The National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) will bring its SAFECON flight competition back to Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Wisconsin May 6-15, 2027, according to Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) officials.
The national collegiate competition will feature more than 500 competitors representing more than 30 colleges and universities. Pilots will compete for honors across multiple aviation disciplines, including precision landing, navigation, preflight inspection, flight planning, crew resource management simulations, and safety.
The competition will take place across EAA grounds, utilizing the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the EAA Aviation Museum, and the EAA Education Center. All spot landing, ground, and flying events will operate out of Wittman Regional Airport, with the exception of the cross-country navigation event, which departs the local area. Practice activities begin May 6, 2027, followed by official competition starting May 10, 2027.
“Bringing SAFECON to Oshkosh in 2027 is always a little like a homecoming for many of our competitors, as dozens of them are EAA members, previously attended AirVenture, or got their start in aviation through an EAA Young Eagles flight,” said Andrew Ross, NIFA executive director.
The 2027 event marks the third time Oshkosh has hosted the national competition, following SAFECON events in 2023 and 2025. It also coincides with the 100th anniversary of Wittman Regional Airport, which opened in 1927 as the Oshkosh Municipal Airport.
“This competition brings together the nation’s top collegiate pilots to showcase their flying skills,” said Ren Scott, EAA vice president of business development, sales, and events. “It’s especially exciting to have these young aviators return to the community in 2027, as we celebrate the centennial of Charles Lindbergh’s historic flight and the 100th anniversary of Wittman Regional Airport here in Oshkosh.”
For more information: EAA.org
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