Chapter members gathered to honor the winners of the 2013 WINGS OVER PARADISE scholarships at a reception held March 21 at the Page Field Base Ops FBO, Fort Myers, FL.  Since the chapter’s founding in 2007, Paradise Coast members have worked to raise more than $15,000 for the scholarship fund, presenting the first scholarship award in 2011.

After the afternoon sessions, we were free to visit the Museum of Aviation.  The museum is not just for military aircraft but also includes the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame honors aviation leaders who have contributed to the growth of general aviation in Georgia.  Notable women included are Jacqueline Cochran, June D. Maule, and Charlotte Fogg Fyre. Ms Frye was the 7^th licensed female pilot in GA and flew airmail from Griffin to Atlanta for many years. A strong supporter of general aviation in the 1930’s, she was also a founding member of the Georgia 99’s and SE Section governor in 1941.

The 36^th annual Air Race Classic race began in Lake Havasu City, AZ and finished in Batavia, OH.   49 race teams of women pilots flew this 2500 statue mile long route, each competing against her own handicap speed.  I flew as copilot with Terry Carbonell in her Cessna 182 RG (N614WM nicknamed “Wild Mama”) as Classic Race Team #11. The race has 8 legs, with 9 airports participating including Lake Havasu City  AZ(KHII), Gallup NM(KGUP), Hereford TX(KHRX), Goodland KS(KGLD), David City, NE(93Y), Ashland SD(KASX), Chippewa Co.MI (KCIU), Benton Harbor MI (KBEH), and Batavia OH (I69).

This race is a VFR only daytime competition which challenges each team to fly the route at an altitude and time of day that will give them the best ground speed.  Teams must be in Batavia by Friday at 5 PM. Since flying in the clouds or choosing a different route to the destination to avoid weather are options not available in this event, pilots must use different strategies than the normal cross country skills.

Each of the 8 race legs begins and ends with a flyby of a timing line, which is done at 200-300 feet AGL along a prescribed route (for example, a  runway) with the wings level so the race number can be read. A cadre of volunteers at each of the 9 airports observes the flybys from the ground, ensuring that each aircraft flies the correct path and altitude, and recording the time passing the timing line. Proper radio calls, landing lights on and separating your plane from other racers and nonparticipating traffic at the airport are also required.  The enroute legs tend to be the quieter times in the race when you find out if your flight planned altitude was a good choice, and changing your plan when the predicted tailwind does not materialize. Of course there is an occasional popup TFR (that was not on the route when you did your preflight planning) to make life more interesting.  Terry did all the flying for our team, and loves the flybys!  Where else can you fly 200 feet over an airport at ground speeds approaching 200 knots?  As copilot I was in charge of navigating, radio calls, making sure the pilot is lined up with the proper runway, looking for traffic, timing the leg, cleaning the airplane, etc.  Navigation, weather, paper work, and strategic planning were shared responsibilities. The Rio Bravo 99’s hosted the 4 days of prerace safety briefings, airplane inspections and dinners in Lake Havasu City, AZ. 

Day One

On Race Day 1 (Tuesday June 19), the racers departed at 8 AM, with the first 2 legs flown over mountainous, arid terrain.  After overflying the first stop in Gallup, NM, we were the first plane to land at the next stop, Hereford, TX.  After a warm Texas welcome by the community and airport personnel we fueled up and checked the weather. Each team member was given a yellow rose and a wonderful buffet including sandwiches and cake to replenish her empty stomach!  Then it was north to Goodland with a great tailwind.

As the afternoon temperatures at cruise altitude approached 100 degrees, the temperatures in the cockpit also increased.  First the IPad overheated, followed by avionics including TCAD.  Terry was able to do some troubleshooting and silence the avionics alarm, but the yellow rose wilted enroute and could not be revived. Radio static increased dramatically and made us wonder if we had a failure.  No, it was just another protest from Wild Mama who was getting a little warm behind the panel. Being familiar with your aircraft system and how to troubleshoot them can be a critical part of the race.  After a stop at Goodland, we departed to the northeast to David City.

Day Two

Day Three

On Race Day 3, we departed Watertown and flew east to Ashland WI, which is at the western end of Lake Superior.  By the time we departed the morning fog had lifted to become a scattered layer.  And the same improving weather was forecast at the destination, but would the overcast layer break up by the time we arrived? Luckily the weather did improve!   By this time several other race teams had also landed in Ashland, probably since they heard how great the brats were here!  Actually we were all here waiting for the rain showers to clear from the next leg, which crossed the upper peninsula of Michigan.  The FBO personnel and volunteers helped move aircraft to the self serve pumps, cooked lunch, etc. One volunteer wore a tee-shirt advertising his team’s name and logo, the “Ashland Ore Haulers”.   Sometimes you don’t have to leave the airport to know you’re not in FL anymore!

After we departed Ashland, the Apostle Islands and beautiful seashore were visible to the north on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, while forests and wetlands passed beneath us.  Unfortunately 11 race teams encountered worsening weather conditions and landed at Luce County Airport 35 miles to the west of Chippewa Co airport.  After being grounded for at least an hour, each was able to make her way into Chippewa Co. This ground time is added to the score for that leg of the race, but flight into IFR conditions is disqualifying, so not an option. That evening we stayed at a hotel 20 miles to the north at Sault Ste.  Marie. Accompanied by fellow racers and 99’s Susan and Marie Carastro, we had dinner and toured the Soo Locks overlook in downtown Sault St. Marie.  These locks made navigation possible from Lake Superior to Lake Huron.  There were no vessels locking though while we were there, but current locations of each boat (equipped with a transponder similar to an aircraft) hauling iron ore, coal and wheat are shown on a map in the visitors’ center.

Day Four

On Race Day 4 (Friday June 22) we departed Sault Ste. Marie for Benton Harbor, MI along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.  Beautiful scenery somewhat made up for the lack of tailwinds.  We were part of a group of more than 30 racers that landed at Benton Harbor with a sea of American flags and newspaper reporters. Then it was off to Batavia OH for the final leg through busy airspace at South Bend/Elkhart, Ft. Wayne, and Cincinnati class B airspace.  A large group of racers arrived that afternoon at Batavia with 48 teams completing the race.  The area was really BUSY, with the flyby on runway 22 and then returning to land on runway 4. Lots of airplanes and talk on the Unicom!

The post race festivities concluded with a 70^th birthday celebration hosted by Hal Shevers, of Sporty’s, which is headquartered at Batavia.  In addition to a catered supper, live music and fireworks topped off a festive evening.  At the banquet Sunday night the race results were announced with Team 11 taking third place, 0.5 knot slower than the winning team’s time.

Thanks again to the army of volunteers who make this event possible.  We really met some fascinating women pilots and 99’s from around the country. 

Next year’s route travels from Pasco Washington to Fayetteville, Arkansas. If you are looking for a grand flying adventures and a challenge to your flying skills, check out the Air Race Classic!