We are dedicating our Air Race in memory of Tex Goppert who we hope will watch over us so we DON'T DO ANYTHING DUMB.

Marty and Kay with "Charley"

Marty and Kay with "Charley"

History of the Air Race Classic

In 1929, nineteen women set out from Santa Monica, CA, in flimsy, propeller driven airplanes, with a mission to be the first to cover the cross-country course to Cleveland, OH. Dubbed "The Powder Puff Derby" by Will Rogers, the competition was honest, agressive and dangerous. The air race featured such notable women fliers as Amelia Earhart, Louise Thaden, and Pancho Barnes. One female pilot, Marvel Crosson, died during the air race. Louise Thaden won the race, with Gladys O'Donnell and Amelia Earhart coming in second and third. The women's air race fell by the wayside during the war years. The race was renamed the All Women Transcontinetal Air Race (AWTAR) Derby in the 1940's and is currently called the Air Race Classic. 2010 marks the 34th all women's transcontinental air race.







2010 Air Race Classic

The 2010 Air Race Classic starts at Page Field (KFMY), Fort Myers, FL and terminates at Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDK), Frederick, MD. The race has enroute stops at Waycross, GA (KAYS); Tuscaloosa, AL (KTCL); Hot Springs, AR (KHOT); Cameron, MO (KEZZ); Carbondale-Murphysboro, IL (KMDH); Elkhart, IN (KEKM); and Parkersburg, WV (KPKB). The race route is 2483.01sm, begins June 22 and ends on June 25. There are 55 all women race teams in the 2010 Air Race Classic. Marty and Kay will competing in Marty's 1953 Cessna 180. We will be Classic 3.





The Racers

Marty Goppert - Marty is an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII), Multi and Single Engine Land with over 5,000 flight hours. She has flown as a commuter pilot and medical airlift pilot. She flew a Stearman barnstorming act for 13 years with the "Flying Circus" in Bealeton, VA. Marty currently flies a 1953 Cessna 180.







Kay Renfrow - Kay is a 400 hour Private Pilot, Single Engine Land. Kay resides on a residential airpark in Texas and flies a 1950 Cessna 140A.



Thank You

Race Advisor - Jim

Maintenance Advisor - Tom

Sponsor - Gorilla Airfield in Onondaga, Michigan

and a big Thank You to our ground crew at Heritage Airpark; Dan, Chuck, Cliff and Trevor. We would have never got it done without all of you.










Thursday, June 17, 2010

Inspection Day

Today we had our aircraft inspection scheduled for the AM. Two mechanics gave Charley a pretty good "look over" and checked all our paperwork. We met with the Credentials Crew and they inspected our licenses, medicals and logbooks. All has gone OK. We have already met a lot of nice women and are looking forward to Tuesday when we actually take off for the race.
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownJune 17, 2010 at 5:49 PM

    Hi girls! Glad you made it with only weather slowing you down. Now the fun begins meeting all the other racers. enjoy every moment and try to journal as much as you can and take lots of pics. Next year you will be telling other newbies of your experiences!
    Fair winds,
    Becky Smith

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJune 18, 2010 at 7:39 PM

    Marty & Kay,

    We wish you the best!! Stay safe and let us know how it is going. Go Team Charley!
    Steve, Patusa & Michael

    ReplyDelete

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