My First Air Race

The Mission...

...to fly the 2009 Air Race Classic and raise funds for Wings of Hope. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the transcontinental speed competition for women pilots that was first flown in 1929, and affectionately known as the "Powder Puff Derby." It will cover nearly 2,715 miles, with stops at ten airports in nine different states.

I'm flying in "Loki," my 1976 Bellanca Citabria, a two-seat, aerobatic, fabric-covered aircraft with a 150-hp engine. The race is handicapped, meaning that crews are timed against their aircraft's capabilities, rather than flying against the clock. It also means that winning the race is about the crew's skills, and not the equipment they are using. We're looking forward to showing our mettle in the lineup!

Marijke

I got my private pilot's license in July of 2005, and the very next weekend, flew to Oshkosh. The weekend after that, to Glacier National Park. With friends and mentors showing me the ropes, I landed the backcountry strips of Idaho, on a dry lake bed in Utah, and at the highest elevation civil use airport in America.

And I haven't stopped since, earning instrument and commercial ratings, competing in aerobatic contests, and hoping to work on instructor and multiengine ratings in the near future. My ultimate goal is to fly Twin Otters on skis in Antarctica, supporting science field missions.

I have worked hard to get this far in aviation. It means so much to me to follow in the footsteps of Louise Thaden, Amelia Earhart, Bobbi Trout and so many of their intrepid contemporaries in this race that they flew for the first time. I admire their courage, independent spirit, and de­ter­min­a­tion to prove themselves capable aviators.

Kara

I took my first flight in a general aviation aircraft 10 years ago and knew instantly that a flying career would mean getting paid to do something I loved. Since then I have enjoyed all my flying experiences, which include building ratings, flight instructing, ferrying a Cessna Cardinal from Atlanta to Boise, searching for wildfires in a Cessna 182, corporate flying in a King Air 200, an introduction to aerobatics, and learning to fly helicopters. My career goals are to be an aerial fire fighter and professional helicopter pilot. I love flying because of the adventure, romance, challenge, and the view.

I am ecstatic to fly in the Air Race Classic. In preparation I added a tailwheel endorsement to my aviation fun and I can barely wait to experience flying over 2,700 miles in a Citabria! I am truly honored to get the opportunity to help Wings of Hope with their noble mission. I am thankful for the continued support I receive from my husband, family, friends, mentors, 99s and the Whirly Girls.

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