01
TRN-01Practice
Weekly Event Training
Ground events, landing practice, navigation prep, and team briefings.
Fall and spring semestersKent State Airport · 1G3
StatusRecurringFall and spring semestersKent State Airport · 1G3
Kent State Airport1G3 · 41°09′05″N 81°24′54″W
Aircraft N222FDCallsign · Kent 22 / Deuce
N222FD · Spirit of the Flying Deuce
Walk the lineBoard Kent 22
Kent State pilots train at 1G3 for NIFA SAFECON flight and ground events. Follow one competition aircraft from the ramp to the cockpit.
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Mission briefing · NIFA SAFECON
Precision starts before the engine does
The National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) runs SAFECON, the Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference. It is the premier collegiate aviation competition in the United States. Student pilots are evaluated on strict standards of aircraft control, navigation accuracy, and procedural discipline across multiple flight and ground events.
The Kent State Precision Flight Team competes regionally and nationally, representing the College of Aeronautics and Engineering. Our pilots train year-round in Cessna 150/152s and Cessna 172s out of Kent State Airport (1G3), northeast Ohio's center for collegiate flight training.
Events include Power-Off Landings, Precision Navigation, Message Drop, Computer Accuracy, and Ground Trainer. Each event demands a blend of hand-flying skill, aeronautical knowledge, and composure under pressure.
NIFA Region 3Kent State Airport · 1G341°09′05″N 81°24′54″W
Mission dataKSU / NIFA 03
0+
Years Competing
in NIFA SAFECON
0
National Podium
top-three finishes
0
Active Pilots
on current roster
1G3
BRIEF
TRAIN
COMPETE
DEBRIEF
Dispatch board · Team schedule
Three routes. One standard.
02
SEL-02Tryouts
New Member Evaluation
Interest meeting, team expectations, ground knowledge, and pilot fit review.
Early fallCollege of Aeronautics and Engineering
StatusSeasonalEarly fallCollege of Aeronautics and Engineering
03
CMP-03Competition
NIFA Region 3 SAFECON
Regional competition that determines qualification and national readiness.
Annual regional windowHost school announced by NIFA
StatusQualifyingAnnual regional windowHost school announced by NIFA
Crew manifest // 2026
Five officers. One heading.
The pilots and officers who keep Kent State Precision Flight operating on heading, on budget, and competition-ready.
CREW 01
Captain
Linus Vazquez
The teammate everyone goes to and the captain everyone trusts.
CREW 02
Co-Captain
Gavin Barzan
Equal parts mentor, motivator, and steady source of team morale.
CREW 03
Treasurer
Zachary Lach
Builds the financial foundation the team flies on.
CREW 04
Secretary
Sadie Martin
The bridge between faculty leadership and every team member.
CREW 05
Safety Officer
Kasen King
The reason we all make it home.
Competition flight log
Measured in points. Earned in inches.
Track Kent State's regional and national SAFECON record, from individual event wins to championship totals.
012025 flight events
042025 event wins
KSU-01 · NIFA Region 3Verified competition record
YearEventPlace
- 2025Flight Events Championship1st137 pts
- 2025Ground Trainer1stLinus Vazquez, Daniel Aurand, Jeff McCabe
- 2025Message Drop1stRobby Karliak / Gavin Chu
- 2025Short Field Landing1stFrederick Stamper
- 2025SAFECON Championship2nd185 pts
- 2024SAFECON Championship3rd131 pts
- 2024Flight Events Championship3rd91 pts
- 2024Ground Events Championship3rd40 pts
- 2023Power-Off Landing1stCole Hebbard
- 2023Short Field Landing1stGeorge Ludwiczak
- 2023SAFECON Championship2nd164 pts
- 2022Message Drop1stHolly Csaszar / Takashi Kunu
- 2022SAFECON Championship3rd150 pts
Official NIFA result PDFsResults archive
Recruitment checkpoint · Join the team
Your seat is earned on the line
The team is open to Kent State students who want to sharpen aviation knowledge, represent the university, and train for NIFA SAFECON competition. Pilots and non-pilots can both contribute through flight events, ground events, logistics, fundraising, and leadership.
Consistent practice attendance
Professional cockpit discipline
Willingness to train in both flight and ground events
Team-first attitude during travel, fundraising, and competition
Recruitment Preflight
Interactive readiness check
Items confirmed00 / 04
Support the Team
Keep Kent State in the air
The Kent State Precision Flight Team is entirely student-run. Every dollar goes directly toward NIFA SAFECON entry fees, aircraft rental time in Cessna 172s and Piper Arrows at Kent State Airport (1G3), and travel to regional and national competitions.
We receive no dedicated university budget. Alumni, local businesses, and aviation enthusiasts make it possible to send a full team every year. Your contribution keeps student pilots in the air and on the flight line.
All contributions are processed securely via Square. For sponsorship inquiries, see the Sponsors section below or reach out through our contact form.
Student-Run100% to OperationsSecure via Square
SUPPORT · KSU-01
Common Support Levels
Mission fuelSet a level
Choose final amount in Square
Approved support · Partner livery
The names behind the mission
Organizations and individuals whose generosity keeps the team competition-ready year after year.
