US Air Race List 22013-05-19T19:53:01ZN/ADada Mail 2.9.2Potential Comanche Air Bag Seatbelt2013-05-19T19:53:02Z2009-07-22T18:25:51Ztag:www.us-airrace.org,2009-07-22:%2Fcgi-bin%2Fdada%2Fmail.cgi%2Farchive%2FICS%2F20090722182551%2FDear Comanche Owners,
I want to install an AmSafe air bag seatbelt in my Twin. It was recently highlighted as being retro-fitted into the AOPA Cirrus.
AmSafe will be at Oshkosh next week ... if the website is correct ... in Building B, Aisle B midway down US Air Race List 2info@us-airrace.org
I want to install an AmSafe air bag seatbelt in my Twin. It was recently highlighted as being retro-fitted into the AOPA Cirrus.
AmSafe will be at Oshkosh next week ... if the website is correct ... in Building B, Aisle B midway down the aisle in Booth 2122.
I've been in conversation with Steve Marshall, Sales Director and he knows he needs to build a business case before pursuing the STC. He still needs to consult his management before starting this effort. However, if you are interested, it makes sense to go see the product if you are going to Oshkosh. If Steve gets the go ahead from his management, we'll be looking for 20-30 interested parties. I volunteered to coordinate.
More information is at http://www.amsafe.com/products/detail.php?id=68&type=business
I'd be interested in your feedback.
_________________
Pat
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer ICS 08899
PA-39 #10 Texas]]>ICS and CFF OSH photos2013-05-19T19:53:02Z2008-08-03T17:42:40Ztag:www.us-airrace.org,2008-08-03:%2Fcgi-bin%2Fdada%2Fmail.cgi%2Farchive%2FICS%2F20080803174240%2FDear Comanche Owners,
I have several RYV Briefing photos, ramp photos and OSH sunrise over your plane or Comanche parking sign with your plane.
Many people are in the briefing photos. Send me an email and I'll send the 3 RYV briefing photos.
I have the folUS Air Race List 2info@us-airrace.org
I have several RYV Briefing photos, ramp photos and OSH sunrise over your plane or Comanche parking sign with your plane.
Many people are in the briefing photos. Send me an email and I'll send the 3 RYV briefing photos.
I have the following aircraft in photos. Send me an email and I'll send you the photo via email. All are N numbers except as noted.
5433P
7324Y
411AW
8871Y
250LJ
CFC10
478WT
7113P
5433P
88WB
8505P
8286Y
6014P
Fred - don't know your n number
All the planes were gorgeous but we left the extra memory card at home - it is not on our home departure for the airport checklist but will be in the future.
I have posted 3 photos of my plane on the www.comancheflyer.com web site in the general membership discussion area.
Pat Keefer ICS 08899
FAI Gold Medalist]]>Air Racing: Hangar Flying the Twin Comanche2013-05-19T19:53:02Z2008-07-15T21:03:52Ztag:www.us-airrace.org,2008-07-15:%2Fcgi-bin%2Fdada%2Fmail.cgi%2Farchive%2FICS%2F20080715210352%2FAir Racing: Hangar Flying the Twin Comanche
I’ve been honored with an invitation to speak at Oshkosh’s EAA AirVenture extravaganza of aviation in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Comanche production. I will hangar fly the Twin Comanche during “RacingUS Air Race List 2info@us-airrace.org
I’ve been honored with an invitation to speak at Oshkosh’s EAA AirVenture extravaganza of aviation in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Comanche production. I will hangar fly the Twin Comanche during “Racing for Gold: 24 Days around the World”.
Thank you to the many people who have contacted me about the U.S. Air Races. Since we are still wafting for a fundraiser and a race boss for to volunteer for the U.S. Air Race events, this will be as close as I come to racing involvement this year.
Below is the International Comanche Society (ICS) Press Release. Please stop by the tent or Vintage Aircraft Parking (we’ll be camped there) if you are at Oshkosh July 28 or 29.
PRESS RELEASE
World Race Gold Medalist honors 50th Anniversary of Comanches
Among the many Comanches scheduled to participate in the Comanche Mass Arrival at Oshkosh, is a Twin Comanche that is the only U.S. airplane to have raced around the world, twice. Over 65 Comanches, with all varients produced represented, will depart from Watertown, Wisconsin destined for EAA AirVenture 2008, “the world’s greatest aviation celebration”, on Sunday, July 27 at 11 AM. The public is welcome to watch the departure. This Piper Twin Comanche will be flown by owner and FAI (Fedaration Aeronautique Internationale) Gold Medalist Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer. Keefer won the Gold Medal for the longest race in history, 24 days around the world, with her mother, world record holder, Hall of Famer and Aviation Hero for the First Century of Flight, Marion Jayne (1926-1996). Also arriving in the group will be twelve 1958 model year Comanche 180’s and 250’s to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the start of production of the type.
Keefer will honor the exciting Twin Comanche by speaking about her gold medal world race adventures at the International Comanche Society tent located in the main display area at AirVenture at 1 PM on Monday, July 28. Piper Aircraft company first started building Comanches in 1958, and today there are thousands of single and twin engine Comanches flying their owners and passengers to business meetings, family functions and vacations all over the world. Thanks to ICS, intelligent owners, general aviation mechanics, and aviation industry manufacturers, the Comanche fleet is a vibrant and viable aviation platform over 50 years after it was first brought to market. Sturdy and built to last, the Comanche is known, in particular, for its fuel economy, useful load and stable flight characteristics in difficult weather conditions.
More than 65 Comanche owners and operators will be camping with their planes in rows 83-90 in the Vintage Aircraft Camping area at AIrVenture. In addition to Keefer's "Racing for Gold: 24 Days Around the World" presentation, the ICS tent will also host Kristin Winter speaking on Aviation Insurance at 10 am on Tuesday. She will also do a presentation on Comanche Pre-buy tips on Thursday at 10 am. Kristin is a Twin Comanche owner, aviation attorney, CFI, A&P and IA. Dr. William Tarver, NASA Flight Surgeon, will speak on how to physically qualify to be an astronaut, or at least keep your medical, at 1 pm on Tuesday. Matt Kurke, owner of Comanche Gear will be giving two talks on Comanche maintenance, one in the tent on Monday morning at 10am, and weather permitting, we will have a hands on clinic in the Comanche parking area on Wednesday afternoon at 1pm. Presentations will be offered at 10am and 1pm every day, Monday through Friday on various subjects including Comanche spe
cific, as well as general interest subjects. For the most up to date information, stop by the ICS Tent any time during Oshkosh.
Additional Information on all planned activities is available from:
Zach Grant, Mass Arrival Organizer and ICS NC Tribe Chief at 317.201.4293
Dave Fitzgerald, ICS President 330.936.7979
www.ComancheFlyer.com]]>Air Racing Results: Oldest & Youngest are winners2013-05-19T19:53:02Z2007-08-18T06:08:37Ztag:www.us-airrace.org,2007-08-18:%2Fcgi-bin%2Fdada%2Fmail.cgi%2Farchive%2FICS%2F20070818060837%2FAir Racing Results: Oldest & Youngest are winners
Harlon Hain proudly announces his age as 80 ¾ (makes you smile, doesn't it). Between his military service as one of the 90 pilots trained to fly the SR-71 Blackbird, his service at the Strategic Air CommanUS Air Race List 2info@us-airrace.org
Harlon Hain proudly announces his age as 80 ¾ (makes you smile, doesn't it). Between his military service as one of the 90 pilots trained to fly the SR-71 Blackbird, his service at the Strategic Air Command and his survival of colon cancer, he deserves to be proud of his age and now there is another reason. He and Charlie Daubs, co-owner of their 1964 Piper 260 Comanche and also one of the 90 pilots trained to fly the SR-71 Blackbird, won the prestigious Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy for the Best Combined Score of the 2007 National Air Races. In addition to the $25,000 in awards, 13 Learn-to-Fly Scholarships were drawn as teams from California to New York and Texas to Minnesota grew the perfect safety record to 533,488 miles – that’s over 20 times around the world. Photos are at http://www.us-airrace.org/events.html
Race 1, Hain/Daubs’ competition was younger with faster and newer planes but Race 1 used their precise flight and navigational skills in the Wichita 300 and Stevens Point 300 races to bring them two 1st place victories. The 300 mile races are done with all navigation aids and auto-pilot functions covered under Renaissance Rules. The purpose is to fly the way it was done at the birth of aviation with maps and eyeballs. These two National Air Races combined with their second place finish in the 1900-mile Marion Jayne Air Race brought them the Grand Championship Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy.
Hain/Daubs also were the Top Team flying a Piper. If that wasn’t enough activity, immediately following the evening awards, they flew from Wisconsin to Omaha. They were up at 0’dark 30, loaded sweet corn, flew to Wyoming for the Wyoming Stampede and cooked the sweet corn as they continue their decades old tradition. Both men are from Bellevue, Nebraska and are featured in the SAC Museum where Hain’s SR-71 hangs on exhibit.
Race 1’s challenge was formidable in all manner of pilots and planes-equalized-by-handicaps to make the competitions a test of pilot skills. The youngest competitor was Race 5’s Jay Behel (pronounced beel) at 17 and he raced with his Dad, Lee Behel in the Lancair Legacy they built. It flew over 100 mph faster than the Hain/Daubs 260 Comanche and this was an advantage in the 1900-mile Marion Jayne Race as they could fly the cooler smoother air in the mornings. The father/son team from San Jose, CA won the longest of the three National Air Races, the Marion Jayne Air Race where using the winds and weather are key. They placed second by 3/10 of 1% in the overall performance for the Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy
In analyzing the leg by leg results for the Marion Jayne event, Race 1 beat Race 5 on the first leg into Horseshoe Bend, AR but then Race 5 trounced Hain/Daubs on the second leg. Both teams stayed overnight at Jackson, OH, the third stop. At the end of that first day they didn’t yet know that Behels led Hain/Daubs by over 5 kts after 900 miles had been flown. This is a huge margin of over 3%. Scores are computed by subtracting the handicap from the on course ground speed.
Day two dawned with half the teams at the second stop in Nashville, TN and half at the Ohio stop. Teams were limited to 3 legs per day. While Hain/Daubs seemed to be out of the running for 1st place in the Marion Jayne, Race 16 Tony Toscano, NY and Brad Otis, FL were hot on the heels of the Behels in Toscano’s Baron 58. Veteran Race 6 team, Michigan residents, Charles Robinson Jr, Maisie Stears and Mike Westra were crowding Toscano in Stears’ Geronimo with 2004 Grand Champion’s Race 41 Shelby Bowles and Jim Reed, MD in Bowles Skymaster, “Wild Thing” right behind race 6.
Top results were mixed on leg 4 between those who stayed at Nashville and those who stayed at Jackson. While Hain/ Daubs won this leg, the margin wasn’t enough to help them much. Toscano/Otis was second, Bowles/Reed third and Behels fourth. Day two closed with Race 5, 1 and 10 in Ashland, WI the 6th stop and all other teams at St Ignace, MI, the 5th stop. The winning strategy was to fly the legs as 3, 3 and 1. Teams in St Ignace had headwinds to Ashland on Day 3 but all teams had whopping 20-30 kt tailwinds from Ashland to Stevens Point.
Since no results for the Marion Jayne race are announced until the Awards Banquet Race 5 had no idea they were .12 kts ahead of Race 1. It was the final National Air Race, the Stevens Point 300 that was the deciding factor in the Hain/Daubs Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy victory. The on board black box GPSs show the Race 1 flight path could nearly be used for a ruler – their navigation and steady hand on the controls is that good. Add their signature turns and voila, first place trophies.
Other happy race teams included Race 71 and Race 11, Bob and Jeanine Axsom in their RV-6A and Dr. Henry Punzi and Bill Vorderbruggen in Punzi’s Mooney that also won their 100 points for their divisions in the SARL-sanctioned Wichita 300 race in the Aircraft Performance Racing (APR). Two Marion Jayne Encouragement Awards were given to husband and wife, Angus and Chloe Watson in the Schaumburg Flying Club 182 and Race 61 David Gallion and Donald McAlhany in Gallion’s Warrior for their precautionary stops en route to Ohio from Nashville. They didn’t like the weather they saw and took the safe route and landed. Both teams went on to fly the entire route.
Teams improved over the race week. The score spread on the Wichita 300 was 4.15 kts between first and third places. The score spread on the Stevens Point 300 was .94 kts between first and third places. This was very impressive improvement.
Race Management looks very closely at the first leg of the Marion Jayne route because all teams fly as close to the same time as possible. This is where only altitude and flight skills separate the teams and gives Race Management the best opportunity to see if handicaps make sense. A mere 5.4 kts separated the top 9 teams so handicaps were looking fair at this point. Compliments to all teams on the tight scores for the Perpetual Trophy competition as a total of 8.76 kts separate the top 9 teams after they flew over 2,500 miles.
The National Air Races had tremendous support from the Top Gun and Gold Sponsors. “Air Capitol of the World”, Wichita’s Mayor Carl Brewer held a joint press conference prior to the races. He also flagged off the Wichita 300 while it was being covered on live radio. The Wichita Airport Authority and the Mooney Airplane Company made the Wichita start location a stellar experience. The City of Stevens Point sponsored the Stevens Point 300 and provided perfect weather again. Arthur T. Mott Realty as a perennial Top Gun sponsor helps fund the black box GPSs and scholarships. While competition was the focus, the teams expressed their appreciation for the freedom to fly as we do by kicking off race days with our National Anthem led by Maisie Stears. John Dawson joined Maisie at the Awards banquet in “America the Beautiful” and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” As the song says, “Let Freedom Ring!” and thanks to our armed forces and veterans, it does ring loud and strong.
The U.S. Air Race was founded by world renowned race pilot, Pioneer Hall of Fame Inductee, and 100 Aviation Hero for the First Century of Flight, Marion P. Jayne as a charitable, all volunteer company whose goals are to: bring flying closer to the public, improve skills through competition and award Learn-to-Fly scholarships. The National Air Races are run by U.S. Air Race, Inc. More information is at www.us-arirace.org and below.
Harlon Hain can be reached at 402-680-3517 and Charlie Daubs at 402-681-3906.
Lee Behel can be reached at 408-398-7776.
Pat Keefer can be reached at 817-491-4055.
More description of the events follows from Pat Purcell:
They arrived in their aircraft and they provided a showcase of our General Aviation fleet. Past champions were in abundance: Mike Jones and Rick Vandam the 2006 overall winners, Marvin Guthrie the 2005 overall winner, Arthur Mott, John Dawson and Bruce Chapman…Arthur was the 1996 overall winner and has won more events than anyone. He just won the 2007 Jackpot Air Classic the week prior to the National Air Races. Dennis and Jeanette Hackler, back to back 300 mile race winners in 2006 flew the “Magic Carpet”, Piper Arrow in from Texas. The 1998 Shreveport 300 winners Harlon Hain and Charlie Daubs from Nebraska and the 2003 Renaissance 300 winners Charles Robinson, Jr. and Maisie Stears from Michigan with 2004 Grand Champion winners Race 41, Shelby Bowles and Jim Reed from Maryland rounded out the field of winning pilots.
The “Air Capitol of the World” provided the ideal backdrop for the drama of cross country racing! Racers carried the spirit of competition to Wichita where the air itself is steeped in aviation. One day prior to the arrival of the race teams, a press conference was held at Colonel James Jabara Airport. President Pat Keefer made a fine speech on behalf of the U.S. Air Race, Inc. Sponsors, the Wichita Airport Authority and Mooney Airplane Company were on hand. The Greater Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau attended and were excited over the fact that the 2007 National Air Races had brought out every single TV station and 4 radio stations as well as the newspapers to this press conference. Pat Keefer flew the media in her Round the World Race Twin Comanche on a simulated timing run. On landing, the participating news anchorman said that he now was quite sure he wanted to learn to fly and was going to sign up for lessons as soon as possible. Volunteers from the Wichit
a area assisted with registration and ramp activities and hospitality. Stepping forward to lend a hand were some amazing individuals….a former state senator and aviation icon, one of our heroic Tuskegee airmen, airport board members, Museum board members and aviation professionals with amazing credentials - all took part in making the event a success. Headquarters for all of the action was Midwest Corporate Aviation whose staff provided nothing but the best for the event and its participants. Homewood Suites by Hilton on The Waterfront was the venue for serious pre-race briefing.
The weather did not dare to be anything but VFR and the Wichita 300 took to the skies as scheduled with a live remote radio broadcast covering all the action. Mayor Carl Brewer flagged off the aircraft as spectators lined the fence to see all the action. 2007 was a year of firsts for the U.S. Air Race. There were turbo charged entries in the handicap events and the newly offered Sport Air Racing League sanctioned Aircraft Performance Racing classes had two entries. The turbo charged entries provided everyone a first hand look at one of the newest production models, the glistening Mooney Acclaim. Looking to add to his points total for the Sport Air Racing League championships, Bob and Jeannine Axsom flew Bob’s Vans RV6A in his class unchallenged. Dr. Henri Punzi, who, after entering 3 previous races and having to scratch each time, flew his first race. He competed in both the performance and handicap classes in his Mooney M20C. In one hour the first racer crossed the fini
sh line, however, Pilot Skilled Racers fly against their handicap speed so that fastest around the course is not necessarily the winner. A specially built Lancair Legacy competed against a venerable 1959 Piper Geronimo. Three hundred miles, two course turns and navigation by pilotage only dictated that pilot and navigation skills were the keys to winning.
When all the planes had landed and all the black box GPS logger tracks downloaded, the oldest and highest time team had shown they had the right stuff. Harlon Hain and Charlie Daubs of Bellevue, Nebraska flew a Piper Comanche 260 to victory. This team had returned after a 4 year hiatus from racing. Only 1.91 knots behind and flying another precise course, Shelby Bowles and Jim Reed from Maryland in “Wild Thing” the Cessna Skymaster were second. Third place was earned by Michigan’s team “Sweet Potato”, (Piper Geronimo) and Charles Robinson jr., Maisie Stears and Mike Westra. Fourth place went to Stu Morse, Oklahoma and Jim Clarry, New York in the Stu’s, “Tiger Lily” and fifth to Mathew and Pam Giltner, New Jersey in “The Mighty Mooney”. Arthur Mott, Jim Dawson and Bruce Chapman finished in sixth in Mott’s “Cumulus Bound”. Six Learn-to-Fly Scholarships were awarded at Wichita. At the conclusion of the Wichita 300 Air Race awards Mooney’s Vice President of Sales and Mar
keting and veteran air racer Marilyn Copeland’s son, David Copeland, led a long standing ovation for Race Director, Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer, Marion Jayne’s daughter.
On Tuesday, July 17, 2007 the flag dropped and the planes were airborne for the 12th annual Marion Jayne Air Race. The first stop was Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. All the racers refueled and continued on while commenting that Horseshoe Bend was the friendliest place they had ever stopped and marked it for a return visit. Next it was from a tiny airport in the Ozarks to the glamour of the big city and Nashville. Reports came back from the pilots that Nashville was the most professional operation they had ever seen. Day One ended with teams at Nashville, TN and Jackson, Ohio. More about Jackson later but it looks like it was quite a fun place. Day Two and Mother Nature got into the act. Weather along the route from Nashville to Ohio to Michigan was hovering on marginal to IFR conditions with the forecast of improvement as the day wore on. To make the finish line racers had to move to at least Benton Harbor, MI.
Today saw the two lowest time teams make very good decisions. They flew safely and both landed at non designated airports. These teams flew within their skills and showed the good judgment that marks true pilot excellence. With less than 900 hours combined time and VFR only Race 61, David Gallion, Indiana and Don McAlhany, Michigan decided to scratch. To everyone’s delight they flew to Stevens Point, WI via the race route later in the week to attend the final awards banquet. Race 9, Angus and Chloe Watson, IL, landed but continued on when the weather improved. They finished the race. Angus is a private pilot with 243 hours at the start of the race. Chloe, his wife is not a pilot. Again, these individuals displayed great judgment and in the eyes of all, they are true winners. By late afternoon the racers had all landed at St. Ignace, MI and Ashland, WI. Three teams had moved up to the last stop, Race 1, Race 5 and Race 10 and the rest enjoyed scenic Macinac County in
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Day Three and the run for the finish line saw the racers still working for the best conditions to post the highest scores. Teams landed during the morning and early afternoon. First to arrive and do a formation ceremonial fly by…Race 54, “The Mighty Mooney” flown by Mathew and Pam Giltner with wingmen, Harlon Hain and Charlie Daubs in Race 1 the Comanche 260….it was a wonderful sight. Next up to thrill us all were Race 5 and Race 10….Lee and Jay Behel in the Lancair Legacy and Mike Jones and Rick Vandam in the Glasair III. These were the two fastest entries and they did TWO ceremonial formation fly bys. Lee Behel and Rick Vandam flew together for many years in the National Guard and were each other’s wingmen flying RF-4Cs. As the racers landed, the scorers were downloading the loggers and scoring. Results would not be announced until the final awards the following day after the Stevens Point 300 Air Race.
With their spirits still flying high everyone gathered for dinner and the briefing for the next day’s Stevens Point 300 Air Race. More teams arrived to run just the final event. All the racers welcomed the rookie team, Race 88, Kenn Kessler and Brett Carpenter flying a Diamond DA20. They are students at Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN. They had just over 200 hours total time between them. Kenn and Brett represented our future in aviation and came ready to race and performed like true sportsmen and were smiling the entire time. Race 66 had weather in their way but got up early, got briefed before the race and flew as a team of three.
In the spirit of camaraderie and fun, the evening was highlighted by a photo caption contest. While enjoying their time at stop 3, Jackson, Ohio, several of the racers (all male) lined up for a photo. They were doing their best imitation of a chorus line. An enlargement of this epic moment was passed around and captions submitted. By applause, “Legs Over Ohio” was the winner submitted by Shelby Bowles. Race 3, Marvin Guthrie and Kristina Bucklew had their own memorable moment at Jackson. To get to the hotel they relied on local volunteers for transportation. Who came to ‘escort’ Race 3 to their hotel but the local sheriff in his squad car. Kristina was photographed seated in the cage…HMMMM…along with Marvin.
July 20, 2007 - the final day. It is VFR, the pilots are eager to race, the Stevens Point 300 is under way on schedule. Only the scorers know that the overall championship is up for grabs. Airport Manager, Mike Pinney waves the checkered flag and one by one the racers depart with Channel 7 TV filming the flights. All teams complete the course. Race 9 is still flying and competing. They know they are last on the Marion Jayne Air Race due to their precautionary landing but they have the spirit of true competitors and are racing on to complete the entire event. They were truly bolstered when they landed at stop 4, Benton Harbor, MI and were greeted on the ramp by a bagpiper. Yes, the Watson’s are Scottish, brogue and all and airport manager Lee Schweritz has a friend who is a bagpiper …thus he arranged this most unique welcome for the Watsons.
All the scores have been tallied. The awards are on display and the racers gather for the final banquet. The evening kicks off with the drawing for the Learn to Fly Scholarships. Seven more scholarships were awarded. The racing is history and all that is left is the telling. First the winners of the Stevens Point 300 are announced. It is Race 1 who just repeated the back to back feat of winning both 300 mile races. This accomplishment was first recorded in 2006 by Dennis and Jeannette Hackler. Harlon Hain and Charlie Daubs are again the short course specialists! And, again, Shelby Bowles and Jim Reed in second and third is Charles Robinson Jr., Maisie Stears and Mike Westra. Fourth in his Baron “Cumulus Bound” is Arthur Mott, John Dawson and Bruce Chapman from North Carolina. Fifth in a rented Cessna 182, Angus and Chloe Watson (talk about a comeback!). Sixth was Glasair III builder, Mike Jones, California and Rick Vandam, Nevada.
Next the Marion Jayne Encouragement Award was given and two awards were presented for the first time. Having flown in just for the awards banquet, Race 61 who had scratched along the route and Race 9 who had kept on going despite landing for weather with their time running both received recognition and loud applause from their peers.
It was time for the winners of the 1900 Mile Marion Jayne Air Race to be announced. Race 1 had won two events but how did they do on the long race? Eight different teams had shared the top four spots on the legs. Racers had employed many different strategies. The winning team is, drum roll, from California, father and son, Lee and Jay Behel in the Lancair Legacy. Two knots behind, in second place is Race 1, Harlon Hain and Charlie Daubs from Nebraska in the Comanche 260. Third Race 16, flying only the Marion Jayne Air Race, Tony Toscano, New York and Brad Otis, Florida in Tony’s Beech Baron. Tony is a veteran racer but a busy businessman and father who had not flown with the U.S. Air Race for several years. Fourth, that pretty blue twin….Race 6 with that trio from Michigan, Charles Robinson Jr., Maisie Stears and Mike Westra. Fifth, Race 41, Shelby Bowles and Jim Reed. Sixth was Race 54, Mathew and Pam Giltner.
Now, who has won the overall? The ’boys from Bellevue’ Harlon Hain and Charlie Daubs have the highest score from all three events…..the oldest team, the highest time team, the highest flying team (they are retired SR-71 pilots)….everyone applauds them. First time U.S. Air Race competitors, Lee Behel and son Jay (non-pilot) are second with Race 6 third, Race 41 fourth, Race 29 fifth and Race 54 sixth overall. The cash purse amounted to over $25,000. The highest scoring Piper team trophies went to Race 1. These are highly sought after awards and Piper aircraft always steps forward to recognize and reward their aircraft owners. Many valuable prizes were awarded due to the generous support of Jeppesen, Oregon Aero and AOPA.
Watch the web site for possible 2008 races at www.us-airrace.org]]>Air Racing: Entries close July 6, Mooney entries, Young Eagles, Learn-to-Fly Scholarships, Sponsors2013-05-19T19:53:02Z2007-07-01T22:47:13Ztag:www.us-airrace.org,2007-07-01:%2Fcgi-bin%2Fdada%2Fmail.cgi%2Farchive%2FICS%2F20070701224713%2FAir Racing: Entries close July 6, Mooney entries, Young Eagles, Learn-to-Fly Scholarships, Sponsors
There is still time to enter and enjoy hangar flying from the 2007 National Air Races for years to come. The trophies have been ordered and one of them woulUS Air Race List 2info@us-airrace.org
There is still time to enter and enjoy hangar flying from the 2007 National Air Races for years to come. The trophies have been ordered and one of them would look great in your house so join the fun for 1, 2 or all 3 events. Just click here http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html to link to the free entry kit.
For the first time, Mooney Airplane Company is a Gold Sponsor of the National Air Races. They are also sponsoring two entries. Race 15 is Dave Copeland and Dr Remy Henry Blanchaert, Jr, flying Remy’s Mooney Acclaim. The Acclaim team will have competition for the top spot in the turbo division of the Wichita 300 Air Race. Race 8 Rick Neely and his best friend Justin Milam will fly a Mooney Ovation in the Marion Jayne Air Race.
It has been confirmed that we’ll be flying young Eagles at both the Wichita 300 and the Stevens Point 300. If you are an EAA member and would like to help, please reply to this message and I’ll get you connected to the right folks. After Race 1 completes the course, retired SR-71 pilot, Col. Harlon Hain has volunteered to fly more young Eagles. Some youngsters will be very fortunate indeed to have him as their pilot.
Thanks to generous sponsors we’ll be raffling off at least 8 Learn-to-Fly Scholarships, four in Wichita and four at Stevens Point. Check out one of last year’s winners on the 2006 Awards page. I’m excited to announce that the beautiful Official Air Race program has been posted in its entirety on the web site at http://www.us-airrace.org/events.html and a visit will let you see the race teams, en route airports and sponsors. We are fortunate to have Oregon Aero, The Hiller group and the New Piper Aircraft Company as returning sponsors in addition to those we’ve listed previously.
On a personal note – it is rarely a good thing when your hometown area is featured on The Weather Channel and this week was no exception. After over two years of extreme drought, we have rain, rain and more rain in the DFW area. It has been a surprise to have ‘lakefront’ and ‘riverfront’ property. Anyone who flies in Texas will find uncharted ‘new’ water features. As a Tex-ified Yankee, I can vouch for the fact that everything is ‘bigger’ in Texas and that includes rainfall.
Reprise of May, 2007 news
Air Racing: One week to go, Live Broadcast, More race teams, new Flyers, AirVenture Cup
Speed is a virtue except when eating ice cream. Just a week from now the final touches will be put on the Official Race Program and it will be sent off for printing. So, hurry up, if you want to be included in the bound copy of the beautiful 52-page glossy program as a race team, your entry needs to be in Texas by June 1. Nearly everything can be done over the internet or via fax so it is easy to do a quick entry. Just click here http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html Come join the fabulous flying!
Yippee! It has been confirmed that the Wichita 300 Air Race will be broadcast live on the local sports radio station. This is yet another way to bring out the spectators and engage more people in General Aviation. We are in the process of arranging for Young Eagles flights while the teams are out on the race course – not that it takes the returning 2006 Champions, Race 10 Mike Jones and Rick Vandam, very long to fly 300 miles in Mike’s Glasair III :-). Usually flying something this wickedly fast with pilotage-only Renaissance Rules is a major disadvantage, however the not-so-secret weapon is Rick. Rick’s past military reconnaissance missions were done at much higher speeds and with much more at stake. Of course this tough-to-beat team was bested in both 2006 300 mile races by Piper Cherokee Arrow pilots Dennis and Jeanette Hackler as Race 7. Dennis and Jeanette are the first team in 12 years to win a second 300-mile race and this is added to their 2003 Flying Magazine Texas 2
00 victory that was celebrated in front of 190,000 people at the Texas Motor Speedway.
Two cool new racers are coming to join the fun. The double D team, David and Donald from Indiana are flying a PA-28-151 with 160 hp and are Race 61. If they follow in the footsteps of the 2006 Race 2 Cherokee 140 team, they’ll be bringing home some extra gas money and great bragging rights.
We have created colorful new Flyers for posting at FBOs. These new Flyers include the APR Aircraft Performance Racing options. So if you can’t race, please help promote the events by printing and posting Flyers on our behalf. Just click here and be linked directly to the web site section that includes the Flyers. http://www.us-airrace.org/events.html
For those teams that enjoy flying into Oshkosh with the AirVenture Cup, we have scheduled our events so that you can participate in all three National Air Races, receive your trophies in Wisconsin and still have an entire day to fly to Dayton and join the AirVenture Cup festivities. It means you can fly four different races in only 7 days. What incredible fun is to be had!! Enter now and bring a friend or two, you will be so glad you did.
Reprise of Apr, 2007 news
Air Racing: Early entry discounts, STE sponsor, first APR entry, more PSR entries, Volunteer openings
In a mere 5 days the early entry discounts will expire*. In only 78 days the first of the three National Air Races, the Wichita 300 will depart the Jabara airport. The next three days will see the prestigious Marion Jayne Air Race flown east to the Ozarks, then to Nashville, northeast to the edge of the Appalachians, northwest to the shores of Lake Michigan, north to the Upper Peninsula, west to the shores of Lake Superior and then south to Stevens Point, Wisconsin. At about 600 miles a day, the Marion Jayne is steeped in great scenery and tailor-made for fabulous hangar flying each evening. The next day the City of Stevens Point is sponsoring the Stevens Point 300 Air Race. Two days later Oshkosh (just a few miles east) gets into full swing with the GTO convention in between. Does it get any better than this?
This is air racing for everyone with a 2007 theme of “Compete to Fly the Perfect Cross Country”. YOU have a place in these competitions, whether you want to test your pilot skills in the “Pilot Skill Racing” (PSR) where aircraft are equalized with individual handicaps or whether you want to test the airplane in the “Aircraft Performance Racing” (APR) or test both.
*The free Entry Kit at www.us-airrace.org has all discounts published correctly for PSR race teams and the early entry discount is valid as long as entries are postmarked by April 30. In recognition that APR racers may just be learning they can compete, the January discounts are available if entries are postmarked by April 30. Remember that discounts for teams with less than 1000 hours, instructors bringing student pilots and teams bringing new competitors do not expire.
The City of Stevens Point continues to invest in its airport and places value on General Aviation patronage. Here is a charming city on the shores of the Wisconsin River with the pizzazz of summertime riverfront concerts. We’re fortunate to have the city sponsor our events for a second year. Perennial sponsor and competitor Maisie Stears has also made a donation for the U.S. Air Race to achieve its goals of promoting a positive reputation for General Aviation, improving pilots’ skills through competition and awarding Learn to Fly scholarships by drawing.
Aircraft Performance Racing APR is new to the National Air Races but the first entry has raced with us before. Bob and Jeanine Axsom built their own RV and will be racing in the APR competition as Race 71. They will accrue SARL (Sport Air Racing League) points as the National Air Races are SARL-sanctioned.
We are delighted to see many past race winners return for more challenges. Charles Robinson III and Maisie Stears as Race 6 are back with Maisie’s Geronimo. They are the first team to have supplied all credentials and have been awarded 5 chances each at the Learn-To-Fly Scholarship drawing. While they already know how to fly very well, they can gift the scholarships to someone who wants to learn. 2006 Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy winners, Mike Jones and Rick Vandam will be cruising east in Mike’s Glasair to compete again as Race 10. Race 41 Shelby Bowles and Jim Reed will be charging hard in Shelby’s Cessna Skymaster as they work to repeat their 2004 Perpetual Trophy victory.
As for me, some of the jobs that I do are open for new volunteers. The volunteer positions of Chief Fundraiser and Race Director have brought over a decade of joy as I’ve met hundreds of aviation enthusiasts that are now friends and educated huge numbers of reporters on the benefits of flying ‘small’ airplanes. I’m sure I’ll miss the fun of flying the continent as I organized these events however, when the choice is between spending time with the newly retired husband or doing something else – the time with husband wins. If you would like to volunteer for either of these positions, please send me an email at pjkeefer@gmail.com … oh and it’s important to know that you would be covered by Directors and Officers insurance via the U.S. Air Race, Inc.
Reprise of Mar, 2007 news
Air Racing: First Entries, EI sponsor, PSR, APR and SARL
The Wichita Airport Authority of Wichita, Kansas – the Aviation Capital of the World – is organizing fabulous fun for all of the 2007 race teams. We have lots of great news to report. Here’s the scoop on the first entries, Pilot Skilled Racing (PSR), Aircraft Performance Racing (APR) and the Sport Air Racing League (SARL).
We already have three teams that have entered all three National Air Races. The teams are each unique in their composition. Race 1 is returning Shreveport 300 winners, Harlon Hain and Charlie Daubs in their 260 Comanche – as 2 of the 90 original SR-71 pilots – they have thousands of hours flying fast and precisely. The second team to enter is Race 9, Angus and Chloe Watson in the Schaumburg Flying Club 182S – they did well in their first 300 race in 2006 and are back for more. Angus is the business executive pilot with 210 hours. Chloe is the home executive and is just as excited as Angus to try their hand at all three races this year and they are eligible for the Best team with under 1000 hours award. . Race 11 is the ying and yang team – Mooney Ranger owner Dr Henry Punzi has about 600 hours and co-pilot Bill Vorderbruggen has over 20,000 hours – this is the third time Punzi has entered … stymied in 2005 with starter trouble and then held back with bad weather in 2006, I’m
betting he will race in 2007. More entries are on the way with Renaissance 300 winners Maisie Stears and Charles Robinson III in Maisie’s Geronimo partially entered and a new team from my old hometown, Palatine, Illinois has also said they are coming. Join the fun!
The free entry kit is at http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html
Mac Speed and Electronics International is once again a Silver Sponsor – check out their good stuff at www.buy-ei.com
Some folks have already noticed the broadening of the racing we offer. Pilot Skilled Racing (PSR) is the handicapped speed events we have held for years. We have added Aircraft Performance Racing (APR) for those folks who just want to see how fast they can fly their planes. RV builder Bob Axsom is considering this category. It is a different type of competition that still requires smooth pilot techniques but also rewards those who can tweak engines and airframes to the best advantage. APR teams will race the same course with full panels but without handicaps and will compete for awards that are commensurate with participation. We are actively working with the Sport Air Racing League (SARL) and have agreement in principle today – when the final details are firm, we’ll formally announce how teams can participate and earn SARL points. More details are below.
Reprise of Jan, 2007 news
Air Racing: Fresh Start and Flying the Perfect Cross Country
Happy New Year and welcome to the Fresh Start part of 2007. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to have a Fresh Start to flying – to have more fun flying … not to fly to just keep current or to get maintenance done but to truly go someplace different and fun. The routes for the National Air Races by U.S. Air Race, Inc. fit that resolution and I’m putting them on my calendar now. This is your personal invitation to join the fabulous flying July 15-20, 2007.
Our theme this year is “Air Racing: Compete to Fly the Perfect Cross Country” and the free entry kit is now available at http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html just in time for you to make your own Fresh Start. You did make a resolution to fly more, didn’t you?
There are a number of incentive discounts on the entry fees. To encourage instructors, student pilots and teams with less than 1000 hours, there are entry discounts. Those teams that enter early get the same amount of fun at a lower cost. Those that have raced with us in the past and bring in a new team to join the fun also receive discounts.
We have dovetailed our schedule to join the Jones Publishing GTO™ (Gateway to Oshkosh) Convention. We are fortunate to have both Jones Publishing and Arthur T. Mott Realty returning as Top Gun sponsors. The City of Wichita Airport Authority is also a 2007 Top Gun sponsor. The Wichita 300 will be flown Monday July 15. The premiere 1900-mile Marion Jayne Air Race will travel east across the Ozarks, over the scenic Ohio river valley, north along the east shores of Lake Michigan, into the Upper Peninsula and then south to Wisconsin. The third National Air Race will be the Wisconsin 300 on Friday July 20. The free entry kit is at www.us-airrace.org and has more details. We hope that you'll join with us too and enjoy the fabulous camaraderie that develops with shared flying adventures.
You can fly one, two or all three of our events. Participants will receive an estimated $25,000 in custom trophies, cash, completion plaques, prizes and the all-important bragging rights. Teams may compete in cruise or speed divisions in the 1900-mile Marion Jayne Air Race. Custom divisions with or without handicaps (such as, all RVs, Glasairs, Lancairs, all 172s or turbos) are possible for five or more teams. The events are open to all qualified pilots and planes. Flying will be done under Federal Aviation Regulations in daylight, VFR conditions of 1000’ and 3 miles or better. In PSR – Pilot Skilled Racing, planes are individually handicapped which makes the events a test of flying skills. In APR – Aircraft Performance Racing Division of the Marion Jayne Air Race, there are no handicaps. The Cruise Division is flown at cruise speeds and the team who most closely estimates their flight time, wins. Our goals are to promote the sport of General Aviation and the events’ proceeds
will benefit aviation endeavors. As always, participants have the opportunity to dedicate an aviation scholarship. Scholarships will be distributed evenly among men and women and awarded by drawings in Wichita and Wisconsin.
Reprise of Nov, 2006 news
Air Racing: Marion Jayne Thanksgiving and 2007 National Air Races
Each of us has several families. We have the family that we were born into and the families we acquire throughout life. Folks receiving this email are part of the aviation family and perhaps the air race family. Yesterday as I watched the Mayor of New York talk about the absolute joy of flying during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, it reminded me of how Mom, Marion Jayne, spent her Thanksgivings. My first memory of Thanksgiving was traveling. We were dressed in our good clothes as the family traveled to Grandma’s house where Mom’s sister, her family and other relatives gathered. A few years later the gatherings moved alternately to our house or Mom’s sister house which was just around the corner.
The third iteration involved traveling again. As we children married, Thanksgiving revolved around job schedules and in-laws. It was harder to gather as a family but Mom had a solution for that. At times we had Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday in two different cities. Mom always set the table the night before, labeled the serving pieces with the planned contents and set her alarm clock. She’d get up early, put the turkey in the oven and off she went to the airport. She’d fly to wherever one of her children and their spouse were, pick them up and fly home. The family gathered and gave thanks for all manner of blessings – including the flying travel that enabled us to gather as a family.
As I savor yesterday’s memories and leftovers, I look forward to making more great traveling memories in 2007. Before we leave 2006 let me once again say thank you to all of those who made the 2006 National Air Races possible: the Race Boards, the many volunteers, the wonderful sponsors at http://www.us-airrace.org/sponsors.html and especially our Top Gun sponsors of Arthur T. Mott Realty, City of Hutchinson Kansas Airport Authority and Jones Publishing.
Shortly the web site will be updated for the 2007 National Air Races by U.S. Air Race, Inc. where all pilots and their friends can enjoy “Air Racing: Compete to fly the Perfect Cross Country”. Save July 15-20, 2007 for fabulous flying. The entry kit will be available January 1. We will dovetail our schedule to join the Jones Publishing GTO™ (Gateway to Oshkosh) Convention. We are fortunate to have both Jones Publishing and Arthur T. Mott Realty returning as Top Gun sponsors. The City of Wichita Airport Authority is also a 2007 Top Gun sponsor. The Wichita 300 will be flown Monday July 15. The premiere 1800-mile Marion Jayne Air Race will travel east across the Ozarks, over the scenic Ohio river valley, north along the east shores of Lake Michigan, into the Upper Peninsula and then south to Wisconsin. The third National Air Race will be the Wisconsin 300 on Friday July 20.
I hope that your Thanksgiving holidays were and are filled with marvelous memories and pleasant plans for the future that include flying the perfect cross country in one or more of the National Air Races.
The bookend renaissance-style 300-mile races are where pilotage and precise flying reign supreme as teams compete with only a compass and sectional charts for navigational aids across a mystery route. The Marion Jayne Air Race is where the full panel is used with weather and aircraft knowledge being added to the competitive equation. After 3 days and 1800 miles of cross country flying, teams will be honored awards. The results of the three national races will be combined to determine the winner of the stunning Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy.
The U.S. Air Race, Inc. was founded by famed race pilot Marion Jayne. Jayne is the only U.S. pilot to have raced twice around the world. She placed second in the 1992 race and won the FAI Gold Medal in 1994. Marion has been honored as one of the century's 100 Aviation Heroes along with the Wrights, John Glenn, Eileen Collins and others at the 2003 Centennial Celebration. Her personal success, her two races around the world, her life before flying were cited as well as her entrepreneurial spirit in founding 4 air races - three of which are still run annually. The National Air Races honor her memory and contributions.
Our ‘Safe, Fair and Fun’ catch phrase was coined at the 1995 inaugural event and characterizes how we work together as organizers and participants to have successful flights. Our teams have flown over 507,607 miles with a perfect safety record. For first-time participants a special briefing is held and new teams are given an experienced event buddy to make sure their rookie experience goes smoothly. Come join us for the fun flying, the camaraderie, the cruising and/or the competition. You’ll have hangar flying stories for years to come!
Wishing you Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Pat
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer
President, U.S. Air Race, Inc.
National Air Races and Air Cruise
www.us-airrace.org]]>Air Racing: One week to go, Live Broadcast, More race teams, new Flyers, AirVenture Cup2013-05-19T19:53:02Z2007-05-24T18:48:21Ztag:www.us-airrace.org,2007-05-24:%2Fcgi-bin%2Fdada%2Fmail.cgi%2Farchive%2FICS%2F20070524184821%2FAir Racing: One week to go, Live Broadcast, More race teams, new Flyers, AirVenture Cup
Speed is a virtue except when eating ice cream. Just a week from now the final touches will be put on the Official Race Program and it will be sent off for printing. SUS Air Race List 2info@us-airrace.org
Speed is a virtue except when eating ice cream. Just a week from now the final touches will be put on the Official Race Program and it will be sent off for printing. So, hurry up, if you want to be included in the bound copy of the beautiful 52-page glossy program as a race team, your entry needs to be in Texas by June 1. Nearly everything can be done over the internet or via fax so it is easy to do a quick entry. Just click here http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html Come join the fabulous flying!
Yippee! It has been confirmed that the Wichita 300 Air Race will be broadcast live on the local sports radio station. This is yet another way to bring out the spectators and engage more people in General Aviation. We are in the process of arranging for Young Eagles flights while the teams are out on the race course – not that it takes the returning 2006 Champions, Race 10 Mike Jones and Rick Vandam, very long to fly 300 miles in Mike’s Glasair III :-). Usually flying something this wickedly fast with pilotage-only Renaissance Rules is a major disadvantage, however the not-so-secret weapon is Rick. Rick’s past military reconnaissance missions were done at much higher speeds and with much more at stake. Of course this tough-to-beat team was bested in both 2006 300 mile races by Piper Cherokee Arrow pilots Dennis and Jeanette Hackler as Race 7. Dennis and Jeanette are the first team in 12 years to win a second 300-mile race and this is added to their 2003 Flying Magazine Texas 2
00 victory that was celebrated in front of 190,000 people at the Texas Motor Speedway.
Two cool new racers are coming to join the fun. The double D team, David and Donald from Indiana are flying a PA-28-151 with 160 hp and are Race 61. If they follow in the footsteps of the 2006 Race 2 Cherokee 140 team, they’ll be bringing home some extra gas money and great bragging rights.
We have created colorful new Flyers for posting at FBOs. These new Flyers include the APR Aircraft Performance Racing options. So if you can’t race, please help promote the events by printing and posting Flyers on our behalf. Just click here and be linked directly to the web site section that includes the Flyers. http://www.us-airrace.org/events.html
For those teams that enjoy flying into Oshkosh with the AirVenture Cup, we have scheduled our events so that you can participate in all three National Air Races, receive your trophies in Wisconsin and still have an entire day to fly to Dayton and join the AirVenture Cup festivities. It means you can fly four different races in only 7 days. What incredible fun is to be had!! Enter now and bring a friend or two, you will be so glad you did.
Reprise of Apr, 2007 news
Air Racing: Early entry discounts, STE sponsor, first APR entry, more PSR entries, Volunteer openings
In a mere 5 days the early entry discounts will expire*. In only 78 days the first of the three National Air Races, the Wichita 300 will depart the Jabara airport. The next three days will see the prestigious Marion Jayne Air Race flown east to the Ozarks, then to Nashville, northeast to the edge of the Appalachians, northwest to the shores of Lake Michigan, north to the Upper Peninsula, west to the shores of Lake Superior and then south to Stevens Point, Wisconsin. At about 600 miles a day, the Marion Jayne is steeped in great scenery and tailor-made for fabulous hangar flying each evening. The next day the City of Stevens Point is sponsoring the Stevens Point 300 Air Race. Two days later Oshkosh (just a few miles east) gets into full swing with the GTO convention in between. Does it get any better than this?
This is air racing for everyone with a 2007 theme of “Compete to Fly the Perfect Cross Country”. YOU have a place in these competitions, whether you want to test your pilot skills in the “Pilot Skill Racing” (PSR) where aircraft are equalized with individual handicaps or whether you want to test the airplane in the “Aircraft Performance Racing” (APR) or test both.
*The free Entry Kit at www.us-airrace.org has all discounts published correctly for PSR race teams and the early entry discount is valid as long as entries are postmarked by April 30. In recognition that APR racers may just be learning they can compete, the January discounts are available if entries are postmarked by April 30. Remember that discounts for teams with less than 1000 hours, instructors bringing student pilots and teams bringing new competitors do not expire.
The City of Stevens Point continues to invest in its airport and places value on General Aviation patronage. Here is a charming city on the shores of the Wisconsin River with the pizzazz of summertime riverfront concerts. We’re fortunate to have the city sponsor our events for a second year. Perennial sponsor and competitor Maisie Stears has also made a donation for the U.S. Air Race to achieve its goals of promoting a positive reputation for General Aviation, improving pilots’ skills through competition and awarding Learn to Fly scholarships by drawing.
Aircraft Performance Racing APR is new to the National Air Races but the first entry has raced with us before. Bob and Jeanine Axsom built their own RV and will be racing in the APR competition as Race 71. They will accrue SARL (Sport Air Racing League) points as the National Air Races are SARL-sanctioned.
We are delighted to see many past race winners return for more challenges. Charles Robinson III and Maisie Stears as Race 6 are back with Maisie’s Geronimo. They are the first team to have supplied all credentials and have been awarded 5 chances each at the Learn-To-Fly Scholarship drawing. While they already know how to fly very well, they can gift the scholarships to someone who wants to learn. 2006 Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy winners, Mike Jones and Rick Vandam will be cruising east in Mike’s Glasair to compete again as Race 10. Race 41 Shelby Bowles and Jim Reed will be charging hard in Shelby’s Cessna Skymaster as they work to repeat their 2004 Perpetual Trophy victory.
As for me, some of the jobs that I do are open for new volunteers. The volunteer positions of Chief Fundraiser and Race Director have brought over a decade of joy as I’ve met hundreds of aviation enthusiasts that are now friends and educated huge numbers of reporters on the benefits of flying ‘small’ airplanes. I’m sure I’ll miss the fun of flying the continent as I organized these events however, when the choice is between spending time with the newly retired husband or doing something else – the time with husband wins. If you would like to volunteer for either of these positions, please send me an email at pjkeefer@gmail.com … oh and it’s important to know that you would be covered by Directors and Officers insurance via the U.S. Air Race, Inc.
Reprise of Mar, 2007 news
Air Racing: First Entries, EI sponsor, PSR, APR and SARL
The Wichita Airport Authority of Wichita, Kansas – the Aviation Capital of the World – is organizing fabulous fun for all of the 2007 race teams. We have lots of great news to report. Here’s the scoop on the first entries, Pilot Skilled Racing (PSR), Aircraft Performance Racing (APR) and the Sport Air Racing League (SARL).
We already have three teams that have entered all three National Air Races. The teams are each unique in their composition. Race 1 is returning Shreveport 300 winners, Harlon Hain and Charlie Daubs in their 260 Comanche – as 2 of the 90 original SR-71 pilots – they have thousands of hours flying fast and precisely. The second team to enter is Race 9, Angus and Chloe Watson in the Schaumburg Flying Club 182S – they did well in their first 300 race in 2006 and are back for more. Angus is the business executive pilot with 210 hours. Chloe is the home executive and is just as excited as Angus to try their hand at all three races this year and they are eligible for the Best team with under 1000 hours award. . Race 11 is the ying and yang team – Mooney Ranger owner Dr Henry Punzi has about 600 hours and co-pilot Bill Vorderbruggen has over 20,000 hours – this is the third time Punzi has entered … stymied in 2005 with starter trouble and then held back with bad weather in 2006, I’m
betting he will race in 2007. More entries are on the way with Renaissance 300 winners Maisie Stears and Charles Robinson III in Maisie’s Geronimo partially entered and a new team from my old hometown, Palatine, Illinois has also said they are coming. Join the fun!
The free entry kit is at http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html
Mac Speed and Electronics International is once again a Silver Sponsor – check out their good stuff at www.buy-ei.com
Some folks have already noticed the broadening of the racing we offer. Pilot Skilled Racing (PSR) is the handicapped speed events we have held for years. We have added Aircraft Performance Racing (APR) for those folks who just want to see how fast they can fly their planes. RV builder Bob Axsom is considering this category. It is a different type of competition that still requires smooth pilot techniques but also rewards those who can tweak engines and airframes to the best advantage. APR teams will race the same course with full panels but without handicaps and will compete for awards that are commensurate with participation. We are actively working with the Sport Air Racing League (SARL) and have agreement in principle today – when the final details are firm, we’ll formally announce how teams can participate and earn SARL points. More details are below.
Reprise of Jan, 2007 news
Air Racing: Fresh Start and Flying the Perfect Cross Country
Happy New Year and welcome to the Fresh Start part of 2007. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to have a Fresh Start to flying – to have more fun flying … not to fly to just keep current or to get maintenance done but to truly go someplace different and fun. The routes for the National Air Races by U.S. Air Race, Inc. fit that resolution and I’m putting them on my calendar now. This is your personal invitation to join the fabulous flying July 15-20, 2007.
Our theme this year is “Air Racing: Compete to Fly the Perfect Cross Country” and the free entry kit is now available at http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html just in time for you to make your own Fresh Start. You did make a resolution to fly more, didn’t you?
There are a number of incentive discounts on the entry fees. To encourage instructors, student pilots and teams with less than 1000 hours, there are entry discounts. Those teams that enter early get the same amount of fun at a lower cost. Those that have raced with us in the past and bring in a new team to join the fun also receive discounts.
We have dovetailed our schedule to join the Jones Publishing GTO™ (Gateway to Oshkosh) Convention. We are fortunate to have both Jones Publishing and Arthur T. Mott Realty returning as Top Gun sponsors. The City of Wichita Airport Authority is also a 2007 Top Gun sponsor. The Wichita 300 will be flown Monday July 15. The premiere 1900-mile Marion Jayne Air Race will travel east across the Ozarks, over the scenic Ohio river valley, north along the east shores of Lake Michigan, into the Upper Peninsula and then south to Wisconsin. The third National Air Race will be the Wisconsin 300 on Friday July 20. The free entry kit is at www.us-airrace.org and has more details. We hope that you'll join with us too and enjoy the fabulous camaraderie that develops with shared flying adventures.
You can fly one, two or all three of our events. Participants will receive an estimated $25,000 in custom trophies, cash, completion plaques, prizes and the all-important bragging rights. Teams may compete in cruise or speed divisions in the 1900-mile Marion Jayne Air Race. Custom divisions with or without handicaps (such as, all RVs, Glasairs, Lancairs, all 172s or turbos) are possible for five or more teams. The events are open to all qualified pilots and planes. Flying will be done under Federal Aviation Regulations in daylight, VFR conditions of 1000’ and 3 miles or better. In PSR – Pilot Skilled Racing, planes are individually handicapped which makes the events a test of flying skills. In APR – Aircraft Performance Racing Division of the Marion Jayne Air Race, there are no handicaps. The Cruise Division is flown at cruise speeds and the team who most closely estimates their flight time, wins. Our goals are to promote the sport of General Aviation and the events’ proceeds
will benefit aviation endeavors. As always, participants have the opportunity to dedicate an aviation scholarship. Scholarships will be distributed evenly among men and women and awarded by drawings in Wichita and Wisconsin.
Reprise of Nov, 2006 news
Air Racing: Marion Jayne Thanksgiving and 2007 National Air Races
Each of us has several families. We have the family that we were born into and the families we acquire throughout life. Folks receiving this email are part of the aviation family and perhaps the air race family. Yesterday as I watched the Mayor of New York talk about the absolute joy of flying during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, it reminded me of how Mom, Marion Jayne, spent her Thanksgivings. My first memory of Thanksgiving was traveling. We were dressed in our good clothes as the family traveled to Grandma’s house where Mom’s sister, her family and other relatives gathered. A few years later the gatherings moved alternately to our house or Mom’s sister house which was just around the corner.
The third iteration involved traveling again. As we children married, Thanksgiving revolved around job schedules and in-laws. It was harder to gather as a family but Mom had a solution for that. At times we had Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday in two different cities. Mom always set the table the night before, labeled the serving pieces with the planned contents and set her alarm clock. She’d get up early, put the turkey in the oven and off she went to the airport. She’d fly to wherever one of her children and their spouse were, pick them up and fly home. The family gathered and gave thanks for all manner of blessings – including the flying travel that enabled us to gather as a family.
As I savor yesterday’s memories and leftovers, I look forward to making more great traveling memories in 2007. Before we leave 2006 let me once again say thank you to all of those who made the 2006 National Air Races possible: the Race Boards, the many volunteers, the wonderful sponsors at http://www.us-airrace.org/sponsors.html and especially our Top Gun sponsors of Arthur T. Mott Realty, City of Hutchinson Kansas Airport Authority and Jones Publishing.
Shortly the web site will be updated for the 2007 National Air Races by U.S. Air Race, Inc. where all pilots and their friends can enjoy “Air Racing: Compete to fly the Perfect Cross Country”. Save July 15-20, 2007 for fabulous flying. The entry kit will be available January 1. We will dovetail our schedule to join the Jones Publishing GTO™ (Gateway to Oshkosh) Convention. We are fortunate to have both Jones Publishing and Arthur T. Mott Realty returning as Top Gun sponsors. The City of Wichita Airport Authority is also a 2007 Top Gun sponsor. The Wichita 300 will be flown Monday July 15. The premiere 1800-mile Marion Jayne Air Race will travel east across the Ozarks, over the scenic Ohio river valley, north along the east shores of Lake Michigan, into the Upper Peninsula and then south to Wisconsin. The third National Air Race will be the Wisconsin 300 on Friday July 20.
I hope that your Thanksgiving holidays were and are filled with marvelous memories and pleasant plans for the future that include flying the perfect cross country in one or more of the National Air Races.
The bookend renaissance-style 300-mile races are where pilotage and precise flying reign supreme as teams compete with only a compass and sectional charts for navigational aids across a mystery route. The Marion Jayne Air Race is where the full panel is used with weather and aircraft knowledge being added to the competitive equation. After 3 days and 1800 miles of cross country flying, teams will be honored awards. The results of the three national races will be combined to determine the winner of the stunning Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy.
The U.S. Air Race, Inc. was founded by famed race pilot Marion Jayne. Jayne is the only U.S. pilot to have raced twice around the world. She placed second in the 1992 race and won the FAI Gold Medal in 1994. Marion has been honored as one of the century's 100 Aviation Heroes along with the Wrights, John Glenn, Eileen Collins and others at the 2003 Centennial Celebration. Her personal success, her two races around the world, her life before flying were cited as well as her entrepreneurial spirit in founding 4 air races - three of which are still run annually. The National Air Races honor her memory and contributions.
Our ‘Safe, Fair and Fun’ catch phrase was coined at the 1995 inaugural event and characterizes how we work together as organizers and participants to have successful flights. Our teams have flown over 507,607 miles with a perfect safety record. For first-time participants a special briefing is held and new teams are given an experienced event buddy to make sure their rookie experience goes smoothly. Come join us for the fun flying, the camaraderie, the cruising and/or the competition. You’ll have hangar flying stories for years to come!
Wishing you Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Pat
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer
President, U.S. Air Race, Inc.
National Air Races and Air Cruise
www.us-airrace.org]]>Air Racing: Early entry discounts, STE sponsor, first APR entry, more PSR entries, Volunteer openings2013-05-19T19:53:02Z2007-04-26T16:01:51Ztag:www.us-airrace.org,2007-04-26:%2Fcgi-bin%2Fdada%2Fmail.cgi%2Farchive%2FICS%2F20070426160151%2FAir Racing: Early entry discounts, STE sponsor, first APR entry, more PSR entries, Volunteer openings
In a mere 5 days the early entry discounts will expire*. In only 78 days the first of the three National Air Races, the Wichita 300 will depart the JabaraUS Air Race List 2info@us-airrace.org
In a mere 5 days the early entry discounts will expire*. In only 78 days the first of the three National Air Races, the Wichita 300 will depart the Jabara airport. The next three days will see the prestigious Marion Jayne Air Race flown east to the Ozarks, then to Nashville, northeast to the edge of the Appalachians, northwest to the shores of Lake Michigan, north to the Upper Peninsula, west to the shores of Lake Superior and then south to Stevens Point, Wisconsin. At about 600 miles a day, the Marion Jayne is steeped in great scenery and tailor-made for fabulous hangar flying each evening. The next day the City of Stevens Point is sponsoring the Stevens Point 300 Air Race. Two days later Oshkosh (just a few miles east) gets into full swing with the GTO convention in between. Does it get any better than this?
This is air racing for everyone with a 2007 theme of “Compete to Fly the Perfect Cross Country”. YOU have a place in these competitions, whether you want to test your pilot skills in the “Pilot Skill Racing” (PSR) where aircraft are equalized with individual handicaps or whether you want to test the airplane in the “Aircraft Performance Racing” (APR) or test both.
* The free Entry Kit at www.us-airrace.org has all discounts published correctly for PSR race teams and the early entry discount is valid as long as entries are postmarked by April 30. In recognition that APR racers may just be learning they can compete, the January discounts are available if entries are postmarked by April 30. Remember that discounts for teams with less than 1000 hours, instructors bringing student pilots and teams bringing new competitors do not expire.
The City of Stevens Point continues to invest in its airport and places value on General Aviation patronage. Here is a charming city on the shores of the Wisconsin River with the pizzazz of summertime riverfront concerts. We’re fortunate to have the city sponsor our events for a second year. Perennial sponsor and competitor Maisie Stears has also made a donation for the U.S. Air Race to achieve its goals of promoting a positive reputation for General Aviation, improving pilots’ skills through competition and awarding Learn to Fly scholarships by drawing.
Aircraft Performance Racing APR is new to the National Air Races but the first entry has raced with us before. Bob and Jeanine Axsom built their own RV and will be racing in the APR competition as Race 71. They will accrue SARL (Sport Air Racing League) points as the National Air Races are SARL-sanctioned.
We are delighted to see many past race winners return for more challenges. Charles Robinson III and Maisie Stears as Race 6 are back with Maisie’s Geronimo. They are the first team to have supplied all credentials and have been awarded 5 chances each at the Learn-To-Fly Scholarship drawing. While they already know how to fly very well, they can gift the scholarships to someone who wants to learn. 2006 Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy winners, Mike Jones and Rick Vandam will be cruising east in Mike’s Glasair to compete again as Race 10. Race 41 Shelby Bowles and Jim Reed will be charging hard in Shelby’s Cessna Skymaster as they work to repeat their 2004 Perpetual Trophy victory.
As for me, some of the jobs that I do are open for new volunteers. The volunteer positions of Chief Fundraiser and Race Director have brought over a decade of joy as I’ve met hundreds of aviation enthusiasts that are now friends and educated huge numbers of reporters on the benefits of flying ‘small’ airplanes. I’m sure I’ll miss the fun of flying the continent as I organized these events however, when the choice is between spending time with the newly retired husband or doing something else – the time with husband wins. If you would like to volunteer for either of these positions, please send me an email at pjkeefer@gmail.com … oh and it’s important to know that you would be covered by Directors and Officers insurance via the U.S. Air Race, Inc.
Reprise of Mar, 2007 news
Air Racing: First Entries, EI sponsor, PSR, APR and SARL
The Wichita Airport Authority of Wichita, Kansas – the Aviation Capital of the World – is organizing fabulous fun for all of the 2007 race teams. We have lots of great news to report. Here’s the scoop on the first entries, Pilot Skilled Racing (PSR), Aircraft Performance Racing (APR) and the Sport Air Racing League (SARL).
We already have three teams that have entered all three National Air Races. The teams are each unique in their composition. Race 1 is returning Shreveport 300 winners, Harlon Hain and Charlie Daubs in their 260 Comanche – as 2 of the 90 original SR-71 pilots – they have thousands of hours flying fast and precisely. The second team to enter is Race 9, Angus and Chloe Watson in the Schaumburg Flying Club 182S – they did well in their first 300 race in 2006 and are back for more. Angus is the business executive pilot with 210 hours. Chloe is the home executive and is just as excited as Angus to try their hand at all three races this year and they are eligible for the Best team with under 1000 hours award. . Race 11 is the ying and yang team – Mooney Ranger owner Dr Henry Punzi has about 600 hours and co-pilot Bill Vorderbruggen has over 20,000 hours – this is the third time Punzi has entered … stymied in 2005 with starter trouble and then held back with bad weather in 2006, I’m
betting he will race in 2007. More entries are on the way with Renaissance 300 winners Maisie Stears and Charles Robinson III in Maisie’s Geronimo partially entered and a new team from my old hometown, Palatine, Illinois has also said they are coming. Join the fun!
The free entry kit is at http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html
Mac Speed and Electronics International is once again a Silver Sponsor – check out their good stuff at www.buy-ei.com
Some folks have already noticed the broadening of the racing we offer. Pilot Skilled Racing (PSR) is the handicapped speed events we have held for years. We have added Aircraft Performance Racing (APR) for those folks who just want to see how fast they can fly their planes. RV builder Bob Axsom is considering this category. It is a different type of competition that still requires smooth pilot techniques but also rewards those who can tweak engines and airframes to the best advantage. APR teams will race the same course with full panels but without handicaps and will compete for awards that are commensurate with participation. We are actively working with the Sport Air Racing League (SARL) and have agreement in principle today – when the final details are firm, we’ll formally announce how teams can participate and earn SARL points. More details are below.
Reprise of Jan, 2007 news
Air Racing: Fresh Start and Flying the Perfect Cross Country
Happy New Year and welcome to the Fresh Start part of 2007. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to have a Fresh Start to flying – to have more fun flying … not to fly to just keep current or to get maintenance done but to truly go someplace different and fun. The routes for the National Air Races by U.S. Air Race, Inc. fit that resolution and I’m putting them on my calendar now. This is your personal invitation to join the fabulous flying July 15-20, 2007.
Our theme this year is “Air Racing: Compete to Fly the Perfect Cross Country” and the free entry kit is now available at http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html just in time for you to make your own Fresh Start. You did make a resolution to fly more, didn’t you?
There are a number of incentive discounts on the entry fees. To encourage instructors, student pilots and teams with less than 1000 hours, there are entry discounts. Those teams that enter early get the same amount of fun at a lower cost. Those that have raced with us in the past and bring in a new team to join the fun also receive discounts.
We have dovetailed our schedule to join the Jones Publishing GTO™ (Gateway to Oshkosh) Convention. We are fortunate to have both Jones Publishing and Arthur T. Mott Realty returning as Top Gun sponsors. The City of Wichita Airport Authority is also a 2007 Top Gun sponsor. The Wichita 300 will be flown Monday July 15. The premiere 1900-mile Marion Jayne Air Race will travel east across the Ozarks, over the scenic Ohio river valley, north along the east shores of Lake Michigan, into the Upper Peninsula and then south to Wisconsin. The third National Air Race will be the Wisconsin 300 on Friday July 20. The free entry kit is at www.us-airrace.org and has more details. We hope that you'll join with us too and enjoy the fabulous camaraderie that develops with shared flying adventures.
You can fly one, two or all three of our events. Participants will receive an estimated $25,000 in custom trophies, cash, completion plaques, prizes and the all-important bragging rights. Teams may compete in cruise or speed divisions in the 1900-mile Marion Jayne Air Race. Custom divisions with or without handicaps (such as, all RVs, Glasairs, Lancairs, all 172s or turbos) are possible for five or more teams. The events are open to all qualified pilots and planes. Flying will be done under Federal Aviation Regulations in daylight, VFR conditions of 1000’ and 3 miles or better. In PSR – Pilot Skilled Racing, planes are individually handicapped which makes the events a test of flying skills. In APR – Aircraft Performance Racing Division of the Marion Jayne Air Race, there are no handicaps. The Cruise Division is flown at cruise speeds and the team who most closely estimates their flight time, wins. Our goals are to promote the sport of General Aviation and the events’ proceeds
will benefit aviation endeavors. As always, participants have the opportunity to dedicate an aviation scholarship. Scholarships will be distributed evenly among men and women and awarded by drawings in Wichita and Wisconsin.
Reprise of Nov, 2006 news
Air Racing: Marion Jayne Thanksgiving and 2007 National Air Races
Each of us has several families. We have the family that we were born into and the families we acquire throughout life. Folks receiving this email are part of the aviation family and perhaps the air race family. Yesterday as I watched the Mayor of New York talk about the absolute joy of flying during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, it reminded me of how Mom, Marion Jayne, spent her Thanksgivings. My first memory of Thanksgiving was traveling. We were dressed in our good clothes as the family traveled to Grandma’s house where Mom’s sister, her family and other relatives gathered. A few years later the gatherings moved alternately to our house or Mom’s sister house which was just around the corner.
The third iteration involved traveling again. As we children married, Thanksgiving revolved around job schedules and in-laws. It was harder to gather as a family but Mom had a solution for that. At times we had Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday in two different cities. Mom always set the table the night before, labeled the serving pieces with the planned contents and set her alarm clock. She’d get up early, put the turkey in the oven and off she went to the airport. She’d fly to wherever one of her children and their spouse were, pick them up and fly home. The family gathered and gave thanks for all manner of blessings – including the flying travel that enabled us to gather as a family.
As I savor yesterday’s memories and leftovers, I look forward to making more great traveling memories in 2007. Before we leave 2006 let me once again say thank you to all of those who made the 2006 National Air Races possible: the Race Boards, the many volunteers, the wonderful sponsors at http://www.us-airrace.org/sponsors.html and especially our Top Gun sponsors of Arthur T. Mott Realty, City of Hutchinson Kansas Airport Authority and Jones Publishing.
Shortly the web site will be updated for the 2007 National Air Races by U.S. Air Race, Inc. where all pilots and their friends can enjoy “Air Racing: Compete to fly the Perfect Cross Country”. Save July 15-20, 2007 for fabulous flying. The entry kit will be available January 1. We will dovetail our schedule to join the Jones Publishing GTO™ (Gateway to Oshkosh) Convention. We are fortunate to have both Jones Publishing and Arthur T. Mott Realty returning as Top Gun sponsors. The City of Wichita Airport Authority is also a 2007 Top Gun sponsor. The Wichita 300 will be flown Monday July 15. The premiere 1800-mile Marion Jayne Air Race will travel east across the Ozarks, over the scenic Ohio river valley, north along the east shores of Lake Michigan, into the Upper Peninsula and then south to Wisconsin. The third National Air Race will be the Wisconsin 300 on Friday July 20.
I hope that your Thanksgiving holidays were and are filled with marvelous memories and pleasant plans for the future that include flying the perfect cross country in one or more of the National Air Races.
The bookend renaissance-style 300-mile races are where pilotage and precise flying reign supreme as teams compete with only a compass and sectional charts for navigational aids across a mystery route. The Marion Jayne Air Race is where the full panel is used with weather and aircraft knowledge being added to the competitive equation. After 3 days and 1800 miles of cross country flying, teams will be honored awards. The results of the three national races will be combined to determine the winner of the stunning Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy.
The U.S. Air Race, Inc. was founded by famed race pilot Marion Jayne. Jayne is the only U.S. pilot to have raced twice around the world. She placed second in the 1992 race and won the FAI Gold Medal in 1994. Marion has been honored as one of the century's 100 Aviation Heroes along with the Wrights, John Glenn, Eileen Collins and others at the 2003 Centennial Celebration. Her personal success, her two races around the world, her life before flying were cited as well as her entrepreneurial spirit in founding 4 air races - three of which are still run annually. The National Air Races honor her memory and contributions.
Our ‘Safe, Fair and Fun’ catch phrase was coined at the 1995 inaugural event and characterizes how we work together as organizers and participants to have successful flights. Our teams have flown over 507,607 miles with a perfect safety record. For first-time participants a special briefing is held and new teams are given an experienced event buddy to make sure their rookie experience goes smoothly. Come join us for the fun flying, the camaraderie, the cruising and/or the competition. You’ll have hangar flying stories for years to come!
Wishing you Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Pat
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer
President, U.S. Air Race, Inc.
National Air Races and Air Cruise
www.us-airrace.org]]>Air Racing: First Entries, EI sponsor, PSR, APR and SARL2013-05-19T19:53:02Z2007-03-04T15:44:56Ztag:www.us-airrace.org,2007-03-04:%2Fcgi-bin%2Fdada%2Fmail.cgi%2Farchive%2FICS%2F20070304154456%2FAir Racing: First Entries, EI sponsor, PSR, APR and SARL
The Wichita Airport Authority of Wichita, Kansas – the Aviation Capital of the World – is organizing fabulous fun for all of the 2007 race teams. We have lots of great news to report. Here’s the scooUS Air Race List 2info@us-airrace.org
The Wichita Airport Authority of Wichita, Kansas – the Aviation Capital of the World – is organizing fabulous fun for all of the 2007 race teams. We have lots of great news to report. Here’s the scoop on the first entries, Pilot Skilled Racing (PSR), Aircraft Performance Racing (APR) and the Sport Air Racing League (SARL).
We already have three teams that have entered all three National Air Races. The teams are each unique in their composition. Race 1 is returning Shreveport 300 winners, Harlon Hain and Charlie Daubs in their 260 Comanche – as 2 of the 90 original SR-71 pilots – they have thousands of hours flying fast and precisely. The second team to enter is Race 9, Angus and Chloe Watson in the Schaumburg Flying Club 182S – they did well in their first 300 race in 2006 and are back for more. Angus is the business executive pilot with 210 hours. Chloe is the home executive and is just as excited as Angus to try their hand at all three races this year and they are eligible for the Best team with under 1000 hours award. . Race 11 is the ying and yang team – Mooney Ranger owner Dr Henry Punzi has about 600 hours and co-pilot Bill Vorderbruggen has over 20,000 hours – this is the third time Punzi has entered … stymied in 2005 with starter trouble and then held back with bad weather in 2006, I’m
betting he will race in 2007. More entries are on the way with Renaissance 300 winners Maisie Stears and Charles Robinson III in Maisie’s Geronimo partially entered and a new team from my old hometown, Palatine, Illinois has also said they are coming. Join the fun!
The free entry kit is at http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html
Mac Speed and Electronics International is once again a Silver Sponsor – check out their good stuff at www.buy-ei.com
Some folks have already noticed the broadening of the racing we offer. Pilot Skilled Racing (PSR) is the handicapped speed events we have held for years. We have added Aircraft Performance Racing (APR) for those folks who just want to see how fast they can fly their planes. RV builder Bob Axsom is considering this category. It is a different type of competition that still requires smooth pilot techniques but also rewards those who can tweak engines and airframes to the best advantage. APR teams will race the same course with full panels but without handicaps and will compete for awards that are commensurate with participation. We are actively working with the Sport Air Racing League (SARL) and have agreement in principle today – when the final details are firm, we’ll formally announce how teams can participate and earn SARL points. More details are below.
Reprise of Jan, 2007 news
Air Racing: Fresh Start and Flying the Perfect Cross Country
Happy New Year and welcome to the Fresh Start part of 2007. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to have a Fresh Start to flying – to have more fun flying … not to fly to just keep current or to get maintenance done but to truly go someplace different and fun. The routes for the National Air Races by U.S. Air Race, Inc. fit that resolution and I’m putting them on my calendar now. This is your personal invitation to join the fabulous flying July 15-20, 2007.
Our theme this year is “Air Racing: Compete to Fly the Perfect Cross Country” and the free entry kit is now available at http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html just in time for you to make your own Fresh Start. You did make a resolution to fly more, didn’t you?
There are a number of incentive discounts on the entry fees. To encourage instructors, student pilots and teams with less than 1000 hours, there are entry discounts. Those teams that enter early get the same amount of fun at a lower cost. Those that have raced with us in the past and bring in a new team to join the fun also receive discounts.
We have dovetailed our schedule to join the Jones Publishing GTO™ (Gateway to Oshkosh) Convention. We are fortunate to have both Jones Publishing and Arthur T. Mott Realty returning as Top Gun sponsors. The City of Wichita Airport Authority is also a 2007 Top Gun sponsor. The Wichita 300 will be flown Monday July 15. The premiere 1900-mile Marion Jayne Air Race will travel east across the Ozarks, over the scenic Ohio river valley, north along the east shores of Lake Michigan, into the Upper Peninsula and then south to Wisconsin. The third National Air Race will be the Wisconsin 300 on Friday July 20. The free entry kit is at www.us-airrace.org and has more details. We hope that you'll join with us too and enjoy the fabulous camaraderie that develops with shared flying adventures.
You can fly one, two or all three of our events. Participants will receive an estimated $25,000 in custom trophies, cash, completion plaques, prizes and the all-important bragging rights. Teams may compete in cruise or speed divisions in the 1900-mile Marion Jayne Air Race. Custom divisions with or without handicaps (such as, all RVs, Glasairs, Lancairs, all 172s or turbos) are possible for five or more teams. The events are open to all qualified pilots and planes. Flying will be done under Federal Aviation Regulations in daylight, VFR conditions of 1000’ and 3 miles or better. In PSR – Pilot Skilled Racing, planes are individually handicapped which makes the events a test of flying skills. In APR – Aircraft Performance Racing Division of the Marion Jayne Air Race, there are no handicaps. The Cruise Division is flown at cruise speeds and the team who most closely estimates their flight time, wins. Our goals are to promote the sport of General Aviation and the events’ proceeds
will benefit aviation endeavors. As always, participants have the opportunity to dedicate an aviation scholarship. Scholarships will be distributed evenly among men and women and awarded by drawings in Wichita and Wisconsin.
Reprise of Nov, 2006 news
Air Racing: Marion Jayne Thanksgiving and 2007 National Air Races
Each of us has several families. We have the family that we were born into and the families we acquire throughout life. Folks receiving this email are part of the aviation family and perhaps the air race family. Yesterday as I watched the Mayor of New York talk about the absolute joy of flying during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, it reminded me of how Mom, Marion Jayne, spent her Thanksgivings. My first memory of Thanksgiving was traveling. We were dressed in our good clothes as the family traveled to Grandma’s house where Mom’s sister, her family and other relatives gathered. A few years later the gatherings moved alternately to our house or Mom’s sister house which was just around the corner.
The third iteration involved traveling again. As we children married, Thanksgiving revolved around job schedules and in-laws. It was harder to gather as a family but Mom had a solution for that. At times we had Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday in two different cities. Mom always set the table the night before, labeled the serving pieces with the planned contents and set her alarm clock. She’d get up early, put the turkey in the oven and off she went to the airport. She’d fly to wherever one of her children and their spouse were, pick them up and fly home. The family gathered and gave thanks for all manner of blessings – including the flying travel that enabled us to gather as a family.
As I savor yesterday’s memories and leftovers, I look forward to making more great traveling memories in 2007. Before we leave 2006 let me once again say thank you to all of those who made the 2006 National Air Races possible: the Race Boards, the many volunteers, the wonderful sponsors at http://www.us-airrace.org/sponsors.html and especially our Top Gun sponsors of Arthur T. Mott Realty, City of Hutchinson Kansas Airport Authority and Jones Publishing.
Shortly the web site will be updated for the 2007 National Air Races by U.S. Air Race, Inc. where all pilots and their friends can enjoy “Air Racing: Compete to fly the Perfect Cross Country”. Save July 15-20, 2007 for fabulous flying. The entry kit will be available January 1. We will dovetail our schedule to join the Jones Publishing GTO™ (Gateway to Oshkosh) Convention. We are fortunate to have both Jones Publishing and Arthur T. Mott Realty returning as Top Gun sponsors. The City of Wichita Airport Authority is also a 2007 Top Gun sponsor. The Wichita 300 will be flown Monday July 15. The premiere 1800-mile Marion Jayne Air Race will travel east across the Ozarks, over the scenic Ohio river valley, north along the east shores of Lake Michigan, into the Upper Peninsula and then south to Wisconsin. The third National Air Race will be the Wisconsin 300 on Friday July 20.
I hope that your Thanksgiving holidays were and are filled with marvelous memories and pleasant plans for the future that include flying the perfect cross country in one or more of the National Air Races.
The bookend renaissance-style 300-mile races are where pilotage and precise flying reign supreme as teams compete with only a compass and sectional charts for navigational aids across a mystery route. The Marion Jayne Air Race is where the full panel is used with weather and aircraft knowledge being added to the competitive equation. After 3 days and 1800 miles of cross country flying, teams will be honored awards. The results of the three national races will be combined to determine the winner of the stunning Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy.
The U.S. Air Race, Inc. was founded by famed race pilot Marion Jayne. Jayne is the only U.S. pilot to have raced twice around the world. She placed second in the 1992 race and won the FAI Gold Medal in 1994. Marion has been honored as one of the century's 100 Aviation Heroes along with the Wrights, John Glenn, Eileen Collins and others at the 2003 Centennial Celebration. Her personal success, her two races around the world, her life before flying were cited as well as her entrepreneurial spirit in founding 4 air races - three of which are still run annually. The National Air Races honor her memory and contributions.
Our ‘Safe, Fair and Fun’ catch phrase was coined at the 1995 inaugural event and characterizes how we work together as organizers and participants to have successful flights. Our teams have flown over 507,607 miles with a perfect safety record. For first-time participants a special briefing is held and new teams are given an experienced event buddy to make sure their rookie experience goes smoothly. Come join us for the fun flying, the camaraderie, the cruising and/or the competition. You’ll have hangar flying stories for years to come!
Wishing you Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Pat
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer
President, U.S. Air Race, Inc.
National Air Races and Air Cruise
www.us-airrace.org]]>Air Racing: Fresh Start and Flying the Perfect Cross Country2013-05-19T19:53:02Z2007-01-02T11:09:56Ztag:www.us-airrace.org,2007-01-02:%2Fcgi-bin%2Fdada%2Fmail.cgi%2Farchive%2FICS%2F20070102110956%2FAir Racing: Fresh Start and Flying the Perfect Cross Country
Happy New Year and welcome to the Fresh Start part of 2007. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to have a Fresh Start to flying – to have more fun flying … not to fly to just keep current or to gUS Air Race List 2info@us-airrace.org
Happy New Year and welcome to the Fresh Start part of 2007. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to have a Fresh Start to flying – to have more fun flying … not to fly to just keep current or to get maintenance done but to truly go someplace different and fun. The routes for the National Air Races by U.S. Air Race, Inc. fit that resolution and I’m putting them on my calendar now. This is your personal invitation to join the fabulous flying July 15-20, 2007.
Our theme this year is “Air Racing: Compete to Fly the Perfect Cross Country” and the free entry kit is now available at http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html just in time for you to make your own Fresh Start. You did make a resolution to fly more, didn’t you?
There are a number of incentive discounts on the entry fees. To encourage instructors, student pilots and teams with less than 1000 hours, there are entry discounts. Those teams that enter early get the same amount of fun at a lower cost. Those that have raced with us in the past and bring in a new team to join the fun also receive discounts.
We have dovetailed our schedule to join the Jones Publishing GTO™ (Gateway to Oshkosh) Convention. We are fortunate to have both Jones Publishing and Arthur T. Mott Realty returning as Top Gun sponsors. The City of Wichita Airport Authority is also a 2007 Top Gun sponsor. The Wichita 300 will be flown Monday July 15. The premiere 1900-mile Marion Jayne Air Race will travel east across the Ozarks, over the scenic Ohio river valley, north along the east shores of Lake Michigan, into the Upper Peninsula and then south to Wisconsin. The third National Air Race will be the Wisconsin 300 on Friday July 20. The free entry kit is at www.us-airrace.org and has more details. We hope that you'll join with us too and enjoy the fabulous camaraderie that develops with shared flying adventures.
You can fly one, two or all three of our events. Participants will receive an estimated $25,000 in custom trophies, cash, completion plaques, prizes and the all-important bragging rights. Teams may compete in cruise or speed divisions in the 1900-mile Marion Jayne Air Race. Custom divisions with or without handicaps (such as, all RVs, Glasairs, Lancairs, all 172s or turbos) are possible for five or more teams. The events are open to all qualified pilots and planes. Flying will be done under Federal Aviation Regulations in daylight, VFR conditions of 1000’ and 3 miles or better. In PSR – Pilot Skilled Racing, planes are individually handicapped which makes the events a test of flying skills. In APR – Aircraft Performance Racing Division of the Marion Jayne Air Race, there are no handicaps. The Cruise Division is flown at cruise speeds and the team who most closely estimates their flight time, wins. Our goals are to promote the sport of General Aviation and the events’ proceeds
will benefit aviation endeavors. As always, participants have the opportunity to dedicate an aviation scholarship. Scholarships will be distributed evenly among men and women and awarded by drawings in Wichita and Wisconsin.
The bookend renaissance-style 300-mile races are where pilotage and precise flying reign supreme as teams compete with only a compass and sectional charts for navigational aids across a mystery route. The Marion Jayne Air Race is where the full panel is used with weather and aircraft knowledge being added to the competitive equation. After 3 days and 1900 miles of cross country flying, teams will be honored awards. The results of the three PSR National Air Races will be combined to determine the winner of the stunning Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy. Cruise and APR divisions will have their own set of trophies and bragging rights.
The U.S. Air Race, Inc. was founded by famed race pilot Marion Jayne. Jayne is the only U.S. pilot to have raced twice around the world. She placed second in the 1992 race and won the FAI Gold Medal in 1994. Marion has been honored as one of the century's 100 Aviation Heroes along with the Wrights, John Glenn, Eileen Collins and others at the 2003 Centennial Celebration. Her personal success, her two races around the world, her life before flying were cited as well as her entrepreneurial spirit in founding 4 air races - three of which are still run annually. The National Air Races honor her memory and contributions.
Our ‘Safe, Fair and Fun’ catch phrase was coined at the 1995 inaugural event and characterizes how we work together as organizers and participants to have successful flights. Our teams have flown over 507,607 miles with a perfect safety record. For first-time participants a special briefing is held and new teams are given an experienced event buddy to make sure their rookie experience goes smoothly. Come join us for the fun flying, the camaraderie, the cruising and/or the competition. You’ll have hangar flying stories for years to come!
Reprise of Nov, 2006 news
Air Racing: Marion Jayne Thanksgiving and 2007 National Air Races
Each of us has several families. We have the family that we were born into and the families we acquire throughout life. Folks receiving this email are part of the aviation family and perhaps the air race family. Yesterday as I watched the Mayor of New York talk about the absolute joy of flying during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, it reminded me of how Mom, Marion Jayne, spent her Thanksgivings. My first memory of Thanksgiving was traveling. We were dressed in our good clothes as the family traveled to Grandma’s house where Mom’s sister, her family and other relatives gathered. A few years later the gatherings moved alternately to our house or Mom’s sister house which was just around the corner.
The third iteration involved traveling again. As we children married, Thanksgiving revolved around job schedules and in-laws. It was harder to gather as a family but Mom had a solution for that. At times we had Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday in two different cities. Mom always set the table the night before, labeled the serving pieces with the planned contents and set her alarm clock. She’d get up early, put the turkey in the oven and off she went to the airport. She’d fly to wherever one of her children and their spouse were, pick them up and fly home. The family gathered and gave thanks for all manner of blessings – including the flying travel that enabled us to gather as a family.
As I savor yesterday’s memories and leftovers, I look forward to making more great traveling memories in 2007. Before we leave 2006 let me once again say thank you to all of those who made the 2006 National Air Races possible: the Race Boards, the many volunteers, the wonderful sponsors at http://www.us-airrace.org/sponsors.html and especially our Top Gun sponsors of Arthur T. Mott Realty, City of Hutchinson Kansas Airport Authority and Jones Publishing.
Shortly the web site will be updated for the 2007 National Air Races by U.S. Air Race, Inc. where all pilots and their friends can enjoy “Air Racing: Compete to fly the Perfect Cross Country”. Save July 15-20, 2007 for fabulous flying. The entry kit will be available January 1. We will dovetail our schedule to join the Jones Publishing GTO™ (Gateway to Oshkosh) Convention. We are fortunate to have both Jones Publishing and Arthur T. Mott Realty returning as Top Gun sponsors. The City of Wichita Airport Authority is also a 2007 Top Gun sponsor. The Wichita 300 will be flown Monday July 15. The premiere 1800-mile Marion Jayne Air Race will travel east across the Ozarks, over the scenic Ohio river valley, north along the east shores of Lake Michigan, into the Upper Peninsula and then south to Wisconsin. The third National Air Race will be the Wisconsin 300 on Friday July 20.
I hope that your Thanksgiving holidays were and are filled with marvelous memories and pleasant plans for the future that include flying the perfect cross country in one or more of the National Air Races.
The bookend renaissance-style 300-mile races are where pilotage and precise flying reign supreme as teams compete with only a compass and sectional charts for navigational aids across a mystery route. The Marion Jayne Air Race is where the full panel is used with weather and aircraft knowledge being added to the competitive equation. After 3 days and 1800 miles of cross country flying, teams will be honored awards. The results of the three national races will be combined to determine the winner of the stunning Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy.
The U.S. Air Race, Inc. was founded by famed race pilot Marion Jayne. Jayne is the only U.S. pilot to have raced twice around the world. She placed second in the 1992 race and won the FAI Gold Medal in 1994. Marion has been honored as one of the century's 100 Aviation Heroes along with the Wrights, John Glenn, Eileen Collins and others at the 2003 Centennial Celebration. Her personal success, her two races around the world, her life before flying were cited as well as her entrepreneurial spirit in founding 4 air races - three of which are still run annually. The National Air Races honor her memory and contributions.
Our ‘Safe, Fair and Fun’ catch phrase was coined at the 1995 inaugural event and characterizes how we work together as organizers and participants to have successful flights. Our teams have flown over 507,607 miles with a perfect safety record. For first-time participants a special briefing is held and new teams are given an experienced event buddy to make sure their rookie experience goes smoothly. Come join us for the fun flying, the camaraderie, the cruising and/or the competition. You’ll have hangar flying stories for years to come!
Wishing you Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Pat
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer
President, U.S. Air Race, Inc.
National Air Races and Air Cruise
www.us-airrace.org]]>Air Racing: Marion Jayne Thanksgiving and 2007 National Air Races2013-05-19T19:53:02Z2006-11-24T12:29:39Ztag:www.us-airrace.org,2006-11-24:%2Fcgi-bin%2Fdada%2Fmail.cgi%2Farchive%2FICS%2F20061124122939%2FAir Racing: Marion Jayne Thanksgiving and 2007 National Air Races
Each of us has several families. We have the family that we were born into and the families we acquire throughout life. Folks receiving this email are part of the aviation family and perhapsUS Air Race List 2info@us-airrace.org
Each of us has several families. We have the family that we were born into and the families we acquire throughout life. Folks receiving this email are part of the aviation family and perhaps the air race family. Yesterday as I watched the Mayor of New York talk about the absolute joy of flying during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, it reminded me of how Mom, Marion Jayne, spent her Thanksgivings. My first memory of Thanksgiving was traveling. We were dressed in our good clothes as the family traveled to Grandma’s house where Mom’s sister, her family and other relatives gathered. A few years later the gatherings moved alternately to our house or Mom’s sister house which was just around the corner.
The third iteration involved traveling again. As we children married, Thanksgiving revolved around job schedules and in-laws. It was harder to gather as a family but Mom had a solution for that. At times we had Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday in two different cities. Mom always set the table the night before, labeled the serving pieces with the planned contents and set her alarm clock. She’d get up early, put the turkey in the oven and off she went to the airport. She’d fly to wherever one of her children and their spouse were, pick them up and fly home. The family gathered and gave thanks for all manner of blessings – including the flying travel that enabled us to gather as a family.
As I savor yesterday’s memories and leftovers, I look forward to making more great traveling memories in 2007. Before we leave 2006 let me once again say thank you to all of those who made the 2006 National Air Races possible: the Race Boards, the many volunteers, the wonderful sponsors at http://www.us-airrace.org/sponsors.html and especially our Top Gun sponsors of Arthur T. Mott Realty, City of Hutchinson Kansas Airport Authority and Jones Publishing.
Shortly the web site will be updated for the 2007 National Air Races by U.S. Air Race, Inc. where all pilots and their friends can enjoy “Air Racing: Compete to fly the Perfect Cross Country”. Save July 15-20, 2007 for fabulous flying. The entry kit will be available January 1. We will dovetail our schedule to join the Jones Publishing GTO™ (Gateway to Oshkosh) Convention. We are fortunate to have both Jones Publishing and Arthur T. Mott Realty returning as Top Gun sponsors. The City of Wichita Airport Authority is also a 2007 Top Gun sponsor. The Wichita 300 will be flown Monday July 15. The premiere 1800-mile Marion Jayne Air Race will travel east across the Ozarks, over the scenic Ohio river valley, north along the east shores of Lake Michigan, into the Upper Peninsula and then south to Wisconsin. The third National Air Race will be the Wisconsin 300 on Friday July 20.
I hope that your Thanksgiving holidays were and are filled with marvelous memories and pleasant plans for the future that include flying the perfect cross country in one or more of the National Air Races.
The bookend renaissance-style 300-mile races are where pilotage and precise flying reign supreme as teams compete with only a compass and sectional charts for navigational aids across a mystery route. The Marion Jayne Air Race is where the full panel is used with weather and aircraft knowledge being added to the competitive equation. After 3 days and 1800 miles of cross country flying, teams will be honored awards. The results of the three national races will be combined to determine the winner of the stunning Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy.
The U.S. Air Race, Inc. was founded by famed race pilot Marion Jayne. Jayne is the only U.S. pilot to have raced twice around the world. She placed second in the 1992 race and won the FAI Gold Medal in 1994. Marion has been honored as one of the century's 100 Aviation Heroes along with the Wrights, John Glenn, Eileen Collins and others at the 2003 Centennial Celebration. Her personal success, her two races around the world, her life before flying were cited as well as her entrepreneurial spirit in founding 4 air races - three of which are still run annually. The National Air Races honor her memory and contributions.
Our ‘Safe, Fair and Fun’ catch phrase was coined at the 1995 inaugural event and characterizes how we work together as organizers and participants to have successful flights. Our teams have flown over 507,607 miles with a perfect safety record. For first-time participants a special briefing is held and new teams are given an experienced event buddy to make their rookie experience goes smoothly. Come join us for the fun flying, the camaraderie, the cruising and/or the competition. You’ll have hangar flying stories for years to come!
Wishing you Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Pat
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer
President, U.S. Air Race, Inc.
National Air Races and Air Cruise
www.us-airrace.org]]>Air Racing: Tick-Tick-Tick, Jeppesen and Celebrating Lives2013-05-19T19:53:02Z2006-06-29T08:56:45Ztag:www.us-airrace.org,2006-06-29:%2Fcgi-bin%2Fdada%2Fmail.cgi%2Farchive%2FICS%2F20060629085645%2FAir Racing: Tick-Tick-Tick, Jeppesen and Celebrating Lives
This is air racing where it’s about the pilots. If you and your airplane are current, grab a friend and you can be racing in a mere three weeks. Yup, you could be standing up there holding the tropUS Air Race List 2info@us-airrace.org
This is air racing where it’s about the pilots. If you and your airplane are current, grab a friend and you can be racing in a mere three weeks. Yup, you could be standing up there holding the trophies if you fly the most perfect cross country. Go to www.us-airrace.org for the free entry kit. Remember that the races dovetail with the GTO ™ (Gateway to Oshkosh) Convention - Oshkosh the easy way. If you are short on time, choose the Hutchinson 300 Air Race or the Wisconsin 300 Air Race which only take a couple of days instead of a whole week. Tick-Tick-Tick. Celebrate the 4th of July by using your freedom to fly the most perfect cross country and have an explosively good time. Entries will be open until July 10.
Teams from California to Florida and Texas to Wisconsin will be flying to that beautiful city on the shores of the river that stretches a third of the continent from the Rocky Mountains to the mighty Mississippi – that’s Hutchinson, Kansas on the Arkansas River. The city of Hutchinson just loves its airport and it is the Airport Authority, Wells Aircraft FBO, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and volunteers that are hosting the start of the three National Air Races in 2006: the Hutchinson 300 Air Race, the prestigious Marion Jayne Air Race and the Wisconsin 300 Air Race. They will be welcoming racers with a couple of hundred hours to those with tens of thousands of hours. Half the teams are flying their first race. Some are flying for enjoyment and some are gunning for the top trophies. Join us for the fun, the challenge, the scenery and the camaraderie. The competitions will begin with the reception at the fabulous Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Museum and the ‘Cain’t Say No’
challenge.
Jeppesen is helping to sponsor the races. They’ve donated flight planning supplies and awards. The National Air Races use the Jeppesen FlightStar program to construct its routes and facilitate scoring, timing and managing the races with the technology-based Logger systems. Each of three new full IFR Jeppesen NavSuite subscriptions will be given to the winners of the three air races. U.S. Air Race, Inc. will award over $25,000 in cash, trophies and prizes.
In the past few days I was privileged to join others in the closing Celebration of Life services for two of our past supporters: Marian Koehler and Don Hawkins. Marian was that bright beam of light and merriment that joined Stan Koehler in his flying pursuits. As the passenger in charge of fun, she found Fifi, the inflatable flying friend and brought her along in The Recreational Rocket for Stan’s 70th birthday. As a former Advisory Board member she put together some of our early scrapbooks. She left a marvelous legacy of family and has gone away to ‘dance with Stan’ once again. Now Don Hawkins was a pilot, aviation businessman and fan of Marion Jayne. He flew with her and supported her endeavors including the two around the world races. He acted as the Stop Boss for Atchison, Kansas for one of the races. He leaves behind his wife, Carol and a long list of happy customers. While the deaths were age-appropriate vs aviation-accident oriented and there is so much to celebrate a
bout their lives, I will still miss them until I join them where the skies are always blue and the tailwinds are always going my way. My next flight will be flown in their honor.
Here is a reprise of the details from the previous newsletters.
06/01/06 Air Racing: Jeopardy Music, More Entries, Cushy Sponsor and Helping the ARC
We’ve all been trained that when we hear the Final Jeopardy theme music, we need to make a decision quickly or risk losing money and the bragging rights that go with winning that competition. Well, in the world of air racing that music is playing as the time for entering is growing short and if you don’t make a decision to enter soon, you risk losing the opportunity to be a part of the most fun flying events this year, great prizes, some cash and yes, the all-important bragging rights. Oh, and did I mention the part about making new friends or seeing your flying buddies? Plus, the flying will be great too! In a mere 45 days the skies in Hutchinson, Kansas will buzz with excitement as the planes and pilots for the Hutchinson 300 and Marion Jayne Air Races gather for the competitions. Pull down the entry kit from www.us-airrace.org now. It’s easy to enter and your Certificate of Insurance can be sent later.
Entries will be limited by the number of GPS loggers we have. The loggers provide the timing and tracks of each race team. We are ordering more based on the folks who have told us they are entering however, if teams keep entering, we can run out. The airplane stops when it runs out of fuel and we will stop accepting entries when we run out of loggers. We have a bunch of new entries: Race 74 Duncan and Carolyn will be in their Swearingen SX300, Race 30 Robert and Sarah will be in Robert’s Twin Comanche, Race 7 is returning Texas 200 winners Dennis and Jeanette Hackler in their Arrow and Race 3 2005 Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy winner Marv Guthrie returns with his Bonanza and frequent co-pilot and top racer, Cheryl Finke.
Our new cushy sponsor is Oregon Aero at www.OregonAero.com and I can vouch for the excellence of their seat cushions as they sponsored us in the 1994 Round the World Race where we sat on their cushions for 9 to 11 hours at a time. They are providing awards of seat cushions and headset upgrades. We welcome their support.
Later this month our Vice President Pat Purcell and Director Jill Williams have volunteered to help the organizers of the Air Race Classic by staffing one of the Texas race stops. Just as Marion Jayne founded this air race company, she was also one of seven who founded this women-only competition. In Jayne’s lifetime she won the event four times: twice with her Twin Comanche and twice with a borrowed Civil Air Patrol 172. While the races are similar, in contrast to the U.S. Air Race individual aircraft handicaps, the Air Race Classic continues to use modified make and model handicaps. Race 7’s co-pilot Jeanette Hackler will be flying Pilot in Command for this event. We wish all participants a safe race.
5/10/06 Air Racing: GTO™ Gateway To Oshkosh, More Entries and 2007 Start Sponsor
The GTO ™ Gateway To Oshkosh Convention run by Jones Publishing is shaping up to be even more fun than last year. Since our National Air Races will dovetail with this excellent event, the races and the convention are the best excuses I know to have fun flying to Wisconsin and enjoy visiting EAA’s AirVenture at Oshkosh via the GTO transportation. It is sooo easy and very low stress to see Oshkosh this way. Final arrangements are being made and schedules are printed. You know you want to come, so pull down that free entry kit from www.us-airrace.oirg and get the airplane ready to fly.
The veterans and the rookie race teams are lining up for the flying extravaganza. Returning winners of Ed Hutson and Larry Chubb will be racing Ed’s 172 again. I remember Ed won his rookie race and commented that ‘I learned more about my airplane with this race than I did in the previous 8 years of ownership’. He didn’t comment on the fun but his smile says it all at http://www.us-airrace.org/pastwinners_2.pdf. It was Larry Chubb that got Ed racing in the first place as they shared the hangar aisle and Larry kept telling Ed how much fun it was. The photo at http://www.us-airrace.org/2003_results.pdf will show you how excited Maisie Stears was to win the Renaissance 300 Air Race. She’ll be racing her Geronimo, nicknamed Sweet Potato with a yet to be named copilot. Maisie also arranged for her company Krump Pump and Equipment to help sponsor the races with a nice check. Thank you Maisie.
Rookie race team of Don and Pat Eisenberg from southern California will fit right in with the veterans as Don has more experience at life than any of the racers I know about. He and his wife, Pat have flown all over the country and will be joining all three National Air Races for the first time in a Cessna 182 as Race #11.
We’re excited to begin our plans for 2007 with the Wichita Airport Authority providing the Start location Top Gun sponsorship. This hub of aviation may have the highest density of airports per square mile in the nation. We’ll be using the Jabara airport as the launch pad for the Wichita 300 Air Race and the 1800-mile Marion Jayne Air Race. It is quite enjoyable to think about where we’ll be flying next year. We will be racing the same week, so keep that third week of July open for fabulous flying fun.
4/25/06 Air Racing: $50 discount, Fun entries, Rule changes for transponders, Glass cockpits and New Chief Scorer
Warning, warning – only five days left. Entries postmarked on or before April 30, will still get the early entry discount ranging from $25 to $50. Remember that entries are accepted without the Certificate of Insurance. As long as that document is received before the events, you are good to go racing. The free entry kit is at www.us-airrace.org.
We are getting lots of fun entries. Rookie team Race 1 is Missouri software engineer Lori with her 425 hours as pilot and Donn, industrial hygienist with his 1250 hours as copilot in a Diamond Star. The Texas Race 13 team of Bob and Carol, 2003 Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy winners, are back this year with a different plane, a 1994 Saratoga. These two are a very fun couple who refer to the plane as Ski Bunny Express. Bob will be leaving his beautiful new breezy at home. Carol also owns part of the 140 Cherokee that got Bob started racing when he and Mark (more about Mark in a minute) were rookies. As rookie racers, they beat all of the very experienced teams on the first leg of the Marion Jayne Air Race coming out of Fargo, ND. Mathew and Pam have entered as Race 54 again … as in ‘Race 54, Where are you?’ They have been to Hutchinson, Kansas before and are eager to visit again. We expect the New Jersey couple to laughingly (as in ‘with great humor and high spirits’) pursue t
heir perennial objective of ‘beating Arthur’. Arthur will enter soon as Race 29. We know several more entries are in process, so come join the fun!
We try to be as inclusive as possible and that has generated two rule changes. A Cessna 140 owner wants to enter the Hutchison 300 Air Race but the plane does not have a transponder so we changed the rules so that safety and the ability to find the team, should there be a problem, is not compromised. Teams with an aircraft without a transponder may race the 300 mile races as long as they have a PLB, Personal Locator Beacon on board.
Glass cockpits presented a challenge on how to obscure the navigational pieces displayed for the 300-mile pilotage-only race without damaging the film covering the glass by using decals. After speaking with Garmin, we developed the following approach. Teams with glass cockpits will create a custom template using a manila folder or similar material so that appropriate non-navigational information is shown but nav aids are not. The template will be taped over the glass panels without touching the glass with quick release tape. This approach will supplant the decals for the renaissance rules. The key in all cases is that should navigation aids be needed for safety reasons, they are immediately available to the team by removing the covering.
Here is the more about Mark part I promised above. Mark Caputo is really the one responsible for getting Bob racing as he was the high bidder on a donated air race entry auctioned off at his child’s school. Now Mark is not yet a pilot but he does own the other half of the Cherokee 140 with Carol. Mark has volunteered his time and computer expertise to be our Chief Scorer this year. If all goes according to plan, he will be doing a very long dual cross country with Jill Williams as his instructor … all student pilots should have so much fun on a long cross country … oh the scenery he will see!
4/15/06 Air Racing: IRS, Low Fat, Zero Carbs and Orr sponsorship
It is the weekend everyone dreads if they haven’t already calculated the impact of the IRS on their life. My husband and I once painted our entire living and dining rooms as a procrastination tactic before tax preparation. The next year we outsourced the final preparation but we still have to gather everything. Ugh. So today, they got mailed. Yea! The purpose of this email is to bring a little levity to this weekend and remind us that after the IRS is paid, we can pay ourselves with a good time flying. In a mere 91 days the 2006 National Air Races will convene. Where will you be when the fun starts? If you would like a quick procrastination tactic of your own, go to the web site (www.us-airrace.org) and download the entry kit and use that as your carrot to complete the taxes, and then enter one or more air races. If you can’t make it this year, since this is an all volunteer company, tax deductible charitable donations are welcome for Learn-To-Fly Scholarships or raffle ticke
ts for same. Details are on the web site.
I want to mention that this is low fat fun. In fact, regardless of what I eat, air racing is usually good for a one week weight loss of five pounds. It must be all the adrenaline pumping that blasts through the fat … and mind you, I’m just watching the fun. When I did the world race I lost even more at a rate of a pound a day for 24 days and so did everyone else. Of course there are zero carbohydrates in air racing ... so what’s not to like?
Everyone along the route is gearing up for your arrival. The city of Orr, Minnesota – a town of 250 – is helping to sponsor the race and has an excellent brochure that is included with the Confirmation Kit. The race teams may only stop and top the tanks or spend one night but wow, this is a place that needs to be seen again – nature at its finest!
4/13/06 Air Racing: NAA endorses timing method, Cherokee 140 team to race, Returning Champions, HUT hosts Comanche Fly-in, Confirmation Kits available
We are excited to announce that the National Aeronautic Association (NAA at www.naa.aero) has endorsed the U.S. Air Race timing method as an approved process for record setting purposes. This means that any team that flies with us and desires to set speed records during the Marion Jayne Air Race will be able to apply for NAA recognition. The NAA is the record-keeper for United States aviation and has ties with the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), a sister organization to the Olympics.
Wisconsin has their first race team entry with Wanda Zuege and John Thompson (Race 2) of Am I High Aviation (wwwamihighaviation.com) racing the venerable Cherokee 140. I must share that Wanda did laugh/giggle at the thought of calling a Cherokee 140 a race plane however she realized that because the National Air Races is ‘Air Racing: Where it’s all about the pilots’, she and John have a chance at some bragging rights. In the Hutchinson 300 they will have quite an advantage with their speed and radius of turn. Wanda and John will race two of the three National Air Races as they will also be running the Ground School during the GTO (Gateway To Oshkosh) Convention. Their accelerated ground school has a 100% pass record.
Of course, Wanda and John will have to contend with returning Champions Shelby Bowles and Jim Reed (Race 41). This team exemplifies the spirit of race teams. In 2003 they had a surprisingly poor showing in the first of the three National Air Races. When I say poor, I mean they placed last in the California 300. Ever the competitors, they chugged on along in the Marion Jayne Air Race which was 7 legs and 2100 miles that year. The Cessna 337 Skymaster team didn’t win the first leg to Arizona or the second leg to New Mexico but they kept on coming. By the time they finished at the Cleveland National Air Show, they’d won their division of the Marion Jayne Race. The final challenge was the Cleveland 300 pilotage only race and they took first place to shoot them into Champion status for the combined three events. And along the way they helped one of their key competitors by hand-propping a Tiger when its starter failed. Come meet Shelby the Marine turned financial planner and Jim,
the engineer turned air show pilot. They have bushels of hangar flying stories to share. Oh, almost forgot to mention that these two are running a race in May. See www.crosscountryairrace.com for details.
Race start headquarters, Hutchinson, Kansas showed off its aviation hospitality at the March 31 – April 2 Comanche Fly-In. 65 people and 35 planes from 12 states enjoyed the Wells Aircraft services, Airport Steakhouse and Blue Duck Bistro cuisine while taking in a Comanche maintenance seminar and the fabulous Cosmosphere with a few sides trips for antique shopping thrown in for good measure. The Hutchinson Press covered the event with a photographer and reporter. This gem of a city managed to have perfect weather in the midst of tornado and storm season. We’ve asked the Chamber of Commerce to arrange for the same weather in July. They said they’d put in the request.
3/10/06 Air Racing: Father-Son team enters, Popular Questions and Great Press
One of the neatest things about running an air race is seeing the passion for flight passed from generation to generation or friend to friend. Air racing is what cemented the already good relationship my mother, Marion Jayne, and I had – after all, it is soooo hard to argue when your shoulders are but a few inches apart. Also, it was really fun to tease her and say that as the navigator, I told my mother where to go on a regular basis and she did it! (It is a good thing I was right otherwise my air race days would have been a very small number). In 2006 Race #31 will be the father-son team of Glenn and Grant who will be flying the family 2003 AG5B Tiger with us for the first time. We are thrilled they will join all the fun of the Marion Jayne Air Race. The team comes from Indiana and they had the two most popular questions.
1. What are the license requirements for the co-pilot? None. A second person is required to be able to spot a plane and alert the pilot. Multiple crew members are encouraged as it is fun to share the experience and the belly waxing responsibilities. Handicapping is done with all crew on board.
2. What if your insurance company declines to name the air race as additionally insured? Call us and let us know. Since insurance companies have helped sponsor the race, this has always been just a matter of education.
We have great press to report again. The air race is the cover story for the Fly-Low publication which shipped about 70,000 copies this month and covered all 50 states. The story is just part one of the planned coverage. Ralph McCormick has published this gem for six years now and has a very loyal base of readers and advertisers. Look for it at your airport or log onto their web site at www.fly-low.com and you’ll see our entry kit duplicated there. We appreciate Ralph and his team’s support.
Check out the latest issues of Cessna Owner Organization Magazine and the Piper Owners Society magazine as they both highlight our competitions. We dovetail into their GTO ™ convention – see details below. We are excited at this new partnership that brings fun and benefits to race teams and racing opportunities to GTO attendees. Soon you’ll hear about the joint arrangements in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
2/15/06 Air Racing: Hutchinson, Kansas Start, GTO(™) Finish and Race Team 8 is Great
The Hutchinson Airport Advisory Board and the City of Hutchinson, Kansas are hosting the start festivities for the Marion Jayne Air Race and the Hutchinson 300 Air Race. Let me tell you a bit about this fabulous city that loves its airport. I first visited this central Kansas city in 1997 when it was a stop on our race. I was greeted with warm cookies from the Wells Aircraft FBO and a City of Hutchinson ceramic mug. There is an immediate feeling of welcome comfort here. Everything from the Arkansas River that started in the Rocky Mountains and passes through the city center and runs parallel to the vintage Avenue A boulevard of large Victorian homes to the how-the-race-to-space-unfolded Smithsonian quality exhibits shown in the stunning Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Museum. The Museum holds a mounted SR-71, the Endeavor space shuttle, the Apollo 13 Command module, an IMAX theater, Dr Goddard’s Lab, a café, shop and more. Wells Aircraft is sponsoring the trophies for the Hutch
inson 300. By the way 60 kt tailwinds were recorded during the 1999 race here. Check them out at www.hutchchamber.com
If that isn’t enough to pique your interest, they have an excellent steak house in the airport terminal building, a water park in the hotel in which we’ll be staying and the new Salt Mine attraction is due to open soon. Shopper Alert – there is an antique district downtown and a unique Amish community about 20 minutes southeast of town. Those folks that come to our events will likely follow me in returning to Hutchinson again and again. We’ll talk about the intermediary stops on the 1800-mile Marion Jayne route in coming newsletters.
The finish for the Marion Jayne Air Race is at the Gateway to Oshkosh, GTO(TM) Convention and Fly-in operated by Jones Publishing – the folks who bring you the Cessna Owner Organization and Piper Owners Society monthly magazines. Their Convention and Fly-in has seminars, fun food gatherings, ground schools and very comfortable transportation to and from EAA’s AirVenture event at Oshkosh for the opening three days. When we lived in Illinois, we used to go to Oshkosh all the time. It was a great experience flying in but I still remember taxiing for 45 minutes to a parking space and then pulling the plane down the taxiway as we were the umpty-umpth plane in line for departure – that light Twin Comanche got heavy. The bus rides sound like we get all the fun without so much of the work. I’m all for that.
Our theme this year is "Air Racing: Where it’s all about the Pilots". Race Team ‘8 is great’ is competing again this year. Last year the Texas married folk of AnnElise and Bobby Bennett nearly took the top award in their rookie race efforts in their personally renovated 172. Now they are addicted. Bobby had been a pilot for years when he challenged AnnElise with “If you learn to fly, I’ll buy you an airplane”. She did and he did so the rest is happy flying history. It was AnnElise’s turn to excite Bobby with this whole idea of air racing. They are a relaxed fun couple on the ground and keen competitors in the air. They are looking forward to seeing their new friends from last year.
1/20/06 Air Racing: Tailwinds, First Entry, Press and Sponsors
Where is an air race when you need one? Today I had 55 kt tailwinds at 3,000’ in the DFW area. Too bad I was only exercising the engines and pilot skills and had to return with the corresponding headwinds. The racing juices were flowing as I certainly did enjoy watching the GPS speeds for part of the flight!
I am happy to announce the first entry for all three of the 2006 races is Mike Jones from Fullerton, CA. Mike and his yet to be named co-pilot will be flying Mike’s Glasair lll as Race #10. This is the same number he uses when he competes in the Reno Air Races. Even though this is the first time Mike will race our events, with his credentials, I expect him to have fun and take home some hardware. There are another 11 teams in the process of entering and they fly 172s to Barons. The entry kit is posted on the web site at http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html. With folks like Mike you can see why our theme this year is "Air Racing: Where it’s all about the Pilots". OK, there are gorgeous airplanes too and fabulous scenery and … well, you get the idea.
Arthur T. Mott Realty is again a Gold Sponsor for the John Dawson Division of the Marion Jayne Air Race as well as funding the Arthur T. Mott Library of Loggers. This technology will be in each aircraft and improves timing and scoring. Arthur’s perennial sponsorship is a generous tribute to his love of racing. By the way, we are looking for a pair of folks with Excel knowledge, a laptop with lots of memory and storage, an airplane and IFR capability to fly along and score the races so if you are interested, let me know.
Mac S. Speed of Electronics International, Inc. is a Silver Sponsor for the first time so look for the hot link to his web site under the sponsor tab at www.us-airrace.org or go directly their now at www.buy-ei.com.
12/31/05 Oshkosh Made Easy
Happy almost New Year. Our entry kit is posted on the web site http://www.us-airrace.org/entrykit.html just in time to start off 2006 right. You did make a resolution to fly more, didn’t you? This is your invitation to join us for the U.S. Air Race 2006 events. Our theme this year is "Air Racing: Where it’s all about the Pilots". OK, there are gorgeous airplanes too and fabulous scenery and … well, you get the idea. We have a lot of fun and this year, we could call this Oshkosh made easy as well. Here is why.
The Cessna Owners Organization and the Pipers Owners Society (in alphabetical order) have a Convention and Fly-in that dovetails with EAA’s AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The race teams will arrive in time to enjoy that event and take advantage of their excellent and easy transportation to AirVenture. So if you were planning on going to Oshkosh anyway, here is a great chance to have a huge amount of fun in getting there. By the way, we have been assured that pilots of all aircraft types will be welcome. Beech Bonanza owner and 2005 Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy winner, Marv Guthrie, plans to join the fun.
We hope that you'll join with us too and enjoy the fabulous camaraderie that develops with shared flying adventures. You can fly one, two or all three of our races: the exciting cross country 1800-mile Marion Jayne Air Race from Hutchinson, Kansas to Wisconsin, the Hutchinson 300-mile Air Race in Kansas and/or the Wisconsin 300-mile Air Race in Wisconsin. A cruise at your own speed division is also available. These fabulous flying events will be held July 16-23, 2006. Participants will receive custom trophies, cash, completion plaques, prizes and the all-important bragging rights.
Teams may compete in cruise or speed divisions in the 1800-mile Marion Jayne Air Race. Custom divisions (such as, turbo or all RVs) are possible for five or more teams. The events are open to all qualified pilots and planes. Flying will be done under Federal Aviation Regulations in daylight, VFR conditions of 1000’ and 3 miles or better. Race planes are individually handicapped which makes each event a test of flying skills. Our goals are to promote the sport of General Aviation and the events’ proceeds will benefit aviation endeavors. As always, participants have the opportunity to dedicate an aviation scholarship. Scholarships will be distributed evenly among men and women and awarded by drawings in Kansas and Wisconsin.
We are excited to bring you a projected route abounding in scenic splendor and clear of nearly all special use air space. The route begins in Hutchinson located in the middle of Kansas on the Arkansas River. You’ll follow the river valley towards the eastern plains of Colorado and then fly north in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains to the scenic Badlands and the edge of the Black Hills in South Dakota’s Rapid City where teams may remain overnight and see the fabulous evening Mt Rushmore presentation. Then it is off to Montana and the Missouri River. Turning east, you’ll follow the Missouri River a bit until it is joined by the Yellowstone River to create beautiful Lake Sakakawea. Still heading east, you’ll cross North Dakota and Minnesota just south of the boundary waters and then turn southeast and fly just over the tip of lake Superior and finish in mid-Wisconsin. As in the past, legs are about 300 sm and with an easy two-legs-a-day strategy, you’ll land in time for all th
e fun on the ground. The free entry kit is at www.us-airrace.org and has more details.
The renaissance-style 300-mile races are where pilotage and precise flying reign supreme as teams compete with only a compass and sectional charts for navigational aids across a mystery route. The Marion Jayne Air Race is where the full panel is used with weather and aircraft knowledge being added to the competitive equation. After 3 days and 1800 miles of cross country flying, teams will be honored awards. The results of the three national races will be combined to determine the winner of the stunning Marion Jayne Perpetual Trophy.
The U.S. Air Race, Inc. was founded by famed race pilot Marion Jayne. Jayne is the only U.S. pilot to have raced twice around the world. She placed second in the 1992 race and won the FAI Gold Medal in 1994. Marion has been honored as one of the century's 100 Aviation Heroes along with the Wrights, John Glenn, Eileen Collins and others at the 2003 Centennial Celebration. Her personal success, her two races around the world, her life before flying were cited as well as her entrepreneurial spirit in founding 4 air races - three of which are still run annually. The 2006 National Air Races honor her memory and contributions.
Our ‘Safe, Fair and Fun’ catch phrase was coined at the 1995 inaugural event and characterizes how we work together as organizers and participants to have successful flights. Our teams have flown over 480,145 miles with a perfect safety record. For first-time participants a special briefing is held and new teams are given an experienced event buddy to make their rookie experience goes smoothly. Come join us for the fun flying, the camaraderie, the cruising and/or the competition. You’ll have hangar flying stories for years to come!
Wishing you Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Pat
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer
President, U.S. Air Race, Inc.
National Air Races and Air Cruise
www.us-airrace.org]]>