Flying Events
Short-Field Landing
The objective of
this event is to takeoff, fly a normal traffic
pattern, and land on a target line drawn
on the runway. Penalty points are scored
for every foot away from this target line, up to
200 feet long and 100 feet short. Failure
to land within these limits results in a 400
point penalty. Additional points may be
charged for poorly flown traffic patterns,
adding power on final approach, poor landing
technique, and failing to land in a full stall
attitude with full flaps. During
competition, contestants fly in heats of five
aircraft. Each heat makes two or three
landings. The two best landings are used
to determine the winner.
Power-Off Landing
The power-off
landing event is very similar to the short-field
landing event. The objective is the same,
except power must be reduced to idle when abeam
the target line on downwind. The
contestant must then glide their aircraft
precisely through the traffic pattern and land
as close as possible to the target line.
As with short-field landings, the two best
landings are used to determine the winner.
Navigation
This is a precision
navigation event, in which a pilot and a
navigator must fly to specific coordinates using
only a chart, a timer, and a compass. Electronic navigation
instruments will be covered by judges prior to
the event. The pilot is given 30 minutes
to plot the course and determine times,
headings, and fuel burn for each leg of the
flight. The pilot and navigator must then
fly this course and identify checkpoints on the
ground. Penalty points are assessed for
failure to visually identify checkpoints, errors
in expected arrival times at checkpoints, and
errors in expected total fuel burn.
Message Drop
In this event,
contestants fly no less than 200 feet above the
ground and attempt to drop a message container
as close as possible to a target on the ground.
The message container consists of a light balsa
wood block, a streamer, and a message
identifying the contestant. Aircraft fly
in heats of five, with each heat flying one low
pass over two ground targets. While the
pilot flies, the drop-master directs the pilot
and decides when to drop a message container on
each target. The winner is determined by
the lowest total distance from the containers to
their targets.
Ground Events
Computer Accuracy
 Contestants are
tested on their proficiency and accuracy in
performing calculations with a manual flight
computer, such as an E-6B or CR-2.
Calculations include time, speed, and distance
problems, unit conversions, wind problems,
weight and balance calculations, and much more.
The tests are timed, and typically consist of
30-45 questions. Scores are based on the
total number of correct answers, with shortest
completion time used to break a tie.
2005 National Computer Accuracy Test
2004 Regional Computer Accuracy Test
2003 Regional Computer Accuracy Test
2001 National Computer Accuracy Test
Simulated
Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation (SCAN)
This event tests a
wide range of aeronautical knowledge though
simulated cross-country flight planning.
The timed tests typically consist of 40
questions about enroute navigation, weight and
balance, aircraft performance, weather
interpretation, aeronautical charts, Federal
Aviation Regulations, and more. Scores are
based on the total number of correct answers,
with shortest completion time used to break a
tie.
2005 National SCAN Test
Aircraft Recognition
In this event,
contestants must quickly identify aircraft
displayed on a slide presentation. These
aircraft pictures
are displayed for three seconds.
Contestants then have fifteen seconds to
identify
the manufacturer, model number, and model name of the
aircraft (Ex: Cessna 172 "Skyhawk"),
before the presentation continues.
Sample NIFA
Presentation
Sample NIFATest*
* Does not match
sample presentation
Airliners.net Aircraft Recognition Quiz
Preflight
Inspection
For this
competition, an aircraft is "bugged" with at
least 30 discrepancies which affect the
airworthiness of the aircraft. Contestants
have 15 minutes to perform a thorough preflight
inspection and identify as many discrepancies as
possible. Some examples of discrepancies
include missing documents, inoperative
equipment, misplaced tools, missing safety wire,
fluid leaks, etc. Contestants are scored
on technique and proper identification of
grounding items. Shortest completion time
is used as a tie-breaker.
Ground Trainer
(Simulator)
In this event,
contestants are tested in a flight simulator or
ground trainer. They must fly a
predetermined pattern, which features changes in
heading, airspeed, and altitude at specific
times. Usually scored by computer, contestants
receive penalty points for any deviations in
heading, airspeed, altitude, and climb/descent
rate. The contestant with the lowest score
wins.
2004 Regional Ground Trainer Pattern
2003 Regional Ground Trainer Pattern
National SAFECON Events
Crew Resource
Management (CRM/LOFT)
During this National
SAFECON event, two contestants from each team
act as a flight crew in a flight simulator and
react to simulated problems and emergencies.
Contestants in this event must be instrument
rated, preferably multi-engine rated. This
event tests the contestants' problem-solving
abilities in a team environment. Penalty
points will be added for errors, weighted by
severity. The crew with the lowest score
wins.
IFR Simulated Flight
This National
SAFECON event tests instrument flying skills in
a flight simulator. Instrument rated
contestants fly a simulated IFR flight, which
may include VOR and NDB tracking, radar vectors,
a non-precision approach, a precision approach,
a missed approach, a landing, and all required
IFR communications. The event is scored by
computer, with penalty points charged for
deviations, based on the tolerances of the
instrument rating Practical Test Standards
(PTS).
Certified Flight
Instructor Event
In this National
SAFECON event, one CFI from each team prepares
and teaches
a lesson on a predetermined subject. If
weather and time permits, the CFI then teaches the lesson
in flight. Contestants are judged on
the thoroughness and effectiveness of
their instruction.
Please see the
NIFA website for detailed information about
event rules and scoring.
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