UNO Flight Team Heading to Nationals

Omaha – After a strong performance at last year’s regional competition, members of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) student aviation team are set to test their skills against the country’s best collegiate aviators.

For the fifth straight year, the Flying Mavs will compete at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) championships. This year’s championships are hosted by The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

The competition will run from Monday, May 12, through Saturday, May 17. Competitions include everything from knowledge of aircrafts to flight instruction to simulated flight.

The Flying Mavs earned their spot at nationals with a second place finish at regionals this past November. The Mavs finished just behind first-place finishers Kansas State and ahead of third place Southeastern Oklahoma State.

As a member of NIFA’s Region VI, UNO competed against six other schools including: Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University, University of Oklahoma, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, University of Central Missouri and Parks College from St. Louis.

In total, there are 11 regions across the country with the top two or three teams from each region competing in the national competition. UNO has made the championships each year since the 2009-2010, including a string of first-place regional finishes from the ’09-’10 season to the ‘11-’12 season.

Two years ago at the NIFA championships, UNO’s Aviation Institute was named the top program in the nation and was awarded the Loening Trophy. The Loening Trophy was first awarded to the top aviation program in 1929 with Charles Lindberg and Amelia Earhart serving as judges.

The Flying Mavs will hold three practices this week, two on campus and one at the Council Bluffs Municipal Airport, before leaving for the competition.

For additional information, please contact Charley Reed, UNO media relations coordinator, at unonews@unomaha.edu or by phone at 402.554.2129.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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