Bowling Green State University will host the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region III competition Oct. 4-10. (BGSU photo/Craig Bell)
Student pilots from seven universities will showcase their skills in flight, navigation and aircraft safety at BGSU
Bowling Green State University will host the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region III competition from Oct. 4–10, bringing together more than 100 student pilots from seven regional universities. Coming off a recent AABI reaccreditation and three straight national championship appearances, the BGSU Falcon Flight Team aims to advance to the national competition in May 2027.
Key Highlights
EVENT: NIFA Region III competition
WHEN: Oct. 4-10, 2026
WHERE: BGSU
Falcon Flight Team will take on the region's best student pilots
BGSU pilots will compete against Ohio State University, Ohio University, Kent State University and institutions from Michigan and West Virginia.
More than 100 pilots will test their skills in flying, safety, navigation and more
Students will compete in cross-country navigation, message drop, power-off and short-field landing, aircraft recognition, preflight inspection and simulations.
BGSU aims for a fourth consecutive trip to NIFA Nationals
The BGSU Falcon Flight Team has performed well at previous regional events and is coming off a third consecutive trip to nationals, where pilots faced more than 500 competitors from 30 colleges.
"Our team members dedicate time and effort outside of classwork to practice for these events, not only making them better competitors, but also more well-rounded aviators. We had our highest overall score as a team at last year's regional competition, and we aim to repeat that success again this year."
CATHERINE SMITH
DIRECTOR, BGSU SCHOOL OF AVIATION
Bowling Green State University is home to one of the largest aviation programs in Ohio and the nation, as well as one of the few universities with an on-campus airport. As a result, the skies above BGSU are often buzzing with planes flown by student pilots. This fall, BGSU is welcoming pilots from six other universities as it hosts the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region III competition from Oct. 4-10.
Each of the seven teams will bring up to 15 aviation student competitors to compete in events that test their skills in flight, aircraft recognition, navigation, preflight inspection and more. BGSU pilots will compete against Ohio State University, Ohio University, Kent State University and institutions from Michigan and West Virginia.
The Falcon Flight Team is made up of students of all majors and is one of the University's many student organizations that allow students to explore their interests and develop leadership skills outside of class.
The BGSU Falcon Flight Team has performed well at previous regional events and is coming off a third consecutive trip to nationals, where student aviators faced more than 500 competitors from 30 colleges. After the team’s performance, including receiving the Collegiate Aviation Progress Award, Ohio Rep. Haraz Ghanbari presented the Falcon Flight Team with a certificate recognizing its achievements.
"Our team has worked so hard to improve ground knowledge and flying abilities," said Catherine Smith, director of the BGSU School of Aviation. "We had our highest overall score as a team at last year's regional competition, and we aim to repeat that success again this year. Our team members dedicate time and effort outside of classwork to practice for these events, not only making them better competitors, but also more well-rounded aviators."
Events at this year’s regional competition include:
- Cross-country navigation
- Message drop
- Power-off and short-field landing events
- Computer accuracy ground events
- Aircraft recognition
- Preflight inspection
- Ground trainer simulations
BGSU last hosted the NIFA regional competition in 2022, one year after earning accreditation from the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).
Four years later, this year’s competition follows the University’s reaccreditation, with both the flight technology and operations and aviation management and operations programs receiving the formal seal of approval. AABI accreditation is considered the gold standard in aviation, representing the highest level of industry-specific recognition a four-year institution can achieve.
Following the regional NIFA competition, top-performing teams will advance to nationals in May 2027. Bowling Green’s Falcon Flight Team aims to excel at regionals and qualify for nationals for a fourth consecutive year.
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Updated: 09/30/2026 05:38PM