Publicity Blitz Weekend

Despite a gusty start to the weekend, the Hearts were determined to pack in as many events as the team could shove in between Friday and Monday. The first event was to shuttle the Purple flyer to Massachusetts high ground to the city of North Adams at Harriman and West airport (KAQW)  where the ladies participated in a 99's Compass Rose painting event. It was a good chance to show off the plane, meet loads of people, and improve an already beautiful  airport at the same time.

On Sunday the ladies flew the plane over to Meriden Markham airport in Connecticut (KMMK) for an air festival, fly-in, and hour-long presentation on air racing. The plane was prominently  on display by the grandstand and the ladies recapped their 2016 race adventure to both pilots and non-pilots alike resulting in additional much appreciated generous donations to our official charity, Wings of Hope and the 'beast's' thirsty appetite for 'blue fuel'. The event was very active  with many visitors stopping by the plane for a peek or a seat in the cockpit.

On Monday the ladies participated in the New England 99's  section, Connecticut chapter meeting and again recapped their recent activities and updated the group on the June 2017 race. The chapter graciously voted to sponsor  the team with a donation towards fuel and in particular Denise's inaugural timing run out of Frederick, Maryland next month. All in all it was a tremendously busy and enjoyable blitz of a weekend. Thanks to all who the team had a chance to meet, chat with, and participate in these worthwhile aviation events.

-ed

Earth Day Charity Flight

This year for Earth Day, the team offered up a charity flight to not only promote air racing, but also a chance for some fans to tour our troposphere like pilot's do every day - from the happiest place on earth - the COCKPIT! It was a gorgeous, gusty, sunny day awash with anticipation of a fun 108 nm flight around the city and the picturesque Connecticut coastline. 

Though the flight came off without a hitch, the gang faced a few challenging variables with a fully loaded plane, HOT weather, a Presidential TFR (temporary flight restriction), and some bumpy air thrown in just for fun. Everyone had a wonderful time and after today's flight - who knows maybe a couple of future pilots are in the offing?

Our thanks as always to Archer Partners LLC for donating the use of their pretty purple machine, Carl, Bill, and Ann for supporting our Earth Day charity tour and of course a few extra kudos from the whole team to everybody's favorite planet -  EARTH; you truly are awe-inspiring!

- ed.

Our Mentees - Lady Buckeyes Team 56

The Air Race Classic is a special community of women pilots. A long-standing tradition is that more experienced teams (Mama Birds) act as welcoming mentors for new racers known as their 'baby birds'. This year Denise and Teresa have the privilege of  introducing the 'Lady Buckeyes', team #56 from Ohio State University to the 2017 race.

This week, the teams met up via video conferencing to get to know each other, field questions, and maybe,... just a little - calm nerves. The ladies from Ohio State were exuberant, enchanting and excited to start the  race (just as soon as they could get FINALS behind them). These competent young pilots are the first women offered up by the University to participate in the race in hopes of exploring the idea of  fielding future competitive race teams as part of the existing excellent campus aviation program.

Take a few moments to check out our 'baby birds' and visit their 'Go Fund Me' page to help out with race expenses at:  https://www.gofundme.com/ohio-state-air-race-classic-team . Congratulations to these pioneer Buckeyes - we wish them much luck and bright futures in all things aviation. - ed

147.4 MPH is the speed standard to beat

The team received official notice today that their handicap run  had been approved and recorded at 147.4 Miles Per hour or approximately 127 knots for the race. This will be the number that team '38' will be racing to EXCEED as best as they can throughout every one of the nine legs of the race.

Remember, unlike a typical auto race where the cars' horsepower are all classed alike and face essentially the exact same road and weather conditions, aircraft in the Air Race Classic are ALL different. Each plane has the option to plan what time of day to race, what route to pass over, weather to avoid or push through and of course what altitude to fly.

All of these variables have a direct effect on the ground speed of the aircraft. If the team can catch a favorable tailwind or navigate precisely between fly-bys then their recorded speed for that particular leg of the race will almost certainly  exceed the speed standard for their plane. If the 'Hearts' meet a weather front and suffer head-winds or have to keep the engine cooler in hot weather by running less RPM's then their recorded time will likely be slower than the standard time. The goal is for EACH plane to beat their own number by as large of margin as possible without penalties from failure to follow proper transmission and timing line protocols.

-ed

It's a NUMBERS game

Despite appearance for months that the Purple Machine has been flying around the Northeast emblazoned in its race dress, for the most part, those early promotional shots are a figment of our digital imagination. Yes, once the team's race number is assigned, it does take a couple of months to build a web presence, get the ladies new duds to show off , as well as print info, cards, and pins.

Well finally last week, to end April and to get in the spirit of the Handicap run, the gang met plane-side to officially christen the cowling of the Archer with its new '38' designation for the next couple of months. With a bout of sporadic but heavy rain we had to break off in the middle of mounting the numbers but by the early afternoon, the plane looked happily 'race-ready' and ready to run. - ed

Handicap Stats 2017

Amazingly the 'Hearts' squeezed in a successful handicap flight right in the middle of an approaching weather front forming a couple of states over. The morning was crisp and cool but the sun was shining brightly. The purple plane was cleared of frost, some annoying pollen, and the tanks were filled in preparation for the square flight pattern at approximately 7500 feet over Western Connecticut and Eastern New York.

The plane flew flawlessly however the on-board GPS was intermittent which was frustrating. Ultimately the 'Bad Elf' GPS data logger was preserved and of course Captain Alica Sikes as the handicap check pilot, also recorded handwritten data points along the route.

Overall the flight took just over an hour with light winds and great visibility for the entire trip. The race is just around the corner and things are now getting really exciting. Stay tuned! - ed