National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA)

05/26/2026

REMINDER! NIFA online store closes tomorrow, May 27th! Order your NIFA and SAFECON 2026 merchandise now!

Students, Judges, Volunteers, and NIFA Fans, today the NIFA SAFECON Store officially opens up once more!

The store will be open from May 13th-May 27th, 2026!

Orders will be shipped up to 3 weeks after the store closing date, not from the day that you place your order. All orders are processed when the store closes.

5 DAYS REMAINING UNTIL SAFECON 2026!!!

As always, stay turned for more NIFA news!!

See you all soon in Moline!

https://markitmyway.chipply.com/nifa

05/24/2026

Go Home Day!!!

Fly & drive back home safe y’all!!

Congratulations to all the students who were a part of SAFECON 2026!!

Special shoutout to this year’s National Champions, the Flying Salukis from SIU!!

It’s been an amazing week!! This has the best SAFECON weather we’ve had for Nationals in a few years!

A very special thank you to all the Judges, Coaches, Students and Volunteers for making SAFECON 2026 amazing!!

Thank you to quadcities for hosting SAFECON and we thank you for all your support!!

Thank you to Frasca, a FlightSafety International Company, and our numerous other supporters for their generosity for the students and we thank you so much for your contributions to NIFA!

This isn’t the end, more of to be continued…. until Regionals!!

Stay tuned for SAFECON 2027 news, as well as more NIFA news and posts to come!!

Soon on the back side of your contestant badges is a QR code with a survey about your experience for this years Nationals, we want to hear your feedback on how we can improve the experience for future SAFECON’s and NIFA events!

Fly safe, have fun and see you all again soon!




Quad Cities
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flightsafetyint
FlightSafety International

Director of Social Media, Carlo Espinosa officially signing off!
Cheers and have a wonderful Summer break!!

05/23/2026

All that remains of SAFECON 2026 is this evening's Awards Banquet, brought to you by FlightSafety International

Tonight's event is preceded by 106 years of intercollegiate flying competitions, and marks the conclusion of the 77th National SAFECON under the National Intercollegiate Flying Association.

A few items to follow along tonight, and learn more about our history:

Doors at the Rhythm City Casino open at 5pm CDT. Dinner is expected to begin around 5:35pm, with remarks and presentation of awards beginning at approximately 6:45pm (subject to slight change based on dinner flow).

The Awards Banquet live stream will be available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/NIFA_aero

The Awards Banquet Program can be used to follow along with the presentations: https://nifa.aflip.in/21765ff2b6.html

The SAFECON 2026 Program is available online as well & provides a rich history of NIFA, competing teams, events & awards, as well as a list of previous hosts & winners: https://nifa.aflip.in/9b601e9aa0.html

After the conclusion of the Awards Banquet, a full list of Official Results can be found on the Resources section our website: https://resonant-jumper-7c1.notion.site/SAFECON-Official-Results-8a087b3f36b74834be51a65cac127a19

Thank you for your interest and enjoy this evening's event! To learn more about how you can support NIFA, please visit https://www.nifa.aero/support

05/23/2026

This evenings Friday Night BBQ Social is brought to you by Aviator Assistant and Aviation Supplies and Academics!!

What a wonderful way to end off the wonderful work the students have made this week!

Thank you for you to ASA and Aviator Assistant for their continued support of NIFA!!






Aviator Assistant

Quad Cities
Quad Cities

05/23/2026

Yesterday the Power Off Landing Event was brought to you by Piper Aircraft!

Similar to the Short-Field Event, except that the power must be reduced and remain at idle on the downwind leg abeam the target line. The approach is made essentially by gliding for the remainder of the traffic pattern to touchdown, preferably on the target line.

Today, the weather cooperated and we were able to complete all 40 heats of Short Field Approach and landings, brought to you by the NIFA Council!

The objective of the event is to test the pilot's airmanship while flying a clean takeoff, traffic pattern, and landing on a target line. The distance in feet from where the aircraft's wheels initially touch the runway to the target line is the pilot's score. The lowest cumulative score from the two landings, plus technique and pattern penalty points, if any, wins!

Great job students and we will see the results at the banquet tomorrow evening!




piperaircraft
Piper Aircraft, Inc.

Quad Cities
quadcities
visitquadcities

05/22/2026

Preflight event is sponsored by the NIFA Council!

An aircraft is "bugged" with at least 30 unairworthy discrepancies.

Contestants are given 15 minutes to preflight the aircraft and find as many of the discrepancies as possible. Technique, proper handling of the aircraft, and thoroughness are also scored.




Quad Cities
quadcities
visitquadcities

05/22/2026

This years Achievement Awards is brought to you by the United States Air Force Reserve!

Competitors submit an application in advance of SAFECON, highlighting their accomplishments, community service, and aviation involvement.

Through the week of SAFECON, applicants are interviewed by a team of judges.







Quad Cities
visitquadcities

05/22/2026

The Certified Flight Instructor event is brought to you by the Pilots of FedEx!!

Certified Flight Instructors take part in a teaching competition. The event starts with the CFI preparing a predetermined subject. If weather and time permits, the CFI then teaches the lesson in flight.





Quad Cities
visitquadcities

05/22/2026

Friday’s Chick-fil-a lunch is brought to you by King Schools!!




King Schools
kingschools_flying


Quad Cities

05/22/2026

A very special thank you to Frasca, A FlightSafety International Company, for hosting our Industry Reception!!





Frasca International