California Aeronautical University (CAU) recently welcomed collegiate aviators from across the region as host of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region II SAFECON competition.
Held at CAU’s Bakersfield campus, the week-long competition brought together 77 participants from California Aeronautical University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott, Mt. San Antonio College, and San Jose State University. Students competed in a variety of flight and ground events designed to evaluate aviation knowledge, precision flying, decision-making, professionalism, and safety.
For the CAU Flight Team, the week resulted in multiple first-place finishes, top-three placements in 13 categories, and recognition for the values that define the program: safety, teamwork, and excellence.
What is NIFA SAFECON?
The National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s (NIFA) SAFECON competition is one of collegiate aviation’s premier events, challenging students in both flight and ground disciplines that mirror real-world aviation operations.
Participants compete in events focused on navigation, aircraft operations, instrument procedures, crew resource management, aircraft inspection, and precision flying. Beyond competition, SAFECON provides opportunities to build leadership skills, strengthen professional networks, and reinforce the safety-focused mindset essential throughout a commercial pilot career.
CAU Recognized for Safety and Sportsmanship
Among the competition’s most respected honors, the CAU Flight Team earned both the Safety Award and Sportsmanship Award.
The recognitions underscore the team’s commitment to safe flight operations, professionalism, and respect for fellow competitors. They also continue a strong year for the program after CAU earned the Competition Safety Award at the 2026 National SAFECON Championship, where the team achieved its highest national finish to date with a Top 10 overall ranking.
“At CAU, safety is not something we take for granted; it is a core value embedded in our culture.”
– Vanessa Collazo, Flight Team Coach
CAU Students Earn First-Place Finishes
Several CAU competitors claimed first-place honors during the regional competition:
Ground Trainer
Shaun Okuda
Short Field Landing
Sebastian Bernal
Traditional Navigation
Shaun Okuda (Pilot) and Raiden Maekawa (Safety Observer)
Unlimited Navigation
Jared Libao (Pilot) and James Malanowski (Safety Observer)
IFR Event
Jared Libao
In total, CAU students earned Top 3 finishes in 13 competition categories, reflecting the dedication and preparation invested throughout the year.
Individual Honors Highlight Student Achievement
Several CAU students received special recognition during the competition.
Top Pilot
Shaun Okuda earned the competition’s Top Pilot award, recognizing outstanding performance across multiple events.
Okuda’s accomplishments included first-place finishes in both Ground Trainer and Traditional Navigation. As one of the team’s veteran competitors, he has helped establish a culture of excellence while mentoring newer Flight Team members.
“In the past, our problem was we didn’t know what it felt like to really be at the top, to win. So being able to show the new members, like, this is what it takes to win, and to actually be able to show them that you get results from doing so, I’d say that makes me feel quite proud.”
– Shaun Okuda
Outstanding Team Member
Sebastian Bernal was named CAU’s Outstanding Team Member and also captured first place in the Short Field Landing event.
Hosting the Aviation Community
The competition took place Monday through Thursday, culminating in an awards banquet on Friday. Participants also had the opportunity to connect outside of competition during a Thursday evening social event, which brought students from all four institutions together.
By hosting Region II SAFECON, California Aeronautical University continues to play an active role in supporting collegiate aviation and providing opportunities for students to learn from peers, coaches, and competitors across the region.
The Results of a Year’s Work
While the awards are presented during competition week, success at SAFECON is built through months of preparation, training, and teamwork.
For Flight Team members, competition serves as an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge and flight training in demanding environments while strengthening communication, leadership, critical-thinking, and decision-making skills.
“What makes me most proud is seeing the results of the hard work and dedication our team has invested throughout the year.”
– Vanessa Collazo, Flight Team Coach
The regional competition marks another milestone in the continued growth of the CAU Flight Team, whose students have earned national recognition for safety, professionalism, and competitive achievement. As the program continues to grow, Flight Team members are demonstrating that excellence in aviation extends far beyond technical skill to include leadership, discipline, and a commitment to safety.
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