Flight Team Competition 2004: Daytona Beach, FL Region IX Safecon

NIFA’s Mission ► The National Intercollegiate Flying Association was formed for the purposes of developing and advancing aviation education; to promote, encourage, and foster safety; 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.

What We Do ► The Miami Dade College Flight Team is a member of NIFA along with several other premiere institutions of higher learning, such as: ► Embry Riddle ► Florida Tech ► Jacksonville University ► Auburn University ► BCC ► Lynn University ► Participating in SAFECON means that we are participants in competition with these (and others) schools in an effort to show off our talents as pilots, as well as show that we are effective and more importantly: safe

Why We Are Important ► Miami Dade College Flight Team represents the 150,000+ students at the college, and the millions of residents of Miami Dade County in rigorous competition at NIFA’s regional safety conventions (SAFECON) ► We are a valuable resource to the college to help gain recognition for our aviation program ► We represent the college as a whole, not just the Homestead Campus, our home

Competition ► This highly technical competition includes areas such as Navigational Mathematics, Federal Air Regulations applicable in real world scenarios, and actual Precision Flight maneuvers including simulated emergency landings

Budget ► The average cost to attend one Regional Competition is growing. To take 15 students costs nearly $7,000 for 5 days. ► These costs do NOT include money to PRACTICE ► Airplane rental costs: $67/hour wet C-152, $78/hour wet C-172, $105/hour wet C-172 SP ► Ideal practice per landing event is ten hours per pilot. ► Average of 20 hours total flying PRACTICE time X minimum of $67/hour = $1,340 (or at a maximum rate of $105/hour a total of $2,100) ► Airplane rental fees are increasing with increasing fuel costs ► These numbers apply only to the Regional Competition, and do not include a secondary budget to go to the National level if we qualify. ► Practicing would allow us to be more competent and skillful, allowing us to qualify for the National level of Competition

How The College Can Help ► The Aviation Flight-Team is grateful for the assistance that the College gives to us, but we can do more ► Granting funds earlier in the year can help begin practicing earlier ► Granting more money can aid us in becoming better and safer, promoting the college with higher honors and recognition ► Practices are important ► We are a non-athletic competitive team deserving the same attention that other competitive teams get

Vision ► More frequent flying practices ► Miami Dade Foundation and Corporate Sponsorship ► Student life funds “Off the Top” college- wide ► Host a Regional Competition ► Funds raised by students would go to student sponsored activities, instead of costs of Competition