The Purple Hearts were dealt another blow by low clouds on Friday when we were scheduled to fly the plane to the race. With the engine still on a watch cycle, the team just did not feel confident to fly full IFR in the clouds all the way to Frederick. So the plane did not report as expected and the team drove to the AOPA hangar to check-in even though the team has withdrawn from the race.
On Saturday, the Lady Buckeyes team 56 arrived and met the race officials for check-in and their credential check. As Teresa and Denise's 'baby birds' first-timer team-mates, the ladies tried to smooth the nerves as it is stressful to provide all of the plane and racer information if you have not done it before. To make matters even more stressful, when the Buckeyes made it to the tarmac, they urgently were requested to exit the field since the President's Marine One helicopter may need to land as a back-up airport to visiting Camp David nearby. Of course it might seem it was a joke except when in fact the airspace around Frederick has many military operation areas , the white
house, and Camp David's retreat which can create a sort of a vise on operations if political figures
are moving around.
All of the teams got together to man stations in the beautiful AOPA hangar to teach Girl Scouts principles of aviation and fun facts about flying and airplanes. About 200 kids came through to join the racers and had the teams sign their programs and talk about various aspects of being a female
pilot now and in the future.
In the evening, all of the teams were treated to a minor league ball game at the local stadium. Aside from a slight brief shower to cool off the slightly humid air. Teresa and Denise took the Lady Buckeyes out to do a little shopping and made sure they got tucked into their accommodations for the night. Tomorrow the actual race briefings begin so the work is starting just as anticipation for Tuesday's race day is building. EXCITING!!
-ed
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