Embry-Riddle Flight Team Wins NIFA SAFECON Region II Competition

Prescott, Arizona - The Golden Eagles Flight Team of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has won its 28th consecutive regional championship title at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) SAFECON Region II Competition. Embry-Riddle, along with the City of Prescott, hosted the 2014 NIFA Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) Regional Competition held Feb. 4-7 at Prescott's Ernest A. Love Field. Besides Embry-Riddle, flight teams were fielded by Cypress College, Mt. San Antonio College, San Diego Christian College and San Jose State University. The Golden Eagles dominated the event, earning a total of 333 points. San Jose State University came in second with 114 points, and Mt. San Antonio College with 112 points. The three teams will advance to the national competition to be held May 12-17, 2014, at The Ohio State University. "The history and tradition of excellence is what motivates us to continually strive to be the best," said Sam Morris, an Aeronautical Science sophomore and a member of the Golden Eagles Flight Team. "This is a great accomplishment, but it's just a stepping stone to winning another national championship." The Golden Eagles won the NIFA SAFECON national championship in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012 and 2013. At the Region II Competition, Embry-Riddle's team won several honors, including Mitchell Boehle named as Top Pilot and Julie Bales as Top Female Pilot. For complete competition results, go to www.nifa.us/2013_REGION_2_RESULTS.htm. About NIFA SAFECON The National Intercollegiate Flying Association SAFECON is a national championship flying competition for collegiate teams from across the country, designed to test aviation skills and knowledge. NIFA was formed to develop and advance aviation education; to promote, encourage and foster safety in aviation; to promote and foster communications and cooperation between aviation students, educators, educational institutions and the aviation industry; and to provide an arena for collegiate aviation competition. About Embry-Riddle Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit, independent institution offering more than 60 baccalaureate, master's and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., and through the Worldwide Campus with more than 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The university is a major research center, seeking solutions to real-world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu, follow us on Twitter (@EmbryRiddle) and www.facebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity, and find expert videos at YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv.