By Trish Svoboda

The Flight Team and Women’s Air Race Team, two clubs at Kansas State University Salina, are organizing a Flight Fest as part of K-State Salina’s open house on Saturday, April 6.

Flight Fest will host a WINGS safety seminar by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) at the K-State Ramp located in Salina Regional Airport. This event will also offer an exclusive walkthrough of the campus’s aviation program, activities for children, and a pancake breakfast.

The FAA WINGS CFIT seminar plays a pivotal role in bolstering the safety of the K-State Salina aviation program and its pilots. The issue of terrain-related accidents, which frequently lead to loss of life and severe aircraft damage, underscores the importance of this training. The seminar aims to elevate the safety consciousness and risk reduction strategies of aviators by imparting knowledge about the origins, indicators, and prevention of such accidents.

“Attendees will gain valuable knowledge and skills to effectively manage terrain-related challenges, such as terrain awareness, effective communication, and adherence to standard operating procedures,” said Sydney Oyer, senior in the professional pilot program and member of the Women’s Air Race team, Gardner. “This proactive approach not only fosters a culture of safety within our school but also contributes to reducing accident rates and promoting professionalism within the aviation community. Ultimately, the seminar plays a vital role in safeguarding lives, protecting assets, and upholding regulatory compliance standards in aviation operations.”