Are you ready to air race?!! Lady taildraggers have been doing it since 1929 when 20 women pilots competed in the 1st Women’s Air Derby, quickly dubbed “The Powder Puff Derby”. From what I’ve read and seen in all the pictures, that very first race was swarming with the media; newspapers, radio reporters and movie cameras were everywhere. Howard Hughes and Will Rogers were there! And I love this part – as Will Rogers stood gazing out at the crowd of ladies preparing for the start of the race he noted, “Their female genes compelled each racer to take one last glance at her compact, along with a dab of powder on her nose” and then he announced, “It looks like a powder puff derby to me!” 
The event has changed and morphed over the years since 1929. 2011 is officially the 35th Anniversary Air Race Classic (ARC) and is scheduled for June 21 – 24. All women pilots who have an FAA medical and a current BFR are eligible to participate. The race begins in Iowa City, Iowa and ends 2,722.01 statute miles later in Mobile, Alabama. Here are all the landing stops;
IOW Iowa City Municipal Airport, Iowa City, IA
BKX Brookings Regional Airport, Brookings, SD
JMS Jamestown Regional Airport, Jamestown, ND
SPF Black Hills-Ice Airport, Spearfish, South Dakota
RWL Rawlins Municipal/Harvey Airport, Rawlins, WY
AIA Alliance Municipal Airport, Alliance, NE
GBD Great Bend Municipal Airport, Great Bend, KS
BGD Hutchinson County Airport, Borger, TX
OUN University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport, Norman,OK
ELD South Arkansas Regional at Goodwin Airport, El Dorado, AR
BFM Mobile Downtown Airport, Mobile, AL
Total Race Distance 2722.01 Statute Miles
2011 Air Route
I did a little checking and found out that although tailwheel aircraft don’t usually compete in big numbers, they do compete. If you’re thinking about entering, here’s what you need to know about which aircraft are eligible to participate.
“Airplanes are limited to STOCK and minimally modified STOCK airplanes, certified in the normal or utility category with normally aspirated engine(s) of not less than 145 horsepower, nor more than 570 horsepower, rated for CONTINUOUS MAXIMUM OPERATION”.
“It is important that your airplane can fly a complete leg without needing to stop for fuel, taking into consideration that racing uses considerably more fuel than ordinary cross-country flights. More than anything, you should be well acquainted with, and comfortable flying, your Race plane. For more information, contact airplane@airraceclassic.org”
Marijke Unger & her 7KCAB
I’m happy to report that at least three ladies from this group have participated in the last couple years. In 2009 Marijke Unger flew her 1976 Citabria 7KCAB and was the only taildragger in the race that year. Check out Marijke’s blog about her race experiences, My First Air Race .
Bobbi Boucher didn’t get to fly her RV4 but did get to compete in a Cessna 172
In 2010 Bobbi Boucher (who is not only a pilot but an A&P, I/A) flew with Terry Nitz in Terry’s Cessna 172. Bobbi wrote, “I was able to fly with Ms Terry Nitz in her cool 172 with all the mussel & hustle you would want with the 210 hp. Yes I put the engine in 5858R! We were 22 out of 51 not bad!!!
Sent by Bobbi, “Aero Boy, Aero Terry & Ms. Bobbi”
No, this RV6 didn’t get to compete but Stephanie Wells did!
Stephanie Wells (pictured with her RV6) competed in 2009 in a different aircraft.
Stephanie Wells competed in 2009, the same year as Marijke Unger, flying with Roxie Juul. Stephanie’s busy building an amphibian right now and says, “I won’t be doing the ARC this summer – it’s a pretty expensive proposition! Maybe in the next few years I’ll get a chance.”
Any other lady taildraggers who have competed or are considering it, please leave a Comment. We’d love to hear more!!
Judy
