Most people are unaware of the fact that ULM has a flight team. In fact, the aviation depart­ment dates back to training WWII pilots in navigation in the 1930’s. ULM’s flight team consists of a diverse 12-member team rang­ing from non-aviation majors to seniors in the department.

This year’s National In­tercolleigate Flying Assoca­tion, or NIFA, competition for ULM’s region was held in Killeen, Texas, on Nov. 3-6 and hosted by Central Texas Col­lege. This year, ULM placed fourth overall in regionals with 287 points in total from nine dif­ferent events and are awaiting the national board’s decision on qualifying for the 2010-2011 NIFA National Competition. It will be hosted by Ohio State University May 16-21, 2011.

Students competed in ground events (written exams; simula­tors; etc.) or flight events indi­vidually or in two-membered groups. Out of the 12 competitors, seven of them placed in the top rankings of several events. Trevor Hall, co-captain and ground captain of the aviation team, placed top 10 in five dif­ferent events putting him in fourth place overall.

“I am honored to be a student of ULM and a member of Loui­siana’s top-ranked flight team and aviation program,” Hall said. “A lot of time and dedication was put into getting ULM back on top again. At the rate they are going, it seems likely that over the next few years ULM will be a national contender in intercol­legiate aviation.”

Though relatively small, ULM’s Flight Team and Avia­tion department have dedicated and passionate students that will continue to improve the pro­gram in the years to come.