Western Michigan University SkyBroncos Precision Flight Team

Western Michigan University's SkyBroncos Precision Flight Team is the official university-sanctioned flying team of Western Michigan University[1][2][3]

The Official logo of the Western Michigan University SkyBroncos Precision Flight Team

Founded in 1946,[3][4] the SkyBroncos compete in the NIFA (National Intercollegiate Flying Association) professional organization series of competitions as a forum of competing and learning for aviation students from colleges all around the United States.[5] As of 2016, the SkyBroncos have won the NIFA National Championship award five times, and qualified for competition at the national level for twenty straight years.[1][6] As of 2016, the SkyBroncos operate two Cessna 150 aircraft. These aircraft are used to compete in various NIFA flying events,[7] including the Short-field Landing Event as well as the Power Off Landing Event. Some of the core competitive ground events are: Aircraft Recognition and Identification, E6B Manual Flight Computer Accuracy and S.C.A.N (Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation).

History
The National Championship banner for the SkyBroncos located in the main hangar at the College of Aviation in Battle Creek, Michigan

The SkyBroncos have roots dating back to 1946,[8][9] starting as a flying club[10][11] for aviators returning from World War II.[12] In one of their first years competing, the team won the NIFA National Championship in 1947. The team went on to win the 1948 Championship as well, and have since won three more National trophies; 1983, 1998,[1] and 2002.[6][8][13]

Purpose

The SkyBroncos compete within the realm of NIFA, and were founded to further knowledge in the aviation field.

Close to thirty schools attend the national competition each year.[5][14] Prominent aviation schools include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the University of North Dakota, Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, Ohio State University and Western Michigan University.[15] The national competition is held at an airport close to a university with an active flight department. In one week of competition, the airport will host a few thousand aircraft operations, far more than for most any other week of the year.

Aircraft

The SkyBroncos' two aircraft, N3258V[16] and N6226K,[17] a 1975 and 1976 model year Cessna 150 are both owned and maintained by Western Michigan University, however are operated solely by the SkyBroncos.[18] Each aircraft is powered by a Continental Motors O-200 reciprocating engine. Lines of white paint are frequently applied to the tires of each aircraft to help identify where on the runway the aircraft touches down.

The two aircraft operated by the SkyBroncos, N3258V and N6226K

Events

The SkyBroncos compete in multiple aviation related ground and flying events during each competition. The three main ground events in which the SkyBroncos compete in are: Aircraft Recognition and Identification, Computer Accuracy, and Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation.[7]

See also

References
  1. Benenson, Tom (2000). Flying Magazine. Winter Park, Florida: Glenn Sandridge. p. 71. ISSN 0015-4806.
  2. "Michigan Aviation". Michigan Aeronautics Commission: 90. 1998 [1968]. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  3. Western Michigan University Undergraduate Catalog 1957-1958. VOL 52, NO.4. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Western Michigan University. 1957. p. 278.
  4. Selden, Paul (1976). The complete Kalamazoo: a guide to entertainment, dining, sports, local history, survival, & sundry sources of amusement. Kalamazoo: Selden. p. 43.
  5. Leusch, John. "Warm future ahead for Winans". Basketball Focus. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
  6. "Toledo Blade - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  7. "Events & Rules". The NIFA. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  8. "WMU College of Aviation celebrating 75 years of aviation education in 2014". MLive.com. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
  9. "Western Michigan University Aviation Student Council - Aviation Student Organizations". www.wmuasc.org. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
  10. Stine, Leo (1980). Western-- a twentieth century university: a case history of Western Michigan University. New Issues Press. p. 15. ISBN 9780932826015.
  11. "People's Forum". The Journal-Register. Medina, N.Y. May 18, 1981. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  12. Zinser, Lester (2014). PILOT LOGBOOK LIES AND MORE. XLIBRIS. p. 56. ISBN 978-1493185351.
  13. Massie, Larry (2003). Brown and golden memories:. Kalamazoo, Michigan: Western Michigan University. pp. 115, 231, 271. ISBN 1580440789.
  14. "NIFA - Schools". NIFA. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
  15. "Sky Broncos capture third in national championship". General Aviation News. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
  16. "AviationDB - Aviation Database - Aircraft N3258V". AviationDB. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
  17. "N6226K Aircraft Registration ✈ FlightAware". FlightAware. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
  18. "Cessna CE-150 | Aviation | Western Michigan University". wmich.edu. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
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