Florida Tech’s flight team returned from the National SAFECON 2025 competition in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this week with a planeload of top 20 finishes.
A strong showing in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s regional SAFECON event in March landed the team a spot in the national event, which featured top teams from schools across the country competing in safety and flight evaluation events.
The excellence the team showed in regionals made the trip to Wisconsin, as well.
Out of 10 team and individual events, the Florida Tech team and its members placed in the top 20 in half of them, including 14th in the Certified Flight Instructor event, 15th in Unlimited Navigation, and 16th in Crew Resource Management.
Last year, the team broke into the top 20 in just a single event.
Rian Mehta, associate dean of the College of Aeronautics and flight team advisor, said the strong results this year represent solid, important progress.
“The competition is the best of the best from around the country, so for us to move up in the standings is a good achievement,” he said. “I am proud of them and their dedication to their work.”
The Florida Tech flight team is open to all students, not just those studying aeronautics. Competition tryouts are held each fall and up to 16 members are chosen to compete in regionals.
The team is fully funded by its members, who pay for every hour that they fly, from practice to competition. As they continue to improve, they hope to receive more support to afford more practice time.
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Here is the full list of events and placements for Florida Tech’s flight team:
Certified Flight Instructor, 14th place
Michael Rovida
Unlimited Navigation, 15th place
Pilot: Matthew Berris
Safety pilot: Rebecca Berris
Crew Resource Management, 16th place
Pilot flying: Matthew Berris,
Pilot monitoring: Ian Bowen
Instrument Simulated Flight, 19th place
Matthew Berris
Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation, 20th place
Jayden Alexander
Outstanding Team Member
Riley Haley
Team Events
Ground Events Championship, 21st place
Florida Tech
Flight Events Championship, 25th place
Florida Tech
Judges Trophy, 25th place
Florida Tech
Safecon Championship, 26th place
Florida Tech
