Questions about NIFA Nationals...

[Crossky]

My advice....drink heavily. (John Belushi, Animal House)

Dude, try not to get too caught up in Nationals. Bunch of geeky judges making sure you act "professional", at least their definition of the word. Too many students take the Nationals too seriously. The reality of the situation is that very few schools take most of the awards. Let's see...UND, ERAU (both campuses, but PRC is better), Western Michigan, Ohio State, USAFA, OK State, etc... What do these schools have in common??? Lots of money given to their flight teams. I remember that ERAU-DB had a $90,000 budget back in 1991. How are teams to compete with that?

I agree, but I don't remember OK State being loaded with a huge flight team budget at all. That was way back in the day ('89-'91) so it could've changed I guess. The university pitched in but I wouldn't have guessed it was more than $8K per year definitely, don't know what the alums pitched in. $90K is a lotta coin.

Don't let Wally Funk beat you with her 'wally stick'.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

I agree, but I don't remember OK State being loaded with a huge flight team budget at all. That was way back in the day ('89-'91) so it could've changed I guess. The university pitched in but I wouldn't have guessed it was more than $8K per year definitely, don't know what the alums pitched in. $90K is a lotta coin.

Don't let Wally Funk beat you with her 'wally stick'.

One of the funniest stories about Wally came from one of our coaches (past competitor). Wally approached him with her "Wally Stick" (wooden dowel that she claims will help her find cracks in the propeller as you use it to bang on your prop). She told him to go ahead and strike the propeller with the stick. When he asked "how hard?" she replied, "as hard as you want". As he struck the propeller the stick broke into several pieces. He offered the 3 inch remnant of the stick that was still in his hand back to her. He said the look on her face was that of someone who just found out their dog had been killed! Puzzled and confused and maybe a little bit sad she took the small piece back and started picking up the other pieces as the team walked away trying not to laugh!

BTW...$8,000 is still $8,000 more than what our school gave us. And now they have revoked the team's membership in NIFA stating it was too risky. Ignorance never ceases to amaze me. How can the school support ski clubs, rock climbing clubs, heck...even the football team and call the NIFA events high risk?

GP

 

[DGdaPilot]

We practiced 4-6 days a week. Typically 3-5 hours each weeknight. But despite that, it was some of the best times in my life. I miss it already. I think I'm headin to Region VIII's regionals next week for my first judging experience. And to think, I missed regional top pilot last year by one lousy point....son'of'a........

 

[DGdaPilot]

Remember Wally running around the ramp asking people to show her their data plate? Good God that woman is crazy. I think her health is failing, though. Had a friend tell me that she was last seen in a wheelchair. I guess crazy pilots get old too.

 

[XJTguy77]

12. San Jose State. I hope they make it back this year...

We're pulling for you guys. Really sucked what happened; hope to see you guys back at Nationals soon! It hasn't been the same since.

 

[BoilerUP]

We practiced 4-6 days a week. Typically 3-5 hours each weeknight. But despite that, it was some of the best times in my life. I miss it already. I think I'm headin to Region VIII's regionals next week for my first judging experience. And to think, I missed regional top pilot last year by one lousy point....son'of'a........

Jeebus man, no wonder you guys win regionals so often. Thats waaaay too much practice and far too little social life. 2-3 days per week, 1-2 hours at a time is all we did, and 5th place last year at Nats wasn't too shabby. WMU guys told us if they had scored under the old system, we'd have tied them for 3rd. Not bad for a bunch of card-playing socialites :beer:

If I weren't headed out of town next weekend, I'd be in HUF too. Are you from WV, DG?

 

[Illini Pilot]

True story: Kid from the "host school of the 2003 nationals" started sobbing and crying after he didn't win Top Pilot...

 

[Illini Pilot]

also, was anyone flying during the practice at MQY in 2004 when "Cowboy One" got lost and ended up over BNA thinking it was MQY? those were some great radio calls...

 

[DGdaPilot]

Jeebus man, no wonder you guys win regionals so often. Thats waaaay too much practice and far too little social life. 2-3 days per week, 1-2 hours at a time is all we did, and 5th place last year at Nats wasn't too shabby. WMU guys told us if they had scored under the old system, we'd have tied them for 3rd. Not bad for a bunch of card-playing socialites :beer:

If I weren't headed out of town next weekend, I'd be in HUF too. Are you from WV, DG?

I'm from IL, but my buddy (who's still on the team) is from WV. I was happy with our results at last nationals. I thought 2nd place Judges trophy was quite an accomplishment considering it is the overall scoring of everyone.

 

[Sycamore SAm]

Where are the VIII regionals being held this year and when?

 

[DGdaPilot]

Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. It starts this Wednesday evening.

 

[Sycamore SAm]

I used to be on the ISU flight team but I think we were the last team to compete. Are they just hosting it or are they competing?

 

[BoilerUP]

I used to be on the ISU flight team but I think we were the last team to compete. Are they just hosting it or are they competing?

both (stupid too short post thingie)

 

[ilinipilot]

Good luck ILLINI at the competition.

I almost did a double take walking at Ohare and seeing a picture of Wally Funk on a display as you walk between UAL term 1 and AA Term 3. Brought back memories, they should have photographed her with an orange safety vest.

I enjoyed the time I played a nice joke on the competitors calling them after the coaches reception saying we were too drunk to drive the van home. Seeing 8 of them pour out of the hotel with cameras and camcorders was a site. We gotten good that day, little ones never learn

D

 

[CaravanMan]

Uh oh

Don't think it'll happen this year unless there's a miracle or the "University Risk Manager" gets hit on the head with something.

maybe next year if NIFA changes the rules for us. I hope.

We're still practicing on our own dime in case something amazing happens.

Okay guys, gotta fill me in...what did SJSU do?? I've been outta school since December '01, so I've missed a lot of this stuff.

BTW...Toto 1 at SLN...Lmao!