Ohio State flight team recognized as best college aviation program

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Ohio State flight team recognized as best college aviation program

Loening Trophy placed on permanent display at University Airport

The Ohio State University's aviation program received the Loening Trophy Monday afternoon in recognition of being this year's outstanding all-around collegiate aviation program in the nation. Representatives of the flying Buckeyes received the award during the 2026 Annual Collegiate Aviation Symposium, hosted by Ohio State and Alpha Eta Rho International Aviation Fraternity.

Of special note this year is that the trophy has returned to its founding location and is now on permanent display at The Ohio State University Airport.

"I'm thrilled that we've brought the championship trophy back to Ohio State," said Ohio State President Walter "Ted" Carter Jr., a retired naval aviator with 38 years of military service. "This achievement is a testament not only to the excellence of our aviation program, but also the academic talents, hard work and leadership of our students, faculty and staff. Ohio State is proud to be among the nation's best in preparing the next generation of aviation leaders."

In previous years, the Loening Trophy was presented during the annual Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON), a national competition for aviation performance and excellence. Starting this year, the trophy will be awarded to the best overall collegiate aviation program annually at the symposium at Ohio State, said Bob Clement, Alpha Eta Rho president and a member of the Loening Trophy judging committee.

"Ohio State has won the award about four previous times. It's been awarded continuously since 1929, and it just so happens that the first ever meeting of the Intercollegiate Aviation Association took place at Ohio State in October of 1929," he said. "Since Ohio State is the birthplace of collegiate aviation and Loening Trophy talent, the committee made the decision that we were going to move it to Ohio State."

The pure silver Loening Trophy, designed by jeweler Tiffany, was first commissioned and awarded in 1929 when aviation pioneer and inventor Grover Loening saw a need to annually recognize the most outstanding achievements of college aviation programs.

Loening, who was the aeronautical engineer for the Wright Brothers, asked his friends and famous pilots such as Amelia Earhart and Navy Commander John Towers to assist him in judging the first competition.

"Ohio State is the only remaining school of the 14 that were there in 1929," Clement said.

Noah Alapat, a second-year air transportation major, said Ohio State's storied history is what drew him to the university's aviation program.

"Ohio State has everything," he said. "We have a great airport, great airplanes, certified flight instructors and great aviation professors."

Alapat said Ohio State has also offered him opportunities to conduct research. He's currently researching how consuming short-form social media content over time affects the ability of pilots and aviation students to concentrate on flight tasks.

"There are a lot of things that students here take for granted that other universities don't have," Alapat said. "It's a very well-put-together organization. The university is well known and has a high alumni base. I can go up to any airline, and I know that there is a pilot flying there from Ohio State."

In future years, when the Loening Trophy is presented, winning programs will receive a replica of the trophy, while the original will remain on display at Ohio State. Criteria for the award will focus on challenges carried out by interdisciplinary teams from colleges and universities across the country, Clement said.

Members of Alpha Eta Rho, headquartered at the university airport, and Ohio State students will be the representatives of the trophy. Students will conduct public presentations on college aviation and participate in the care and preservation of the trophy, Clement said.

"We have plans to have an interactive AI-generated history of collegiate aviation, with the Loening Trophy being the permanent centerpiece at the Ohio State Airport," he said. "That will be good for the students, as well, because they'll learn all that history."

The 2026 Annual Collegiate Aviation Symposium began Monday and concludes Tuesday at the Ohio Union on Ohio State's Columbus campus.

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