AF Academy's Flying Team gets top prize at national competition

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, UNITED STATES

11.14.2019

Story by Raymond Bowden 

U.S. Air Force Academy

The Air Force Academy’s Flying Team took first place at a regional flying competition at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, Colorado, Oct. 21-26.

It’s the cadet Flying Team’s 33rd consecutive win at the Region 1 National Intercollegiate Flying Association Safety and Flight Evaluation Contest.

The cadets topped five other competing teams, outscoring the No. 2 competitor, 865 to 452.5. Cadet 1st Class Pat Timmons was the No. 1 overall top-scoring contestant and No. 2 top pilot.

“I was super excited to see that my hard work paid off and I competed well, but I was more excited to see the team win and my teammates do well,” he said.

Flying Team member Cadet 2nd Class Katarina Kowar appreciates the camaraderie shared by the competing pilots.

“Flying competitions allow us to capitalize on our shared passion in a fun, team-oriented way,” she said.

Team Results

-- Cadet 1st Class Pat Timmons: No. 1, overall top-scoring contestant and No. 2 top pilot

-- Cadet 1st Class Jason Brenholdt: No. 1, aircraft preflight and simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation

-- Cadet 2nd Class Ray Metzger: No. 1, aircraft identification and traditional navigation

-- Cadet 2nd Class Leo Cheshire: No. 1, computer accuracy

-- Cadet 1st Class Peter Shannon: No. 1, ground trainer and power-off landings

-- Cadet 1st Class Alex Brown: No. 1, power-on landings

-- Cadets 1st Class Dylan Zorn and Josiah Bierle: No. 1, message drop

[Editor’s note: The 306th Flying Training Group manages the Academy’s airmanship programs for cadets, including the Air Force’s Initial Flight Training program, powered flight, soaring and parachuting courses. The group, assigned to Air Education and Training Command but based at the Academy, provides initial flight training and identifies cadets for undergraduate flight training. The 557th FTS, assigned to the 306th FTG has conducted flight training for cadets since 1974.]

• Date Taken: 11.14.2019
• Date Posted: 12.10.2019 16:27
• Story ID: 352552
• Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US