The Racing Aces in the Aviat Husky as they taxi towards the apron at Mobile Downtown Airport in Alabama.

Day one of the race and there we were, flying west; destination Rawlins, Wyoming. Our mission was to hold several Girls with Wings presentations. I can count on one hand all of the places which I have traveled, so you can imagine my excitement to soar above the mountains, hillsides and plateaus. Our ETA was 4:30 pm and just in the nick of time for the first presentation at 5:30 pm. The Racing Aces were in flight to Great Bend Municipal Airport (KGBD) in Kansas. We were scheduled to meet up in Alabama in two days.

Dianna (Stanger) later told me, “The winds would push us and over forty; the visibility was good and we made the two hour flight. With all the delays, weather and eight hours of flight we decided, after making sure winds were favorable the following day, to not press on. We were experienced and fatiguing. Besides the winds were to be just as good…well the forecaster lied. The next morning the winds were not in our favor and a storm cell had popped up on our route to Hutchinson County Airport (KBGD) in Borger, Texas.”

Victoria (Holt) said, “The plains of Nebraska and Kansas were an awesome wonder with golden fields of tall grass dancing in the wind. That same wind saw favor on Classic #9. Our ground speed was outrageous! We flew our machine through the windmill farms in the Great State of Texas. We were close enough to them to see their giant blades spinning effortlessly powered only by the invisible wind!”

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, the Aces were making headlines everywhere! I had snapped what seemed like a million and one photographs and we still had four more days of ARC. The experience was absolutely amazing! A unique aspect of the race is that it takes you to places which you often would not consider as a travel destination. I don’t think Rawlins, Wyoming would be first on my list; however it’s a nice, quaint town. I enjoyed the overnight stay and look forward to returning one day.

The weather was a definite foe in this race; we woke up to storms brewing all around us. Lynda called earlier than expected and advised we leave asap before we were grounded in Rawlins for an extra day. That means we would then have to endure a nine hour flight the following day to make up time and ensure we reached Mobile, Alabama in time to capture the Aces crossing the finish line.

Luck was also a factor in the race. There are many elements that could delay your timing. What if four other planes landed at the same airport and all needed to be fueled? Mechanical problems, instrument issues and so forth. Basically a lot to worry about.

We flew that day to Tulsa International Airport (KTUL) in Oklahoma and settled in for the night. I was anxious to speak with the Aces and find out their progress. “Passing over hills, Victoria took advantage of every updraft she could find. This was a candy store for her as her initial pilots license was given in a glider! She enjoyed this part more than any other part of the race as she picked her clouds and set our plane to sailing,” Dianna said.

The next morning we had an early departure, 5:00 am! We had to get to Mobile Downtown Airport in Alabama before Dianna and Victoria. Indeed, we arrived about an hour before the Aces and I quickly grabbed the two video cameras, digital camera, tripods and recorder. I set up on one of the aprons and waited… it didn’t take long before I heard and saw the Husky begin to descend, approaching the runway. They taxied and began to tie down the airplane when a young girl ran to them and started talking a hundred miles a minute. It was Katherine French, the girl that was paired up with the Aces in a program via the Boys & Girls Club of Mobile, Adopt-a-Racer. Katherine had been following the Aces through out the race. How fun!

As they packed up, Victoria said, “The 2011 Air Race Classic was a spectacular adventure! We flew Classic #9 all over the mid section of the country and we saw beautiful scenery from a low altitude. Quite a change from my routine!” And that was it, the Racing Aces officially crossed the finish line. Matter of fact, they were the only tail dragger to complete the race.

In the end, the Racing Aces ended up placing in the middle of the pack. Both Dianna and Victoria were first time racers. Both learned the ropes and picked up tactics and techniques for the following year. Dianna said, “The volunteers from start to finish made it easy for first timers and always had an answer with a smile. All the participants were great people with the same passion: aviation. The fact that we were all female made it a very special club of women which I am very proud I was part of.”

You know what they say… luck be a lady; although we were not dealt the hand we had hoped for, the experience was spectacular! We are already planning for the 2012 Air Race Classic! Till next time, blue skies.

A view of Elk Mountain on the way from Alliance, Nebraska to Rawlins, Wyoming.