The Precision Flight Team at the Region III Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) at Western Michigan University’s airport in Battle Creek, MI. The team placed second there and is now competing in the national competition. GAVIN JACKSON | DAIL

Credit: Carl Schierhorn

For the first time in 19 years, Kent’s Precision Flight Team will compete in the national flight competition tomorrow through May 13 hosted by Ohio State.

“Our goal is to place in the top five,” said David Lochner, senior aeronautical studies major and flight team member.

“Everyone from our region usually places in the top 10,” Lochner said.

The team competed last October in the regional competition held at Western Michigan University. The team challenged six other teams, and the top three were selected to go to nationals.

Scott Horning, president of the flight team, said nationals will be a lot bigger than the regional competition.

“We’ll be competing between 30 to 40 other schools,” Horning said.

Horning said there will be various events they will be judged on such as a landing competition and flight accuracy.

The team will also perform simulator events that are basically like flying a computer around, Horning said.

“It’s just like an arcade game,” he said.

Lochner said there will also be ground events such as written tests that ask about regulations and procedures.

“All around, it’s a big pilot competition,” Lochner said.

All flight team members are currently taking their final exams this week since they will be in Columbus for finals, Horning said.

Contact School of Technology reporter Holly Mueller at [email protected].