What flight competition teaches future commercial pilots
In 2022, CAU's Flight Team earned its first invitation to the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Safecon competition. Since then, the team has steadily advanced through regional and national competition, earning top finishes against some of the nation's most established collegiate aviation programs.
This year marked another milestone as CAU's Flight Team finished among the top 10 teams nationally, reflecting years of dedication, preparation, and continuous improvement. For team member Shaun Okuda, one of the most rewarding aspects has been helping newer members understand what success at that level requires.
“In the past, our problem was we didn't know what it felt like to really be at the top, to win,” said Okuda. “So being able to show the new members this is what it takes to win, and to actually be able to show them that you get results from doing so, I'd say that makes me feel quite proud.”
NIFA Safecon challenges students in a variety of events designed to test aviation knowledge and skill. Competitors participate in activities ranging from aircraft preflight inspection and navigation events to crew resource management (CRM), power-off landings, and precision flight challenges.
While each event emphasizes different aspects of aviation, all reinforce capabilities that professional pilots rely on every day: communication, situational awareness, sound decision-making, workload management, and attention to detail.
The team's success extends beyond competitive results. CAU has earned recognition for its commitment to safety and professionalism, including multiple Competition Safety Awards and Team Sportsmanship Awards at both regional and national competitions. While the Safety Award recognizes a team's commitment to safe operations throughout the competition, the Sportsmanship Award is determined by voting from fellow participating institutions, reflecting the respect earned from peers across collegiate aviation.
“At CAU, safety is not something we take for granted; it is a core value embedded in our culture,” said Flight Team Coach Vanessa Collazo.
Those accomplishments reflect the culture the university seeks to foster throughout a student's training experience.
As aviation training continues to evolve, the industry is placing increased emphasis on developing competencies that go beyond aircraft control alone. Airlines and operators continue to value pilots who demonstrate effective communication, teamwork, leadership, adaptability, and sound judgment in addition to technical proficiency.
That focus on professional competencies aligns closely with another recent milestone for CAU. Earlier this year, the university became the first U.S. flight school selected to deploy Boeing's Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) Learning Library, providing students access to Boeing-developed learning resources focused on the knowledge, skills, and behaviors used in real-world flight operations.
Together, these experiences help students connect what they learn in the classroom, simulator, and cockpit while preparing them for the demands of professional aviation.
For aspiring commercial pilots, flight hours will always be an important part of training. Equally important, however, are the skills that help pilots operate safely, effectively, and confidently throughout their careers.
From national flight competition to Boeing's CBTA Learning Library, CAU continues to invest in opportunities that help students develop those capabilities and prepare for successful commercial pilot careers.
