Purdue Air Race Classic 2019

After landing in Welland, Nina and I had some time to sightsee while our aircraft was impounded for inspections. We visited Niagara Falls with our friends and it was incredible.  The falls from the Canadian side are breathtaking.  Soon it was banquet time, where we would wait in suspense to hear the final ranking. We placed 25th in the 2019 Women's Air Race Classic. The president of the Air Race Classic had a quote she mentioned a couple times at the start briefings, saying that winning is "1/3 planning, 1/3 flying, and 1/3 luck." Nina and I had an amazing race where we met so many inspiring people.  There is no other experience like the Air Race. The flight experience is unique; only with this organization do we ever fly an aircraft across the country at full throttle , surrounded by women pilots from around the globe, continuing this historic race.  I was honored to have represented Purdue University in this r...

CYYB-CYFD-CNQ3 6.21.19 We landed in Welland! Our morning started off early in North Bay (CYYB), we wanted to get off the ground early in hopes of catching the tailwind. We waited on a fuel truck for a bit and then we were off! On the North Bay to Brantford (CYFD) leg, we contacted Toronto Centre who helped inform us of any traffic on our route.  CYFD was our first flyby to continue on this race so we planned our descent, lined up, flew the flyby, and kept on our route to Welland (CNQ3). After completing our flyby at Welland we landed and were greeted by volunteers waving Canadian flags. We parked and turned in our paperwork. We were driven from our parking spot on a closed runway in style by the vehicles pictured above. Later in the evening there was a Meltdown party at the Dorothy Rungeling Airport(CNQ3), where we became honorary members of the Alligator Club of Pelham.  As for the scoring of the race, we will not know where we ...

KLXT-KFRM KFRM-KAUW 6.19.19 LXT is Lee Summit, MO where we had stopped for the night in hopes that the next morning would be flyable. We woke up early and headed to the airport where MVFR (marginal visual flight rules) conditions and IFR (in-cloud flying) to the north made it so we could not depart. As we waited for the weather to clear along with many other teams, we were able to meet a female pilot pioneer, who received her pilot license in 1940, her name is Jeanette Bratton. She told us she learned how to fly before she learned how to drive. It was so amazing to meet her and have her tell us some of her stories. After some more waiting, debating, and weather briefer calling, we decided to takeoff and head to the next stop, Fairmont, MN. We made this one a quick turn where we fueled up and took off headed to Wausau, WI. Flying into Wausau was beautiful and we were greeted by the friendly FBO cat. I had to add this photo to show the bug massacre ...

Race Day One: Wowza KMKL-KSUZ KSUZ-KLXT The day started off with less than ideal weather. All the racers woke up for breakfast and a briefing where our start was delayed for an hour. Catching a ride to our plane on a golf-cart We headed to the airport to preflight and pull our planes out of the grass onto pavement. Since it had rained the night before the field was soaked and therefore our shoes ended up waterlogged.  After some more delays due to low ceilings and IFR weather on the route, the race officials cancelled our legs to LaGrange, GA and Hattiesburg, MS. We were sad about not being able to stop at these places as the volunteers work hard to help the event run smoothly, but the race must go on and go on it did at noon CDT direct to Saline County, Arkansas. The first flyby is always as busy as a beehive, so we kept our eyes outside and ears listening as we set up for the flyby. A plane landing and one taxiing  We stopped for fuel at SUZ (Salin...

Purdue University has sent an air race team to compete for 25 consecutive years, with this year being the 26th. Flying an aircraft and entering the race requires funds. Our team relies on sponsorship to be able to send racers every year. I wanted to highlight our sponsors of this year's race starting with t he Indianapolis Aero Club.  The Indianapolis Aero Club members have been generous with their gift while also creating a friendly mini competition between Purdue and ISU (Indiana State University) during the Air Race Classic. Whichever team comes out on top on the final scoreboard will take home the Margaret J. Ringenberg Memorial Trophy presented by the Indy Aero Club until the next year's race. Our sponsors this year will fly with us during the race(listed below): Feature Indianapolis Aero Club The Imhoff Family Platinum Christopher Konecnik Gold Marie Janus Kiersten Bouthier Silver Rob and Emi...

Today was the deadline for all the racers to be parked and have inspections complete for the race. The morning started off with a classic hangar pancake breakfast where we sat with our friends from Indiana State University. Nina and I volunteered at the youth aviation event that the Memphis Chapter of the 99's (Ninety-Nines) hosted. We talked with the young girls about flying and about aviation careers. Friends from LeTorneau Univ., Auburn Univ., Kent State, The Ohio State, and MSU Denver of Metro St Univ. of Denver  A welcome luau was held for all the racers. We were able to mingle and meet many teams including friends from previous races. A Grumman Goose showed up for the luau. When it departed, they rocked their wings and did a low pass by the hangar making everyone cheer. - Classic Racer #16

Nina and I arrived in Ja ckson, TN at the McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport (MKL). We departed Purdue University after saying goodbye to friends and doing some interviews . Nina cleaning the windscreen Tiffany cleaning the underbelly Upon landing at MKL we parked and immediately started cleaning our aircraft of all the bugs that decided to hitch a ride to Tennessee with us. With the help of the FBO workers and volunteers we pushed the plane to its designated spot and staked it into the ground. Racer credentials and aircraft inspections were up next, where race central moved us through the process efficiently.  After completing all inspections, we headed to a ballgame: Jackson Generals vs. Biloxi Shuckers. Here we chatted with some other collegiate teams and did the chicken dance in front of the whole stadium with a whole bunch of other air race ladies.  Boiler up!