Charley's Annual Inspection and sign-off was completed on June 1 and our very large number 3 has been predominately displayed on her tail. We have been doing some local flying to get Kay qualified and comfortable in the airplane. On Monday, June 7, Marty flew Charley to Fredericksburg for her "handicap" run. We will not know our handicap speed until the Air Race Classic folks unseal the box and publish our numbers.
Right now we are feeling a little overwhelmed with all the preparations and paperwork. Any modifiction that has been done since the plane came out of the factory has to have documentation in it's logbook. That means 57 years for Charley. Also, there are certain things you must carry in the aircraft. Keeping all this in mind, along with taking the minimal amount of stuff to keep our plane as light as possible, is quite a challenge. All this being new to both of us, has our brains pretty well fried at this point.
We will be gone about 2 1/2 weeks total. We are starting to watch the weather pattern from Texas to Florida, and the Air Race route. We still plan on departing Heritage Airpark on June 14, and doing a daily post to our blog to keep everyone updated as to our progress and whereabouts. Stay tuned for more information.
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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"
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.
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.
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.
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