10/28/09

By Courtney Kessler

Flying Bobcats land just short of nationals

ATHENS, Ohio (Oct. 28, 2009) -- Ohio University's Flying Bobcats Flight Team placed fourth

among the five schools at the 2009 Region III Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference

(SAFECON) held October 13-17 at Western Michigan University, making them one rank short

of going to nationals. As a school, they placed second in the flight events, and third in ground

events, but did not score high enough overall to be invited to the national competition next

spring.

Flying competition events involved both "ground" and "flight" events, including aircraft

recognition, pre-flight inspection, flight computer accuracy, precision landings, cross-country

navigation and flight simulator proficiency. An additional, written exam tested the competitor's

knowledge of aeronautical charts, federal regulations, aircraft performance and aerodynamics.

Competing for Ohio University were Marcus Frank (captain), Anthony Pelfrey (captain),

Benjamin Brierly, Travis Fisher, Mark Folchi, Matthew Gomes, Jeff Guynes, Neil Hoy, Emily

Pleshinger, John Quint, Dave Readout, Samuel Trost, and Seth Winegardner. Head coaches

were George Armann and Kristin Givens.

Brierly (drop master) and Quint (pilot) won 1st-place honors in the “message drop” category,

while Pleshinger,Winegardner took 3rd

and Folchi,Pelfrey took 4th

. In “simulated comprehensive

aircraft navigation,(SCAN),” Brierly took 3rd

, and Winegardner took 4th

. Teammate Marcus

Frank took 4th

in the “power-on landings” category, 5th

in “top pilot”, and 6th

in “simulator

(ground trainer)”. In “power-off landings”, Quint took 3rd

, Frank took 5th

, and Guynes took 8th

.

B.J. Galloway, chair of the Department of Aviation, noted that the team did well despite tough

competition. “The Flying Bobcats did an outstanding job of representing Ohio University and the

Department of Aviation,” he said. “This is the most difficult region in the National

Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) and to be able to post a finish of second in the flight

competition and third in the ground competition against larger, better-financed teams is a

testament to the determination of the entire team.”

Formed in 1940 by Ohio University flight students, the Flying Bobcats have been competing in

regional competitions to qualify for NIFA competitions since the mid-1960s. The National NIFA

SAFECON, one of the most prestigious events in collegiate aviation, brings top aviation students

together with judges and sponsors from leading corporations in the aviation industry. This year's

sponsors included Air Line Pilots Association, American Airlines, American Eagle Airlines,

Cessna Aircraft Company, Cirrus Design, Delta Air Lines, Frasca International, Inc., Jeppesen,

National Business Aviation Association, NetJets, Phoenix Aviation Managers, Inc., Southwest

Airlines, Sporty's and United Airlines, among others.

The Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ College of Engineering and Technology at Ohio University in

Athens, Ohio, educates well-rounded professionals with both technical and team-project skills.

The Russ College offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across the traditional engineering

spectrum and in technology disciplines such as aviation, computer science, and industrial

technology. Research areas currently receiving significant funding include avionics, fuel cells,

bioengineering, oil and gas pipeline corrosion, and environmental pipes and culverts. Named for

alumnus Fritz Russ and his wife, Dolores, the Russ College is home of the Russ Prize, one of the

top three engineering prizes in the world. For more information, visit www.ohio.edu/engineering.