The National Intercollegiate Flying Association announced this week that the Quad Cities International Airport and Visit Quad Cities will host a flight evaluation competition next year.
The National Intercollegiate Flying Association announced this week that the Quad Cities International Airport and Visit Quad Cities will host a flight evaluation competition next year. The event will take place May 18- 23, 2026. The Safety and Flight Evaluation and Conference (SAFECON) brings the best in collegiate aviation to the national stage. More than […]
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The National Intercollegiate Flying Association announced this week that the Quad Cities International Airport and Visit Quad Cities will host a flight evaluation competition next year.The event will take place May 18- 23, 2026. The Safety and Flight Evaluation and Conference (SAFECON) brings the best in collegiate aviation to the national stage. More than 500 aviators from 30 colleges will compete in ground knowledge, simulator, and flying events as well as vie for achievement, safety, and scholarship-based awards.Throughout the week, participants will have the opportunity to network with aviation industry partners at booths, seminars, and sponsored meal events. Teams will earn invitations this fall at one of nine regional SAFECONs.“NIFA is excited that Quad Cities will be hosting SAFECON 2026! Teams will enjoy a variety of venues, and the Quad Cities is a spot that NIFA has never competed at before, which brings a heightened sense of anticipation to next year's National Competition,” NIFA Executive Director Taylor Newman said in a news release. “We look forward to everything that the Quad Cities community has to offer NIFA and our member schools.”Visit Quad Cities President and CEO Dave Herrell said in the release “We are thrilled to serve as host of 2026 SAFECON and welcome the country’s leading collegiate aviators to the Quad Cities region. Tourism leads to talent attraction, and SAFECON will help further advance our community’s positioning as a world-class destination and a region that is positioned for the future.”He added, “The Quad Cities is grateful for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s (NIFA) confidence in selecting our community and the Quad Cities International Airport for this prestigious national event and unique opportunity. This further demonstrates our goal to advance the future of aviation, and we can’t wait for the Quad Cities to embrace these talented leaders from across the nation.”Benjamin Leischner, executive director, Quad Cities International Airport, said “We’re proud to welcome this premier event and showcase our region as a hub for aviation excellence. Being selected to host SAFECON 2026 highlights the Quad Cities’ long-standing influence in the national aviation landscape.”He added “For our airport, it's a chance to demonstrate our commitment to education, workforce development, and industry leadership. SAFECON brings the nation’s top collegiate aviators to our community, along with the energy, skills, and innovation that will shape the future of the industry. This opportunity places the Quad Cities at the forefront of aviation’s next chapter.”
