Ground Events
The Big Three
Computer Accuracy
Computer Accuracy, or Compacc, consists of several questions answered using a manual flight computer. The problems included questions based on time, speed, distance, wind corrections, fuel requirements, conversion factors, and much more!
Simulated comprehensive Aircraft Navigation
Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation is an event with problems related to a simulated cross-country flight over a given route. Included in the flight planning are questions on weight and balance, aircraft performance, federal regulations, aeronautical charts, weather interpretations, and fuel consumption.
Aircraft Recognition
During Aircraft Rec, competitors are shown slides of an aircraft and are given 15 seconds to identify the aircraft manufacturer, model number, and official name, if it has one.
Additional Events
Ground Trainer
In Ground Trainer, or Sim, contestants are given an instrument pattern to fly based solely off reference to instruments. The event is scored based on the accuracy of the contestant.
Preflight
In Preflight, an aircraft is "bugged" with at least 30 unairworthy discrepancies. Competitors are then given 15 minutes to preflight the aircraft and find as many of the discrepancies as possible.
National Events
CRM/LOFT
In Crew Resource Management/Line Oriented Flight Training, contestants are given a scenario that will be planned with an even and realistic mix of simple problems (e.g. one navigational radio failing) and complex situations (e.g. one of three landing gear not extending). The event is designed to test the contestants’ ability to work together to solve realistic problems.
IFR
In IFR, contestants are to fly a scenario in a simulator that may include any departures, descents, and turns; VOR and NDB tracking; radar vectors; a non-precision approach; a precision approach; a missed approach; a landing and a landing while under simulated IFR. They are to use standard procedures required by the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and Air Traffic Control (ATC).