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UNO Hosts Regional Aviation Competition

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OMAHA – Next week, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) will host and compete against six Midwestern universities for the opportunity to compete against the nation’s top aviation students.

From Monday, Oct. 16, through Friday, Oct. 20, UNO will serve as host to one of 10 regional National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) competition. Visiting schools include Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, the University of Central Missouri and St. Louis University.

Three of the competing universities will sent their student teams to the national NIFA SAFECON next spring, hosted by Indiana State University. Earlier this year, UNO’s student team, the Flying Mavs, competed in their eighth consecutive national competition, finishing 15th overall.

“It is truly exciting to be hosting such a great group of universities with strong programs and talented students,” said Scott Vlasek, lecturer in the UNO Aviation Institute and coach of the UNO Flying Mavs.

The NIFA SAFECON is made up of a range of individual competitions featuring categories that test students’ abilities on the ground and in the air. Ground-based events for the Region VI competition, which UNO is hosting, will be held at UNO’s College of Public Affairs and Community Service while air-based events will take place at the Council Bluffs Airport.

“We are proud to have such a strong relationship with our partners in Council Bluffs, who have helped our students practice for previous SAFECON events as well as general aviation lessons throughout the year,” Vlasek said.

A full list and description of this year’s Region VI SAFECON events can be found at https://sites.google.com/unomaha.edu/region6safecon2017.

Members of the media are welcome to attend any and all events. Requests to attend should be sent to Charley Reed, UNO Associate Director of Media Relations, at unonews@unomaha.edu or 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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