Embry-Riddle Teams Score Second and Third in National Flight Meet

Prescott, Ariz./Daytona Beach, Fla.,  May 25, 2010 – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s two renowned student flight teams placed second and third at this year’s National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s (NIFA) Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON), hosted May 17-22 by Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind.

The university’s Daytona Beach, Fla., team, the Eagles, held second place in the nation for the second year in a row. The team won the national championship in 1992.

The Prescott, Ariz., team, the Golden Eagles, improved to third place, up from their fourth-place ranking of last year. The team won national championships in 1993, 1997, 1997, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2008.

This year’s competition involved 330 pilots from 29 collegiate aviation programs around the nation. The University of North Dakota’s team scored the most points overall.

Sherman Carll of the Eagles and William Jacobson of the Golden Eagles were the standout performers on their respective teams. Carll was named National Top Pilot and he won the Short Field Landings competition.

In the Aircraft Recognition event, Embry-Riddle teams placed eight competitors in the top 20. 

The Eagles had 23 finishes in the top 10, and the Golden Eagles had 21. Carll led the Eagles in winning six trophies in the top three spots, while the Golden Eagles’ Jacobson won three top-three trophies. Both teams had 12 individual competitors place in the top 10.

Reflecting Embry-Riddle’s international status, the Eagles team this year was made up of students from Croatia, England, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, and Poland, as well as the United States, making it the most diverse team competing at SAFECON.

“Our team is a testament of the great things that can be achieved when a diverse group of people focus their efforts and strive to accomplish a goal,” said Les Wesbrooks, the Eagles’ coach.

 “Our goal was to improve from last year, and we succeeded,” said Peter Grey, adviser and coach of the Prescott team. “We are pleased with our effort and will continue to work hard for next year.”

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