Auburn Aviation named top collegiate program for second straight year
For the second year in a row, Auburn University has been recognized as the most outstanding all-around collegiate aviation program in the nation.
Auburn’s School of Aviation was presented with the prestigious Loening trophy by Delta Air Lines and the National Intercollegiate Flying Association at the 2023 SAFECON competition. The award recognizes the school’s commitment to creating a culture of excellence and enduring legacy.
“The Loening trophy is the ‘Super Bowl’ of all collegiate aviation competitions,” said School Director James Witte. “Pride, respect and humility are all part of the award; Auburn students have maintained the standards of the Auburn Creed penned by George Petrie and have brought a point of pride, respect and humility to the Auburn Family.”
The award committee considers academics, community involvement, aviation skills and their advancement, a comprehensive safety program, professionalism, and a pro-active enhancement of the future of aviation when deciding which institution will receive the Loening trophy.
“Receiving this award for the second year is further proof of the meaningful work of our aviation faculty and staff to create impactful educational experiences for our students,” said Dean Jason Hicks. “This award solidifies our place as an exemplar of what a collegiate aviation program should provide its students.”
The Loening trophy, collegiate aviation’s oldest and rarest award, was first awarded in 1929 by a judging panel that included aviation legends such as Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. The award itself is named after Grover Loening, an aeronautical engineer who worked with the Wright Brothers.
In addition to the Loening trophy, the School of Aviation’s War Eagle Flying Team won several individual awards at the 2023 SAFECON competition.
Individual awards include:
Luke Russo - Placed 1st in the Certified Flight Instructor event
Riley Hoag - Placed 1st in the Instrument Simulated Flight event
Riley Colliau and Riley Hoag (Nav. Team) - Placed 1st in the Unlimited Navigation event
The War Eagle Flying Team is a student-run organization for Auburn flight students passionate about aviation. Each year, the team competes in NIFA’s SAFECON, a national competition for collegiate aviators. Teams and individuals are judged on academics, safety, professionalism and more.
For more information about the School of Aviation at Auburn University, visit here.
Tags: Aviation
Related Articles
-
Meet James Birdsong, Auburn's aviation program coordinator
Birdsong is responsible for all facets of Auburn University's aviation program. -
Auburn School of Aviation’s Hearn, Moorman honored with Iron Eagle Award for performing successful emergency landing earlier this summer
On Tuesday, Maggie Hearn and Elizabeth Moorman were honored for their courage and resilience with Iron Eagle Awards. -
Auburn School of Aviation leaders discuss state of aviation industry, university’s role in feeding pipeline
Leaders from the School of Aviation discuss what Auburn is doing to help the aviation industry. -
Auburn University’s School of Aviation inks career pathway partnership with Southwest Airlines
The pathway is for individuals interested in pursuing their university degree while building post-graduate flight instructing time within their college’s flight program. -
War Eagle Women place third among collegiate teams, sixth overall in Air Race Classic 2023
The Auburn University School of Aviation’s War Eagle Women earned top awards at the 2023 Air Race Classic in June. -
Leading airlines seek partnerships with Auburn University
Multiple U.S. airlines have signed talent pipeline agreements with Auburn University to recruit the best aviation graduates in the country.