ALPA Applauds NIFA SAFECON Top Pilot Award Recipients 

Congratulations to David Edmonds of the University of North Dakota, who took top pilot honors at this year's ALPA-sponsored National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) at Ohio State University. Kudos also go out to Mike Carroll of Southern Illinois University, who placed second, and Matthew Park of the U.S. Air Force Academy, who took third.

NIFA's National Top Pilot Award goes to the pilot earning the greatest number of points in power-off landings, short-field approach and landings, navigation, ground trainer, and preflight inspection and SCAN. In addition, the winner must place fifth or higher in one of these three flying events--power-off landings, short-field approach landing, or navigation. The winner and his or her school each receives $1,000.

The annual SAFECON event is a national competition that brings together more than 300 students from 30 colleges and universities from across the country to develop and advance aviation education, with strong emphasis on safety.

Student Pilots Honored at ALPA Air Safety Forum

This year’s ALPA Air Safety Forum (ASF) took place in Washington, D.C. on August 30-31, 2010. After two days of presentations, panel discussions, and meetings, the ASF closed with its Awards Dinner. During the evening, the Air Line Pilots Association celebrated pilots who have distinguished themselves by their outstanding service or their exemplary performance. Amongst the ALPA pilot award winners were two collegiate aviators who were recognized for their skills and performance in collegiate aviation events. James Pouget of Centennial College in Ontario, Canada is the winner of the 2010 Webster Trophy for the top amateur pilot in Canada (fourth from right) and Sherman Carll, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach is the winner of the top collegiate pilot at this year's National Intercollegiate Flying Association's competition (third from right). ALPA proudly sponsors both events. Left to right, Capt. Dave Ryter (American Eagle), ALPA Education Committee chairman; Capt. Rod Lypchuk, Jazz Master Executive Council vice-chairman; Capt. John Prater, ALPA president; Capt. Brian Shury, Jazz MEC chairman and ALPA Canada Board member; Pouget; Carll; Capt. Dan Adamus (Jazz), ALPA Canada Board president and ALPA executive vice-president, Group C; and Capt. John Sluys (Alaska); ALPA Professional Development Group chairman and ALPA executive vice-president, Group B4.