By Nick Edwards

Last month, an impressive 115 women representing 51 teams took to the skies, all with the aim of making their way to the winner’s circle. Each year, teams from across the country compete in the Air Race Classic, the nation’s only all-women’s cross-country race. The race dates back to 1977 and includes riders between the ages of 16 and 90.

The 2022 race was the first in-person race since 2020, appropriately themed “A Return to Tradition”. Last year’s race was remote and allowed female pilots to show off their flying skills from anywhere in the country. The route varies each year, but this year’s race took off from Lakeland Linder International Airport, Fla., in Polk County. This airport hosts the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo every year and is even home to the Southeast Regional Air Cargo Hub for Amazon, so it was the perfect place to start the 2022 course.

The teams took off June 21 at 8 a.m. and over the course of four days made their way to Terre Haute, Indiana. Women pilots in the Air Race Classic were only allowed to fly during the day, making overnight layovers at one of nine designated stops.

According to Air Race Classic Director Theresa White, “Standing airports must have a parallel taxiway, ramp or off-ramp parking to accommodate tie-down parking for approximately 50 aircraft. , nearby hotels and restaurants, sufficient fuel, maintenance, and a source of volunteers, such as as Ninety-Nines, Women in Aviation, or an EAA chapter.

Quickly traversing each of the checkpoints, most teams stayed together, stopping at night during the dark hours. By the end of the day on Friday, all teams had crossed the finish line at Terre Haute Regional Airport in Indiana. Flying Flashes, a team from Kent State University in Ohio, took first place.