Danville airport hosting collegiate flying competition

DANVILLE, Va. – More than 50 future pilots are competing in Danville this weekend.

Averett University is hosting a regional competition for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association.

It all started Thursday at the Danville Regional Airport and runs through Saturday.

Students from five universities, including Averett, perform various academic challenges and airplane maneuvers, and fly in a simulator.

"It's like a track meet. We have 11 events. You have winners in each event, then you put all the points together and you get an overall winner," explained chief competition judge Ernie Rogers.

"It's a huge honor, one, just to showcase our facilities and our program. But not only that, showcase the city of Danville and Danville Regional Airport," said Averett chief flight instructor Travis Williams.

The winner will go on to the national competition next spring at Kansas State University.