The daily airshows, scheduled from 1-5 p.m. EDT, promise to deliver thrills courtesy of renowned performers such as Patty Wagstaff, Rob Holland, and Michael Goulian. Additionally, the night airshow and pyrobatic fireworks will illuminate the skies on Wednesday and Saturday, kicking off at 7 p.m.

• READ MORE: A Fond Memory: Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo 2023

For aviation enthusiasts, the Commemorative Air Force is set to offer vintage aircraft rides, including the iconic B-29 Fifi, and various other warbirds. Interested individuals can secure their ride bookings through the Sun ’n Fun website. Spectators can look forward to captivating performances by the U.S. Air Force F-35A Demo Team, Air Force Thunderbirds, Patriot Parachute Demo Team, and Warbirds Arrival Show on April 9, with additional warbird events sprinkled throughout the week. The official website provides a detailed event schedule.

On the ground, attendees can partake in workshops, explore opportunities at an aviation career fair, and provide young aviation enthusiasts with inspiration at a dedicated kids corner. Aviators flying into the show can benefit from available discounts, while those seeking an elevated experience can opt for preferred seating, available on the event’s website. The Sun ’n Fun event promises an immersive experience for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.

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That’s the premise out of the 14th Redbird Migration, the annual conference designed for the users of Redbird Flight simulation technology, from the desktop-mounted Jay for home and classroom use to the Redbird AMS, a full motion, highly immersive, cockpit-specific, FAA-certified Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) for turbine aircraft.

Registration is now open for the event, which will take place March 5-6 at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston. The event moves around the country to allow more people an opportunity to attend.

Each migration brings in keynote speakers from the aviation industry to address aviation educators, K-12 STEM teachers, flight instructors, and flight school owners. Breakout sessions are conducted on topics as diverse as using the Redbird as a marketing tool, best practices for CFIs in the Redbird, and using the devices for school children to enhance lessons.

• READ MORE: Simulation Technology, Not Just for Airlines

According to Josh Harnagel, flight instructor and vice president of marketing at Redbird, the conference is free to attendees, but there is a space limitation of 350. This year, speakers include James Viola, president and CEO of Helicopter Association International, and Bob Hepp, chief CFI of Aviation Adventures.

“We also plan to have someone from the National Transportation Safety Board as well as representation from the other aviation alphabet groups,” Harnagel said. “In addition, this year at the breakout sessions there will be a wider range of folks. On the Monday before Migration begins, there will be a continuing education event for teachers that will demonstrate how to use the sims in the classroom and use of our classroom management tools.”

One of those scheduled to present is Harvey Madison, director of instruction, design, and content at Redbird. One of his skill sets is working with nonaviation teachers to help them better utilize the Redbird in their classrooms.

“You learn so much more by taking concepts from a lecture and applying them on the sim, building that muscle memory,” said Madison. “The sim is the lab part of the class—like in chemistry class where you had the lecture, then in the hands-on part [where] you mixed the chemicals. You use the sim in the classroom for the lab practical part of the lecture.”

About the Lone Star Aviation Museum

Redbird is especially excited about this year’s host venue, as the Lone Star Flight Museum is one of the finest aviation and aerospace facilities in the country. Among its exhibits is the space gallery with a shuttle cockpit and a MaxFlight FS-VC interactive simulator that literally puts you in the pilot’s seat.

For more information or to register, visit migration.redbirdflight.com.

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Our first waypoint is the Navigation Event. This challenge sets the stage for a cross-country journey spanning between 70 nm and 120 nm over a three-to-five-leg course. Contestants are tasked with creating a meticulous flight plan, including estimations of en-route time for each leg, total elapsed time, and anticipated fuel consumption. The contestant with the least penalties takes home the accolades, epitomizing the key piloting skills of planning, time management, and fuel economy.

Next up, we taxi into the Short-field Landing Event. This contest is designed to gauge each pilot’s aircraft control finesse. After a standard traffic pattern departure, the goal is to touch down as close to the target line as possible, with the added restriction of being unable to increase power once it’s reduced. The pilot’s score is calculated from the distance in feet between the target line and where the wheels make their first contact with the runway. The pilot with the lowest cumulative total, including any technique penalties from two landings, wins.

Our journey continues with the Power Off Landing Event. This is a sibling to the Short-field Event but with an added twist. Here, the power must be cut to idle on the downwind leg once abeam the target line, testing the pilot’s ability to glide and maneuver the aircraft for the remainder of the traffic pattern and hopefully land precisely on the target line.

Finally, we dive into the thrilling Message Drop Event. Here, the objective is to hit a ground target with a message container released from 200 feet in the air. This event necessitates flawless coordination between the pilot and drop master, as they maneuver the aircraft to align the container drops with the target. The contestant achieving the lowest total distance from the two targets takes home the trophy.

So, prepare for a head-spinning journey into the realm of university-level aviation in “Episode 5: The Flight Competition.” The captivating world of SAFECON 2023 is unfolding, and we’re ecstatic to guide you through the thrilling twists and turns. Get set for Episode 6!

The post SAFECON Championship: The Flight Competition appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

First, we take you inside the cockpit of a Frasca RTD (reconfigurable training device) with Garmin G1000 panel for the ground trainer event. This isn’t just any simulator—it’s a tool that turns abstract concepts into real-world applications. As students maneuver through the training pattern, they do so under strict guidelines: Electronic devices are only allowed as silent timers, and the pattern provided by the judge is their only guide. This isn’t just about testing their knowledge—it’s about ensuring accuracy under pressure, all while maintaining the integrity of the competition.

• SAFECON Championship: The Ground Competition

Then, we dive into the high-stakes realm of the IFR Sim Event, again featuring Frasca’s latest simulator, the RTD configured as a Cessna 172 with the G1000 flight deck. Contestants take to simulated skies, navigating adverse weather conditions. However, this isn’t a full-avionics-suite experience—the G1000 is simplified, so advanced features such as GPS, autopilot, auto tune, and zoom are off-limits. This restriction places the focus on the competitors’ core piloting skills and their ability to adapt and react under intense pressure.

• SAFECON Championship: What Teams Qualified?

Finally, we give you a front-row seat to the teamwork extravaganza that is the CRM/LOFT Event. This year, the emphasis rests on giving competitors more hands-on time with the simulator, while still maintaining the intensity of the event. Each team navigates its short flight from Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, familiarizing itself with the crew expectations and the simulator’s navigational equipment. Autopilot isn’t an option here. It’s all about manual control and effective team communication.

• SAFECON National Championship: ‘March Madness of Aviation’

So, get ready for this adrenaline-packed journey into the world of collegiate aviation in “Episode 4: The Ground Simulator.” The riveting world of SAFECON 2023 continues to unfold, and we’re thrilled to have you along for the ride. See you for Episode 5!

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