1983 Sky Broncos
1983 SKY BRONCOS
National Championship Team
The 1983 National Champion Sky Broncos were comprised of fifteen contestants, Advisor Larry Hoikka, and six coaches. The Sky Broncos hosted the National Collegiate Flying Association (NIFA) air meet, winning the flight, ground, and overall events. This was the first time a host team won the NIFA Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference (SAFECON) in its 35 year history. Over thirty schools participated with approximately 450 aviators in various fight events, conducting over 6,000 operations. Deb Leppo, the only female member of the team, landed third overall in the Women鈥檚 Achievement category. The Sky Broncos also earned the Loening Trophy, the premier award of NIFA for outstanding teams in competition, performance and air safety. The pure silver, Tiffany designed, Loening Trophy is believed to be the most prestigious award in collegiate aviation, first awarded in 1929 and housed at the National Air & Space Museum. The award represents superb achievement in aeronautical skills; more importantly, it represents the current benchmark for an overall outstanding collegiate aviation program, with an emphasis on academics, community involvement, aviation skills and their advancement, a comprehensive safety program, and professionalism.