The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks,
The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and
spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."
The Flying Salukis soared into their third consecutive first-place finish Oct. 23 at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association Region VIII competition, grabbing a title sought out by schools including Purdue University and the University of Illinois- Urbana-Champaign.
The finish secured the Flying Salukis' 32nd consecutive advancement to the national competition in April.
The Flying Salukis are a department-sponsored team, much like many athletic teams like football and basketball. Every year, the team spends five weeks preparing for the regional collegiate competition in order to secure a place at nationals.
The competition consists of two academic-oriented categories: ground and flying.
Five ground events, ranging from complex math calculations using a flight computer to the use of a flight simulator to fly a specific pattern, made up most of the competition this year as weather constricted the use of aircraft during the four-day competition at the University of Illinois' Willard Airport.
Mike Frette, head coach of the Flying Salukis, said two of the Flying Salukis' best events -- navigation and message drop -- were canceled.
Two flying events consisting of short-field landings to test accuracy of landing and power-off landings, which simulate engine failure, did take place during the competition.
Feeling the grip of pressure from a loss of graduating seniors, Doug Gibbs, co-captain of the Flying Salukis, led his team confidently into the competition.
"I knew that our team wasn't as strong as last year, but I also knew that in the days leading up to competition that our team gained a lot of knowledge just studying on their own and taking practice tests," Gibbs said. "For some reason, I just had this level of comfort that I just never had before."
Arriving in Urbana, the nearly half-new team spent three days studying anything and everything on aviation.
"We take it very seriously, and we take all the events seriously. That's why I think we do well," said Frette.
Receiving coach of the year, Frette said he takes more pride in the students he works with.
"They're the ones who actually have to write the letter and recommend you, so that says something about the people you're working with, at least recognize that you're doing something along those lines to help them do better," said Frette.
At nationals, the Flying Salukis have captured fourth place five times over the past seven years. More than 30 schools compete in the competition, and it is the University's only chance to compete with schools from around the nation.
"The only time we get to go head to head is flight competitions," Frette said.
Frette believes any flight school can say it is the best in the country if the school says it the right way, but the national competition is the only direct way.
David NewMyer, chair of Department of Aviation Management and Flight, said he was very proud of the Flying Salukis achievements.
"I think they are great representatives of the program and the University," NewMyer said.
"Showing the dedication that they do, to their teams and to their events, they show the best side of SIU."
Daily Egyptian 
