UNO Aviation Team Will Take Off to Nationals

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Flying Mavericks are headed to nationals after a strong performance in the regional competition this weekend.

UNO’s competitive flight team placed third overall at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s Region VI Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (NIFA SAFECON) competition. The competition was on ‘home sky’ for the Mavericks, who hosted the regional event. See full results.

Once a year, the NIFA SAFECON national competition pits the top collegiate aviation programs in the country against each other in a series of competitions testing their skills in the air and on the ground. This marks the 11th consecutive year that UNO has qualified. Last year, the Flying Mavs placed ninth overall at the national competition.

All members of the Flying Mavs are students in UNO’s Aviation Institute. The institute offers students flight instruction and education in areas such as air traffic control, airport management, airline operations, aviation safety and security, as well as a new program in unmanned aircraft systems. Through classroom instruction, numerous extracurricular activities, simulation, and flight hours, students develop the skills they need to be successful in the aviation industry. Commercial partnerships – such as the Jet Linx and Southwest Airlines Destination 225 program – provide students with connections that help them realize their career goals.