March 13-14th, 2025
Triple Tree Aerodrome
Woodruff, South Carolina
AviCom is an aviation competition for high school students, where teenagers compete for awards that propel their aviation journey. The competition is designed to recognize those who are most likely to be successful, safe, and proficient aviation professionals.
The competition includes an individual airman knowledge test, an individual aircraft recognition test, and a scenario-based simulated flight conducted as a team.
UPDATE 14 March 2025:
These are the official results of today's event:
Top 3 Individuals in the Airmanship Knowledge Competition
1 - Natalie E., Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 249
2 - Wills J., Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 249
3 - Matilynn V., Academic Magnet High School
Top 3 Individuals in the Aircraft Recognition Competition
1 - Priel P., Academic Magnet High School
2 - Ayden K., Academy for the Arts, Sciences, & Technology
3 - Jackson B., Innovation Center
Top 3 Teams in the Simulated Flight Competition
1 - Academy for the Arts, Sciences, & Technology
2 - CTE Innovation Center
3 - Lexington High School AFJROTC SC-871
Overall Winner:
Ayden K, Academy for the Arts, Sciences, & Technology
Congratulations!
Mission Objectives
The mission is for students to demonstrate their aviation knowledge and skills through competition aligned with the following academic standards:
Asking Question and Defining Problems (HS-ETS1-1)
Analyze the performance characteristics of a given aircraft to operate at peak efficiency for specific atmospheric conditions.
Developing and Using Models (HS-ETS1-4)
Use computer simulation to model a planned cross-country flight and fly the plan using standard operating procedures in a dynamic flying environment.
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions (HS-ETS1-6)
Plan a cross-country flight, optimizing fuel efficiency based on the trade-offs between flying routes and altitudes, while staying in compliance with regulations.
Determine Meaning from Technical Documents (RST.11-12.4)
Obtain, interpret, and apply information from official sources, including aviation maps, aircraft performance charts, airport diagrams, and weather reports.
Mission Competition Details
Students will compete in teams and individually. Teams will compete in a simulated flight. Individually, students will be tested on airman knowledge and aircraft identification.
Airman Knowledge
Multiple-choice, time-limited test aligned with the following Airman Certification Standards:
PA.I.C - Weather Information
PA.I.E - National Airspace
PA.I.F - Performance and Limitations
PA.I.G - Operation of Systems
PA.I.H - Human Factors
PA.III.B - Traffic Patterns
PA.VI.A - Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
Emphasis will be on Airman Certification Standards relevant to the theme/scenario.
Aircraft Identification
Students will be given a multiple-choice test to identify twenty (20) aircraft by manufacturer, model, and common name, including military, commercial, and general aviation aircraft. Emphasis will be on aircraft relevant to the theme/scenario.
Simulated Flight
Competitors are expected to be able to plan a VFR flight and use a flight simulator to execute their plan. The exact details of the mission, including aircraft type, payload, departure airport, arrival airport, and weather outlook, will be revealed during the briefing, live streamed, the evening before the event. Competitors will execute their planned flight on the day of the competition using the simulators provided. Teams will be evaluated on the time and fuel required to complete the flight plus additional parameters related to the scenario. There will be a time limit.
Participant Qualifications
Individuals must be enrolled as South Carolina 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade students.
Individuals must be part of a team from an aviation education organization. An aviation education organization may be a school that teaches courses in aviation or an after-school or extracurricular aviation-related program (e.g. Civil Air Patrol, Experimental Aircraft Association, Scouts).
Individuals must NOT have completed their Primary Pilot Certification (balloon, glider, airplane, or helicopter).
Every team must have an adult teacher, coach, or leader who is the point of contact with the AviCom Event Director.
Teams are able to enter multiple aviators in the non-flying events (Thursday). However, we are limited to a max of 3 aviators for the flying portion on Friday (Pilot, First Officer, and Navigator)
Registration
Teacher/Coaches will register their teams in advance through the Triple Tree web site https://tta.aero/avicomregistration/
All registration fees collected help pay for shirts, meals, and swag.
Space is limited.
Registration Opens: 16 January 2025
T-shirt Deadline (Last day to register and get a T-shirt guaranteed): 29 January 2025
Payment Deadline (Last day to hold your reservation without payment: 18 February (10:00 am) 2025
Meals, Lodging and Transportation
Thursday evening light refreshments, Friday-Breakfast and Lunch are provided.
Teams are responsible for their own transportation and lodging.
Overnighting at Triple Tree is NOT available for this event.
Nearest hotels are twelve miles away in Simpsonville or Duncan.
You will find a list here:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/SmartDeals-g54507-Woodruff_South_Carolina-Hotel-Deals.html
Schedule
We are working to fine tune this schedule. The 6:30pm Thursday, and 8:30am Friday start times are set. We will make every attempt to stay on schedule for 8:30pm Thursday and 2:00pm Friday dismissal. Please plan accordingly.
Thursday
Supported by McFarland Johnson Airport Architects
Welcome
6:30pm Check-in and refreshments in the Robert Shaw Learning Center
Ground (non-flying) Assessments
7:00 Airman Knowledge and Aircraft Identification assessments in the Kirby McKinney Hangar & Museum
Mission Briefing
8:00 Mission Briefing (pre-recorded)
Q& A with Subject Matter Expert (Guest Speaker) in the Robert Shaw Learning Center
8:30 Adjourned
Overnight
Overnighting at Triple Tree is NOT available for this event.
Nearest hotels are twelve miles away in Simpsonville or Duncan.
You will find a list here:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/SmartDeals-g54507-Woodruff_South_Carolina-Hotel-Deals.html
Friday Morning Activities At-a-glanceÂ
Group A Teachers | Group A Students | Group B Teachers | Group B Students | |
8:30 to 9:00 | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast |
9:00 to 9:15 | (break) | Briefing Room | Exhibit Hall | Exhibit Hall |
9:15 to 10:30 | PD | Sim Lab | Exhibit Hall | Exhibit Hall |
10:30 to 1045 | Exhibit Hall | Briefing Room | (break) | Briefing Room |
10:45 to 12:00 | Exhibit Hall | Exhibit Hall | PD | Sim Lab |
12:00 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
Activity Descriptions:
BreakfastÂ
Exhibit Hall: Free time for students to visit vendors and explore the Kirby McKinney Hangar & Museum
Briefing Room: Gathering area before students go into the Sim Lab.
Sim Lab: Only for competing students and event officials. We intend to have an adjacent area for observers.
Debriefing Room: A room for students leaving the sim lab to be separate from students entering the sim lab.
Coffee Break:
PD (Professional Develop) see below.
Lunch
12:00Â Lunch on The Patio
Supported by: Charleston Southern University
RC Demo and, in typical Triple Tree fashion, cook-your-own hamburgers on the grill.
Awards Ceremony
Supported by Triple Tree Aerodrome
1:00Â Vendors will be recognized and participate in the awards ceremony.
2:00Â Dismissed.
Awards and Prizes
All first, second, and third place scores on the Airman Knowledge, Aircraft Recognition, and Team Simulated Flight will receive a prize package from Aviation Supplies and Academics.
In addition,
High Score Team Simulated Flight………...…. Trophy for school and temporary keeper of the traveling trophy.
Grand Prize: Best Combined Score……...…… Trophy (nose art) and $2,000.00 Flight Training Scholarship
Professional Development PD Schedule
Group A Teachers | Group B Teachers | |
9:00 to 9:15 | ||
9:15 to 9: 30 | RAF | |
9:30 to 9:45 | CSU | |
9:45 to 10:00 | USAFA | |
10:00 to 10:15 | USAero | |
10:15 to 10:30 | PIA | |
10:30 to 10:45 | MAF | RAF |
10:45 to 11:00 | CSU | |
11:00 to 11:15 | USAFA | |
11:15 to 11:30 | USAero | |
11:30 to 11:45 | PIA | |
11:45 to 12:00 | MAF |
Teachers will receive a presentation from each vendor focused on opportunities for their students and resources for teachers to take back to take back to their classrooms.
RAF - Recreational Aviation Foundation
CSU - Charleston Southern University
USAFA - United States Air Force Academy
USAero - USAero Flight
PIA - Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
MAF - Mission Aviation Fellowship
Preparing for the Competition
To prepare for the simulated flight competition, students should be able to plan a VFR flight and use a simulator to execute the plan. Students should be able to use a flight simulator, without pausing the simulator, to demonstrate their ability to:
Taxi to the correct runway based on wind conditions.
Hold short of the runway until cleared for takeoff.
On departure, climb to an appropriate VFR cruising altitude and hold altitude (+/-200’) until approximately 10 miles from the arrival airport unless an altitude change is required to maintain VFR, avoid airspace restrictions, or clear terrain.Â
Navigate by pilotage and dead reckoning.
Clear all obstacles by 1000’ and clear wilderness areas by 2000’.
Stay out of any controlled airspace without authorization (if authorization is required).
Abide by cloud clearance and speed limits.
Avoid excessive bank and pitch angles.
Land on the correct runway based on wind conditions.
Taxi to the ramp.
Park in a parking space and set the parking brake.
Note: The theme for AviCom 2025 is "backcountry". Students should use a flight simulator to practice landings and takeoffs on dirt/grass strips using short field techniques in aircraft specifically designed for these types of missions.
Event Resources
Downloadables
Movie Poster (high res) (low res)
Simulator Controls Reference Card ( yoke)
X-Plane Manual (read online)
Social Media
Helpful images and videos will be posted on Instagram @scaviationhs