Champaign, ILLINOIS (Parkland College) / October 14, 2015 — Lewis University welcomed several collegiate flight teams as participants in the 2015 Region VIII SAFECON. The competition was held at the Lewis University Airport (KLOT) over October 6th through October 10th, 2015.
The recent Regional event represents the first competition for the team from Parkland College Institute of Aviation and their finish in third place resulted in them being invited to the Nationals.
“We took third place,” said team member Fran Tao. “We are going to nationals! We are so happy that we qualified.” Other teams competing were Southern Illinois University, Lewis University, Purdue, Indiana State University, and Quincy University. The Nationals will be held May 2016 at Ohio State University.
Competition events for Team Parkland included preflight, navigation planning and flying, short field landing, power-off landing, ground trainer IFR simulation, and computer accuracy. SAFECON is a long established collegiate aviation competition dating to 1949.
Parkland College Institute of Aviation enrollees can earn an Associate’s Degree in Aviation, choosing a program option leading to an Associate in Science (Aviation) with transfer to a four-year school. Students can acquire a Private Pilot Certificate while completing Parkland AVI 101 and 120 courses. Students will earn the private pilot certification, an instrument rating, and the commercial pilot certificate in a sequential manner during Parkland’s program.
Read more about Parkland’s Flight Training program information.
Parkland College Institute of Aviation curriculum is designed to provide students with a pathway through a four-year institution and a bachelor’s degree while earning the certifications necessary to enter the commercial aviation job market.
“Many people are speaking about a shortage of pilots for airlines,” said Sybil Phillips, Chief Pilot and Director of Aviation Instruction for Parkland College. “To satisfy the demand for pilots the major airlines often draw from regional carriers who then must redouble their efforts to find qualified pilots.” Parkland College Institute of Aviation is well positioned to supply those regional carriers.
“The Institute of Aviation’s high standards of academic achievement, airmanship, and character are valued and respected by employers worldwide,” said Wendy Evans, recruiter for Parkland’s Institute of Aviation. This reputation and the alumni network aid in securing quality employment as graduates build time toward their R-ATP and throughout their careers in aviation.
The Institute of Aviation’s reputation of producing outstanding alumni dates back to its founding in 1946. Institute alumni fly for all major U.S. airlines and for military, corporate, cargo, and charter organizations worldwide. More than 3,000 Institute of Aviation graduates have gone on to train other pilots as instructors.
Parkland College is a community college located in northwest Champaign, Illinois. Through Parkland's program, students can earn a transferable Associate of Science in Aviation degree, FAA-approved private pilot certification, and commercial pilot ratings. Parkland is leasing the University of Illinois’ fleet of airplanes, equipment, and ground school facilities under a three-year agreement. More information can be found at http://www.parkland.edu/aviation.
