Fairhope, Alabama. (fairhopetimes@att.net)
FINISH-LINE LANDING JUNE 25
At its May meeting, the Airport Authority finalized plans for the finish of the all-female-pilot cross country Air Race Classic, scheduled to begin in Virginia on June 22nd and terminate at Fairhope's Sonny Callahan airport June 25th, with events continuing here for the next three days.
The two-person teams will fly the final leg of the time-trial event from Gadsden, about 264 miles.
The race began in 1929 as the Women's Air Derby (aka 'Powder Puff') with Amelia Earhart a
participant -- with the aim of encouraging more girls to consider flying as a career possibility.
Pam Caudill, the Authority's only female member, has been organizing the event at this end in anticipation of the 55 two-person teams, their family, staff, and supporters -- who will be staying at the Hampton Inn downtown: 292 'room-nights' have already been booked there with spillover to the Holiday Inn Express.
Pole banners, posters, radio advertising, etc. will soon begin for the event, which is expected to have a significant financial impact for local businesses.
A limited number of tickets for Thursday's Hangar Party Barbecue will be on sale at the Page and Palette book store and the airport itself until June 1st.
An Awards Banquet will be Saturday night as well.
The full schedule for the 3 day event is below.
TRIO FROM CALIFORNIA EXPECTED
Among the competitors will be a trio of Santa Barbara Calif. pilots calling themselves the Above All Fly Girls, who hope to make multiple stops to educate young girls about careers in flying .
They "hope to inspire women nationwide to achieve their own lofty dreams."
A 'Team Wild Mama' from Florida will also be competing.
FINISH-LINE LANDING JUNE 25
At its May meeting, the Airport Authority finalized plans for the finish of the all-female-pilot cross country Air Race Classic, scheduled to begin in Virginia on June 22nd and terminate at Fairhope's Sonny Callahan airport June 25th, with events continuing here for the next three days.
"The Air Race Classicis the epicenter of women’s air racing. Meet amazing women pilots from all walks of life. Race teams, consisting of at least two women pilots, must fly VFR during daylight hours only and are given four days to make flybys at each en route stop and then land at the terminus. The race routes change each year and are over 2,100 nautical miles in length. Each plane is flown in race configuration to determine its handicap speed and the challenge for each race team is to achieve actual ground speeds as far over the handicap speed as possible. The pilots strategize to play the elements, holding out for better weather, winds, etc. The objective is to fly your “perfect” cross country. In this type of race, the official standings are not known until the last entrant has crossed the finish line. Indeed, the last arrival at the terminus can be the winner!"
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| May 2015 Airport Authority |
The race began in 1929 as the Women's Air Derby (aka 'Powder Puff') with Amelia Earhart a
participant -- with the aim of encouraging more girls to consider flying as a career possibility.
Pam Caudill, the Authority's only female member, has been organizing the event at this end in anticipation of the 55 two-person teams, their family, staff, and supporters -- who will be staying at the Hampton Inn downtown: 292 'room-nights' have already been booked there with spillover to the Holiday Inn Express.
Pole banners, posters, radio advertising, etc. will soon begin for the event, which is expected to have a significant financial impact for local businesses.A limited number of tickets for Thursday's Hangar Party Barbecue will be on sale at the Page and Palette book store and the airport itself until June 1st.
An Awards Banquet will be Saturday night as well.
The full schedule for the 3 day event is below.
TRIO FROM CALIFORNIA EXPECTED
Among the competitors will be a trio of Santa Barbara Calif. pilots calling themselves the Above All Fly Girls, who hope to make multiple stops to educate young girls about careers in flying .
 |
| 'Above all Fly-girls' |
A 'Team Wild Mama' from Florida will also be competing.
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