For the second straight year, the Farmingdale State College aviation flying team has won the northeast regional competition sponsored by the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA). The Republic Raiders, comprised of eight students enrolled in the Department of Aviation, beat six other teams – including the U.S. Military Academy team at West Point – in both the Flight and Ground competitions.
The four-day regionals, which were hosted by Dowling College at Brookhaven Calabro Airport, are a stepping stone to the NIFA nationals, which will be held at Ohio State University in May 2015.
“This achievement is on par with winning the NCAA division championship, and now we are on our way to the Rose Bowl,” said Lawrence Lopez, Director of Aviation Operations at Farmingdale.
“These NIFA results validate the quality of our flight program,” said Michael Canders, associate professor and Flight Center Advisor. “Our students and graduates continue to excel as safe and skilled pilots.”
NIFA’s mission is to develop and advance aviation education; promote safety in aviation; foster cooperation between aviation educators and the aviation industry, and provide an arena for collegiate aviation competition.
Unique in SUNY, Farmingdale’s Department of Aviation offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Aeronautical Science – Professional Pilot and Aviation Administration. Part of the School of Engineering Technology, the department enrolls 250 students.
