Team Ely-Kummer earned third place in the 2010 Air Race Classic!
So there's always next year.... for FIRST place!
Final results are posted on the ARC site, at www.AirRaceClassic.org.
AOPA did an interview at the banquet and that should come up on their website, on "AOPA Live" soon.
Congratulations to all the racers, and especially to the team 29, who overcame tremendous obstacles to get to the finish line on time, and made it in just in time because they never gave up! Congrats, Heather and Sandra, you two are real winners! You can read their story here: http://warriorwomen2010.wordpress.com/
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Awards Day
The awards banquet is this evening, and racers are finally relaxing and getting caught up on rest.
I was so happy to see Mike here at the terminus. After getting the airplane tied down, just adjacent to AOPA headquarters, we hopped in a car with fellow racer Mary Wunder and she drove us over to the terminal building. There was my Honey, waiting for me, with kisses and hugs, and all smiles.
Yesterday we went to the Rosenstock Auditorium at Hood College on downtown Historic Frederick City’s Carroll Creek for the very first public screening - the world premier - of Breaking Through The Clouds, a documentary on the First Women's Air Derby of 1929, the one that started it all. Twenty women raced, single-pilot, across the country from Santa Monica to Cleveland to finish at the (men's only) National Air Races. This film was the first produced by Heather Taylor and she did a phenomenal job. Many family members of the original air racers were present to view the film, including the daughter of race winner Louise Thaden. With the help of a Wolf Aviation Fund grant and tremendous support, Ms. Taylor has spent twelve years researching and producing this movie, which includes original clips of the race and the women. Prior to the start of the film, Ms. Taylor explained that little did she know when she began research for her film that it would be ready in time for the 100th anniversary of women's air racing. And little did she know, when she started learning about film making, as a student at Hood College, that the Air Race Classic would happen to end in her hometown, Frederick, Maryland. Amazing stories all the way around, and one incredible documentary. http://www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com/.
Following the movie we all headed over to the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center in the Gallery at the college for a VIP reception, enhanced by a juried art show. Artist Frank DuVal was present, showing all his women in air racing artwork, a suite of drawings of women of the 1929 race as well as those of the 2010 race. His work is truly amazing. He has donated one piece to Air Race Classic for auction.
Tonight the winners of the race will be announced at Dutch's Daughter. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley's mother, Barbara, will make a presentation on behalf of the governor to honor the Sugarloaf Chapter of the Ninety-Nines and the Air Race Classic.
We're having a blast here in Frederick. Wish you were here.
I was so happy to see Mike here at the terminus. After getting the airplane tied down, just adjacent to AOPA headquarters, we hopped in a car with fellow racer Mary Wunder and she drove us over to the terminal building. There was my Honey, waiting for me, with kisses and hugs, and all smiles.
Yesterday we went to the Rosenstock Auditorium at Hood College on downtown Historic Frederick City’s Carroll Creek for the very first public screening - the world premier - of Breaking Through The Clouds, a documentary on the First Women's Air Derby of 1929, the one that started it all. Twenty women raced, single-pilot, across the country from Santa Monica to Cleveland to finish at the (men's only) National Air Races. This film was the first produced by Heather Taylor and she did a phenomenal job. Many family members of the original air racers were present to view the film, including the daughter of race winner Louise Thaden. With the help of a Wolf Aviation Fund grant and tremendous support, Ms. Taylor has spent twelve years researching and producing this movie, which includes original clips of the race and the women. Prior to the start of the film, Ms. Taylor explained that little did she know when she began research for her film that it would be ready in time for the 100th anniversary of women's air racing. And little did she know, when she started learning about film making, as a student at Hood College, that the Air Race Classic would happen to end in her hometown, Frederick, Maryland. Amazing stories all the way around, and one incredible documentary. http://www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com/.
Following the movie we all headed over to the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center in the Gallery at the college for a VIP reception, enhanced by a juried art show. Artist Frank DuVal was present, showing all his women in air racing artwork, a suite of drawings of women of the 1929 race as well as those of the 2010 race. His work is truly amazing. He has donated one piece to Air Race Classic for auction.
Tonight the winners of the race will be announced at Dutch's Daughter. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley's mother, Barbara, will make a presentation on behalf of the governor to honor the Sugarloaf Chapter of the Ninety-Nines and the Air Race Classic.
We're having a blast here in Frederick. Wish you were here.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Finish Line!
We did it! Crossed the finish line in Frederick Friday morning, and boy were we happy! Tired, and happy.
What a contrast to coming in to Parkersburg, where we could barely find the airport. We saw Frederick over ten miles out.
This race has felt much busier to me than the previous two, but I'm not sure why. I think we are a great team - Liza is a super team mate.
When we lined up to leave Fort Myers for the start of the race, I thought we'd be off the ground by 8:25. But traffic was pretty busy that morning so it took a little longer for the tower to get 51 airplanes going.
I'd flown the handicap flight two days before and we received a handicap speed of 113.9. I was happy with that, but was quite surprised that it turned out to be the lowest handicap speed of all.
So off we went, finally, sometime after 9am Tuesday morning, and headed toward Waycross, Georgia. Liza took the first leg, which we agreed on partly because the right seat is the busiest and when one pilot is a first-time racer it's easier to have the more experienced racer taking the workload of navigation, timing, communication, etc. Liza flew a good, straight line and we both felt it was a decent time.
Then it was on to Tuscaloosa. A couple of airplanes had had trouble at the start, but everyone was able to leave Fort Myers, but in Tuscaloosa more problems appeared for some of the other race planes. A fuel pump eventually ended the race for one team, a starter put another team behind, and another had repeated avionics problems. Our only concerns were making it in to Hot Springs the first day because of the weather forecast, and the fact that the Cheetah's engine doesn't like to start hot. So every stop we planned to open the cowling as soon as we were shut down. I was a bit nervous about her hot-start capabilities, but our plan turned out to work well.
Making Hot Springs we felt was crucial to the overall strategy, and we were relieved to be able to bed down there for the night. My poison ivy was being treated with prescription creams, thanks to Liza and another racer, Dr. Sue, a dermatologist. My two docs discussed the best strategy to help stop the itching, and although it had spread quite a bit, the itching finally subsided, my puffy eyes and big fat lips finally began to look normal again.
Wednesday morning we headed to Cameron, Missouri. My personal favorite stop, other than the terminus here in Frederick, was Cameron, where the local Ninety-Nines hosted great tasting refreshment in one of the hangars, including strawberries, non-alcoholic bubbly drink, chicken salad sandwiches, little fresh sachet smelly things for the airplane, and a FREE neck and back massage. Cameron is a small town out in the middle of nowhere. They have only self-serve fuel, but there were guys there offering to help with fueling, and pulling the planes around in line. It was a right friendly place.
From there it was on to Carbondale. That was a fun stop because its a college town, home of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and the college not only had entered the Air Race Classic for the first time, but they entered three teams! So there were many fans and lots of enthusiasm at Carbondale.
Next stop, Elkhart, Indiana. This was another major milestone for us, making Elkhart. Making it there, the sixth of eight legs by the second day meant we had more leeway to strategize the final two legs. Elkhart was another great stop because I enjoyed watching the torrential thunderstorms come through (after the plane was in the hangar), and the familiar Indiana landscape I know and love. The volunteers there were fabulous. The local EAA chapter was out in full force helping with everything from shuttling to hotels to handing out refreshments, and being there with friendly smiles and encouragement.
Day Three saw only one flight, in to Parkersburg. We had a hard time finding the airport - this was the most challenging leg for us. The best part of Parkersburg was getting to have dinner with my cousin Jan and meeting some of her friends. We only had one more leg to go at that point, but it was one I wanted to be fully rested for.
Going in to Frederick we'd have to fly over the Appalachian Mountains and then would have to fly right between the restricted air space of Camp David to the north and Washington, D.C. to the south. Getting in either of those no-fly zones would get us an escort from a few F-18s, so being sharp and having my head fully in the flight was important. This last leg was mine to fly, and I sure didn't want to end up too low over the mountains or in a federal prison. So we got some sleep and saved the last leg for Friday morning.
Mike was already in Frederick waiting to cheer us on at the finish line, as he has been the previous two years I've raced.
There were clouds over the Appalachians, but fortunately we were able to climb over them. A nice tailwind gave us a good speed at 7,500 feet, and descending put us at redline, making this last leg a good time. Spotting the airport here was a breeze, and this normally high-density traffic airport was relatively quiet, or quieter than I expected when we arrived for the flyby past the time line. Our time line ran across one runway, and traffic was landing on the other one that crossed it, so radio communication was vital. But there wasn't much traffic around when we came in, so down we swooped for the high speed low approach, then an immediate left turn to stay out of restricted airspace, and land on the other runway.
We were marshalled to the grass along a taxiway, greeted at the plane, and after unloading all our personal belongings, posing for the photos, and locking up the plane, we turned in the keys, the plane impounded at this point.
One of the best things about the terminus being in Frederick was that this is the home of AOPA. We had a tour of AOPA this afternoon and I got to meet some of the people I've worked with over the past few years as the Airport Support Network Volunteer for the Liberty Airport. I heard one of our press releases made AOPA's SmartBrief this morning, too.
We had lunch at the restaurant on the field, interrupted by a tv interview for the local CBS affiliate. A handful of people were gathered to watch the interview, including the Zimmermans. Mrs. Zimmerman said how "honored" she was to be there with all these women race pilots, and her husband agreed. Then we found out Mr. Zimmerman had stormed the beach at Normandy! And he was honored to be there with US?! Walt Zimmerman, it was such an great honor to meet you, my friend. It is because of you and those who served with you that I am even able to fly this race.
****
Mike took me to the hotel where I zonked out for about an hour and then we returned to the airport for the melt-down party in the hangar. The local helicopter school was offering flights and Liza went up on one, so hopefully she'll contribute her story here. I got a picture of her going up.
Tomorrow there will be lots to do, and I'll have more to post.
What a contrast to coming in to Parkersburg, where we could barely find the airport. We saw Frederick over ten miles out.
This race has felt much busier to me than the previous two, but I'm not sure why. I think we are a great team - Liza is a super team mate.
When we lined up to leave Fort Myers for the start of the race, I thought we'd be off the ground by 8:25. But traffic was pretty busy that morning so it took a little longer for the tower to get 51 airplanes going.
I'd flown the handicap flight two days before and we received a handicap speed of 113.9. I was happy with that, but was quite surprised that it turned out to be the lowest handicap speed of all.
So off we went, finally, sometime after 9am Tuesday morning, and headed toward Waycross, Georgia. Liza took the first leg, which we agreed on partly because the right seat is the busiest and when one pilot is a first-time racer it's easier to have the more experienced racer taking the workload of navigation, timing, communication, etc. Liza flew a good, straight line and we both felt it was a decent time.
Then it was on to Tuscaloosa. A couple of airplanes had had trouble at the start, but everyone was able to leave Fort Myers, but in Tuscaloosa more problems appeared for some of the other race planes. A fuel pump eventually ended the race for one team, a starter put another team behind, and another had repeated avionics problems. Our only concerns were making it in to Hot Springs the first day because of the weather forecast, and the fact that the Cheetah's engine doesn't like to start hot. So every stop we planned to open the cowling as soon as we were shut down. I was a bit nervous about her hot-start capabilities, but our plan turned out to work well.
Making Hot Springs we felt was crucial to the overall strategy, and we were relieved to be able to bed down there for the night. My poison ivy was being treated with prescription creams, thanks to Liza and another racer, Dr. Sue, a dermatologist. My two docs discussed the best strategy to help stop the itching, and although it had spread quite a bit, the itching finally subsided, my puffy eyes and big fat lips finally began to look normal again.
Wednesday morning we headed to Cameron, Missouri. My personal favorite stop, other than the terminus here in Frederick, was Cameron, where the local Ninety-Nines hosted great tasting refreshment in one of the hangars, including strawberries, non-alcoholic bubbly drink, chicken salad sandwiches, little fresh sachet smelly things for the airplane, and a FREE neck and back massage. Cameron is a small town out in the middle of nowhere. They have only self-serve fuel, but there were guys there offering to help with fueling, and pulling the planes around in line. It was a right friendly place.
From there it was on to Carbondale. That was a fun stop because its a college town, home of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and the college not only had entered the Air Race Classic for the first time, but they entered three teams! So there were many fans and lots of enthusiasm at Carbondale.
Next stop, Elkhart, Indiana. This was another major milestone for us, making Elkhart. Making it there, the sixth of eight legs by the second day meant we had more leeway to strategize the final two legs. Elkhart was another great stop because I enjoyed watching the torrential thunderstorms come through (after the plane was in the hangar), and the familiar Indiana landscape I know and love. The volunteers there were fabulous. The local EAA chapter was out in full force helping with everything from shuttling to hotels to handing out refreshments, and being there with friendly smiles and encouragement.
Day Three saw only one flight, in to Parkersburg. We had a hard time finding the airport - this was the most challenging leg for us. The best part of Parkersburg was getting to have dinner with my cousin Jan and meeting some of her friends. We only had one more leg to go at that point, but it was one I wanted to be fully rested for.
Going in to Frederick we'd have to fly over the Appalachian Mountains and then would have to fly right between the restricted air space of Camp David to the north and Washington, D.C. to the south. Getting in either of those no-fly zones would get us an escort from a few F-18s, so being sharp and having my head fully in the flight was important. This last leg was mine to fly, and I sure didn't want to end up too low over the mountains or in a federal prison. So we got some sleep and saved the last leg for Friday morning.
Mike was already in Frederick waiting to cheer us on at the finish line, as he has been the previous two years I've raced.
There were clouds over the Appalachians, but fortunately we were able to climb over them. A nice tailwind gave us a good speed at 7,500 feet, and descending put us at redline, making this last leg a good time. Spotting the airport here was a breeze, and this normally high-density traffic airport was relatively quiet, or quieter than I expected when we arrived for the flyby past the time line. Our time line ran across one runway, and traffic was landing on the other one that crossed it, so radio communication was vital. But there wasn't much traffic around when we came in, so down we swooped for the high speed low approach, then an immediate left turn to stay out of restricted airspace, and land on the other runway.
We were marshalled to the grass along a taxiway, greeted at the plane, and after unloading all our personal belongings, posing for the photos, and locking up the plane, we turned in the keys, the plane impounded at this point.
One of the best things about the terminus being in Frederick was that this is the home of AOPA. We had a tour of AOPA this afternoon and I got to meet some of the people I've worked with over the past few years as the Airport Support Network Volunteer for the Liberty Airport. I heard one of our press releases made AOPA's SmartBrief this morning, too.
We had lunch at the restaurant on the field, interrupted by a tv interview for the local CBS affiliate. A handful of people were gathered to watch the interview, including the Zimmermans. Mrs. Zimmerman said how "honored" she was to be there with all these women race pilots, and her husband agreed. Then we found out Mr. Zimmerman had stormed the beach at Normandy! And he was honored to be there with US?! Walt Zimmerman, it was such an great honor to meet you, my friend. It is because of you and those who served with you that I am even able to fly this race.
****
Mike took me to the hotel where I zonked out for about an hour and then we returned to the airport for the melt-down party in the hangar. The local helicopter school was offering flights and Liza went up on one, so hopefully she'll contribute her story here. I got a picture of her going up.
Tomorrow there will be lots to do, and I'll have more to post.
Last day brief update
We've had precious little time for anything but racing and prep for the next day. Sorry, but a re-cap will have to suffice.
We're on the final day, we'll be departing out of Parkersburg, WV sometime today for the final leg of the race. It was pretty choppy coming into Parkersburg, but the tailwinds were nice. Liza and I have alternated flying the legs and this last one is mine. I love flying the final!
You may be able to listen live to the finish line at http://www.liveatc.net/search/?icao=kfdk - click on the CTAF frequency provided there, although I can't tell you exactly what time we'll be arriving. We'll be announcing "Classic Racer 55, 10 miles, fly-by to land," then a 5-mile call, then a final call.
This has been a fun, exciting race. Huge storms came through Elkhart, Indiana Wednesday evening, and fortunately the FBO was able to get most of the planes in hangars. We hear no planes were damaged, but the winds reached over 70 mph.
This airport here in Parkersburg was a little hard to find...behind a tree-covered hill... woops, there it is... more on that later.
Here in Parkersburg it was great to have a chance to meet my cousin Jan for dinner. We're staying at a hotel just a block or two from her house. She brought along some friends and Liza and I and three other race teams enjoyed the evening.
We won't have any results until late Sunday evening, and I'll post as soon as I know, and then will write up a full re-cap of the race. For now, let me just say, I'm pretty tired.
We're on the final day, we'll be departing out of Parkersburg, WV sometime today for the final leg of the race. It was pretty choppy coming into Parkersburg, but the tailwinds were nice. Liza and I have alternated flying the legs and this last one is mine. I love flying the final!
You may be able to listen live to the finish line at http://www.liveatc.net/search/?icao=kfdk - click on the CTAF frequency provided there, although I can't tell you exactly what time we'll be arriving. We'll be announcing "Classic Racer 55, 10 miles, fly-by to land," then a 5-mile call, then a final call.
This has been a fun, exciting race. Huge storms came through Elkhart, Indiana Wednesday evening, and fortunately the FBO was able to get most of the planes in hangars. We hear no planes were damaged, but the winds reached over 70 mph.
This airport here in Parkersburg was a little hard to find...behind a tree-covered hill... woops, there it is... more on that later.
Here in Parkersburg it was great to have a chance to meet my cousin Jan for dinner. We're staying at a hotel just a block or two from her house. She brought along some friends and Liza and I and three other race teams enjoyed the evening.
We won't have any results until late Sunday evening, and I'll post as soon as I know, and then will write up a full re-cap of the race. For now, let me just say, I'm pretty tired.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Race Day
Busy, busy, busy, ever since our Saturday morning arrival. We landed here at the start in Fort Myers about 9:05 a.m. local time on Satuday and went immediately to credentials checks, then airplane inspection, then registration... finally checked in to the hotel and went back to the airport in time for the bbq. Fort Myers' mayor and port authority folks were at the bbq and said a few words of encouragement and congratulations to the racers.
Sunday morning started off with our handicap flight, and from there was filled with briefings, beginning at 10 am, and Monday the same.
Now it's Tuesday morning, Race Day, and we'll start off with a final weather briefing over breakfast, then off to the airport.
Team Ely-Kummer being #55 will be starting next-to-last. There are now 51 airplanes in the race, as some have dropped out.
I think we received a fair handicap, 113.9 knots. The challenges we will face racing the Cheetah will be 1) starting at the back, meaning a later take-off time, meaning less opportunity to skirt any weather problems; and 2) we have the lowest handicap speed of the entire field. Even the Grumman Traveler and all C172 models handicapped faster.
Looks like our weather challenges will be at the first stop at Waycross, as t'storms are forecast by 1 pm local time - if all goes well we'll be out of there before then; and then for Wednesday, Elkhart, Indiana's forecast doesn't look too great.
I want to send a big huge thanks to Mr. J. W. French for the "GOOD LUCK!" phone call last night. J.W. flew around the country in a Bucker Jungmeister two years ago, a tribute flight, the Sam Burgess Memorial Junket. We met him when he came through Liberty, Texas on his trip. I was pleasantly surprised and honored that he thought of me and took the time to call and wish us the best.
You may be able to listen to the start live on www.liveatc.net if the Fort Myers Page Field tower is up. Go to LiveATC.net and navigate to KFMY, which is Page Field, and click on the control tower. We are scheduled to take off at 8 am local time.
We'll turn on the Spot tracker and will check in on this blog as we can.
Sunday morning started off with our handicap flight, and from there was filled with briefings, beginning at 10 am, and Monday the same.
Now it's Tuesday morning, Race Day, and we'll start off with a final weather briefing over breakfast, then off to the airport.
Team Ely-Kummer being #55 will be starting next-to-last. There are now 51 airplanes in the race, as some have dropped out.
I think we received a fair handicap, 113.9 knots. The challenges we will face racing the Cheetah will be 1) starting at the back, meaning a later take-off time, meaning less opportunity to skirt any weather problems; and 2) we have the lowest handicap speed of the entire field. Even the Grumman Traveler and all C172 models handicapped faster.
Looks like our weather challenges will be at the first stop at Waycross, as t'storms are forecast by 1 pm local time - if all goes well we'll be out of there before then; and then for Wednesday, Elkhart, Indiana's forecast doesn't look too great.
I want to send a big huge thanks to Mr. J. W. French for the "GOOD LUCK!" phone call last night. J.W. flew around the country in a Bucker Jungmeister two years ago, a tribute flight, the Sam Burgess Memorial Junket. We met him when he came through Liberty, Texas on his trip. I was pleasantly surprised and honored that he thought of me and took the time to call and wish us the best.
You may be able to listen to the start live on www.liveatc.net if the Fort Myers Page Field tower is up. Go to LiveATC.net and navigate to KFMY, which is Page Field, and click on the control tower. We are scheduled to take off at 8 am local time.
We'll turn on the Spot tracker and will check in on this blog as we can.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Exciting News! Air Race Classic to be reported by HAM Radio!
For the first time since 1929 the Air Race Classic will be tracked and reported via Amateur (HAM) Radio. The FCC has issued the operating station a special purpose call sign for the event. They will be operating as W1A during the day-time on 40 meters. At night they will be operating on 80 meters.
In conjunction with the Air Race Classic, W1A will also be participating in the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day. Field Day is designed to give hams an opportunity to refine their emergency communication procedures. More detail on the Field Day can be found here:
www.arrl.org/field-day.
Update from a HAM person in the know:
Frederick Airport June 25 (Air Race Classic Finish Line)
using Special Even Call Sign W1A
40M
7030 CW
7200 LSB
80M
3530 CW
3825 LSB
20M
14030 CW
14250 USB
Other updates may follow.
In conjunction with the Air Race Classic, W1A will also be participating in the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day. Field Day is designed to give hams an opportunity to refine their emergency communication procedures. More detail on the Field Day can be found here:
www.arrl.org/field-day.
Update from a HAM person in the know:
Frederick Airport June 25 (Air Race Classic Finish Line)
using Special Even Call Sign W1A
40M
7030 CW
7200 LSB
80M
3530 CW
3825 LSB
20M
14030 CW
14250 USB
Other updates may follow.
Day 2 en route
What happened to Day One? We had to stop short of our planned destination, putting us in Hattiesburg for the night. FBO owner Bill Robinson and his employee were fabulous, taking great care of the Cheetah and us; tucking the airplane into the hanger just in time for the big tstorm and handing us keys to a car and directions to a hotel.
While I'd like to brag about fighting a mean crosswind on landing at Hattiesburg, it didn't really kick up till we were on the ground, but a few mintes later and...
So we were off at 7 this morning hoping to get beyond Tallahassee, but summer afternoons in Florida are a tstorm playground.
We're shooting for an early departure to make Fort Myers by 11 a.m. Meanwhile, we visited with several National Guard pilots hanging out at TLH waiting on their next assignment over the oil spill, and ended up in the hotel recommended by Million Air, our Tallahassee FBO. This place is swank (check it out - www.hotelduval.com), including "ice" web browser, which is like an ipad, touch screen only. So by now my arm has had plenty of exercise banging on this screen to type this blog entry. I could do this so much faster on a keyboard...
Speaking of modern... I must really be behind the times. I had to trade the BMW Million Air offered for a minivan I could actually figure out how to start and get out of park.
Tomorrow's a new day. Hopefully it will find us in Fort Myers, and hopefully with less poison ivy.
While I'd like to brag about fighting a mean crosswind on landing at Hattiesburg, it didn't really kick up till we were on the ground, but a few mintes later and...
So we were off at 7 this morning hoping to get beyond Tallahassee, but summer afternoons in Florida are a tstorm playground.
We're shooting for an early departure to make Fort Myers by 11 a.m. Meanwhile, we visited with several National Guard pilots hanging out at TLH waiting on their next assignment over the oil spill, and ended up in the hotel recommended by Million Air, our Tallahassee FBO. This place is swank (check it out - www.hotelduval.com), including "ice" web browser, which is like an ipad, touch screen only. So by now my arm has had plenty of exercise banging on this screen to type this blog entry. I could do this so much faster on a keyboard...
Speaking of modern... I must really be behind the times. I had to trade the BMW Million Air offered for a minivan I could actually figure out how to start and get out of park.
Tomorrow's a new day. Hopefully it will find us in Fort Myers, and hopefully with less poison ivy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)