in the message drop event. To take part in the landing events, or as pilot in the VFR Navigation or Message Drop event, a Private Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA is required. To take part in either of the IFR events, an instrument rating is required. To compete in a Regional or National Competition a team member must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and be signed up for at least 6 credit hours of course work at MSCD unless it is the students last semester prior to graduation.
CFI's can compete in 2 Regional and 2 National Competitions after becoming a
CFI.
What is the time commitment?
In addition to the normal commitment to a 3, 2 or 1 credit
hour course, there will be practices held typically on Saturday mornings
at Limon airport from 7:45 AM till noon. There will also be time spent
toward fund raising and club advertising and recruiting. You must plan
on approximately 4 days out of the Fall semester for the Regional
competition and a week out of the Spring schedule for National
competition. There will also be scheduled times for practice on preflight and simulator events, typically on Fridays.] |
Will there be a financial cost to be part of the club?
First is the cost of the courses:
AES2330 Precision Flight & Navigation - 3 credits
AES3330 Intermediate Precision Flight & Navigation - 2 credits
AES3340 Advanced Precision Flight & Navigation - 1 credit
AES2330LAB - Precision Flight & Navigation Lab - 0 credits
Secondly, depending on the amount of money we raise and the amount we are able to receive from club funding, student travel and other sources, there may be a cost in attending the competition. Funds received will first go to entrance fees, then lodging, then ground transportation, and finally flying time for competition followed by flying time for travel and practice. Meals while away will always be the responsibility of the competitor.
Lastly, club members competing for spots in the flying events are responsible for the rental of their aircraft used for practice. Also, to really be ready to win in competition in one of the landing or the VFR Navigation events will require at least two additional practices a week. For those competing in ground
events only, the extra cost should be minimal. |
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Can Flight Instructors be club members and compete?
Yes, just recently there has been a rules change allowing certified flight instructors to compete in a maximum of 2 Regional and 2 National meets (however the 1500 hr. flight time rule still stands). The flight instructors can also participate by signing up for directed studies in the area of Aerospace Education (AES4760). They will also be given charge to lead and organize certain ground events for which they will get a chance to
enhance their teaching techniques. It is hoped that all team members will receive their instructor certificate and return to work with the younger members of the team when they are upper classmen.
How are competitors chosen for each event?
The Advisor for the team chooses the competitors for each event usually with input from the flight instructor-helpers participating in the club. New competitors for each event are chosen each semester without regard to prior event standings. The course grades are calculated based on specific criteria listed in the course outline handed out at the beginning of the semester and are separately determined without consideration of the event selections. Students are not required to compete if they feel their course work in other areas might suffer or if they have other commitments.
What are the advantages of being on the Flight Team?
First, there is the opportunity to form friendships with a good group of students and develop a camaraderie with them as you work together toward a common goal. Second, there is an opportunity to develop leadership skills as you become an Officer for the team and take on certain responsibilities. Third, there is an opportunity to develop new skills and improve your current skills in the area of aviation. Fourth, there are scholarship opportunities associated with membership on the team and participation at Regional and National competitions. Fifth, there are opportunities for instructors to add experience to their resume and improve their chances for employment and internships. Sixth, participation and success in events will improve your resume. Seventh, there are opportunities, especially at the National level to win scholarships, cash awards, aircraft training awards from the major airlines, etc. Eighth, it’s just plane fun!!! |
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