Flying competitions
 

Hi I am a junior in high school. I was wondering if there are any flying comptetions out there in which you can earn money or prizes for demonstrating outstanding flying capability. I was thinking at an airline flight training center high school kids could compete against each other to see who has more skills at flying a particular aircraft.

Airlines have no interest in that sort of thing, most of them are close to bankruptcy and just trying to survive. Also, Airline training centers use only simulators, almost never real airplanes.

There are college-level flying clubs which do aerobatic competitions, I assume all of the aviation universities have them and probably some other universities too. There are also local clubs, but I don't think there are any prizes unless you make it to the national professional level. You would have to own, rent, or borrow an airplane.

This only applies to aerobatics, there no competitions or prizes for just flying a normal airplane in a normal manner.

Since any decent airline has thousands of applicants for each pilot job opening, they don't really feel the need to encourage aviation in young people. You might look at the civilil air patrol...kind of like boy scouts for pilots.

Do you have to run miles, do really hard exercises, and go through a basic training type of course before you can join the Civil Air Patrol?

How about learning to fly gliders? Cheap, builds crucial stick and rudder skills, and you can compete.

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National Intercollegiate Flying Association sponsors flying competitions all over the country.

I competed for 3 years while in College. Great times!

Actually, there are competitions for flying "normally". SAFECON is just such a competititon. Most universities with a decent size aviation program compete in flying and ground competitions ranging from Accuracy Landings and navigating a preset course to cross country planning and aircraft identification.

No basic training for CAP. Promotion in the cadet program required you to run a mile in a certain amount of time, and x-amount of push ups and sit ups. Of course it may have changed in 8 years...I'm not sure what you mean by 'hard' exercises?

It wouldn't hurt your future pilot-medical-health to run a couple times a week or do some pull-ups/push-ups etc...

As much as I love to hate ERAU, and wouldn't wish it upon most people.... they did/do have one nice thing... and that was the sport aviation club. If you get involved in that they can guide you to aerobatic competitions in the Pitts and gliders (I think)... as well as learn tailwheel in their J-3 (which is always a blast to fly) - they rely on donations and member dues to maintain their aircraft... so the prices are very reasonable all things considered.

There is also a 'flight team' of 'cutting-edge aviators' at ERAU... I'm not sure exactly what they do... but you can tell who they are because they wear these blue jackets that say 'flight team' with their names on them. If that sorta stuff tickles your pickle.... have at it.

And the *bugged* pre-flight right? Or is that the National Intercollegiate Flying Association? I competed a few times in college also for the Flying Aggies (Oklahoma State's flying club)

USMCFLYR

No, but if you are young and interested in an aviation career you might want to take up physical fitness as a hobby. A fit person has a much better chance of keeping his/her medical until age 65, plus appearance counts when hiring...airlines usually prefer a professional appearance, which means fit and conservative for pilots.

Oh I'm fit, I play baseball and football. I just was wondering if it is as demanding as a military basic training.

NIFA is the organization, and the SAFECON is the regional/national event. I had the opportunity to judge one years ago - it was a blast!

Nope, not at all.

In fact, cadets have PT in order to run up the ranks. Senior members are not required.

I did Civil Air Patrol in High School and now in college Im competing in NIFA SAFECONS. Both are very good starts at meeting people and sharpening skills. I would definetely recommend it to anyone thinking about it!

Check out the International Aerobatic Club IAC - International Aerobatic Club There are both powered & glider classes at local regional aerobatic competitions. You'll have to get some aerobatic training but its fun and a great goal to shoot for. Check out the competition schedule for your region and go to one, meet some people and volunteer to help out. Its a place to start.