Air Race Classic
The Air Race Classic is the epicenter of women's air racing. Overall, pilots range in age from 17 to 90 years old and come from a wide variety of backgrounds including students, teachers, doctors, airline pilots, business owners, professionals and air traffic controllers. WMU is proud to participate in the historical race. In addition to the roles of WMU flight instructor, pilot/co-pilot, non-pilot racer, and alternate pilot, students can be involved with the weather team.
Race Teams must fly VFR during daylight hours only and are given four days to make flybys at each en route timing point and then land at the terminus. The race route changes each year, approximately 2,400 statute miles in length with 8 or 9 timing points.Each airplane is assigned a handicap speed – and the goal is to have the actual ground speed be as far over the handicap speed as possible. The pilots are thus given the leeway to play the elements, holding out for better weather, winds, etc. The objective is to fly the "perfect" cross-country. In this type of race, the official standings cannot be released until the final entrant has crossed the finish line. Actually, the last arrival can be the winner.
