THE ANNUAL PALMS TO PINES AIR RACE FOR WOMEN -

GENERAL BACKGROUND

The Annual Palms to Pines Air Race for women starts from Santa Monica Airport on Friday morning at 9:00 a.m., and will end at Bend Airport, Bend, Oregon before the 12:00 noon deadline on the following day The two en route timed fly-bys are at Merced Airport and at Red Bluff Municipal Airport. Redmond Airport also is a timed fly-by. Everyone will remain overnight at Red Bluff. Flying will be done only during daylight hours and in good weather.

It is expected that about 45 “stock model” (family-type) airplanes ranging from 100 to 600 horsepower and carrying close to a total of 100 women pilots will enter. Pilots from six western states usually enter.

Entries must hold at a minimum a private pilot certificate, and any passengers must be at least 16 years old and female. Membership in an aviation organization is not required.

California will have the most entries, but Oregon and Washington each will have several, followed by a few from other states.

The Palms to Pines Race is considered to be the most fun of all air races today. The race is sponsored by the Los Angeles Palms Chapter of the Ninety-Nines?, International Organization of Women Pilots. Race chairwoman is Claire Walters of Santa Monica, CA. Race Committee members are Robin Becker of Manhattan Beach, CA, Cecilia Weldon of Santa Clarita, CA, and Rikki Barton of Arleta, CA.

Some pilots will be entering their first race with new private pilot certificates in hand, while others are veteran race pilots with thousands of hours logged as flight instructors, corporate pilots, or airline flight officers. Many work in the non-aviation business section and fly for the fun and adventure of it.

While the race is fun – ask anyone who has raced in it – it is also a means to test and improve the flying skills of each team. Accurate navigation, weather knowledge, well coordinated teamwork and general flying skills, as well as a clean airplane in fine mechanical condition, all have a part in doing well.

Several other chapters of the Ninety-Nines? participate in making this event a success. The San Joaquin Valley Chapter handles Merced Airport timing and hospitality, Mt. Shasta Chapter and Shirley Leatherwood will do the timing at Red Bluff, and the Central Oregon Chapter is in charge at Bend, Oregon.

The first five place winners will divide $500 cash and will receive formidable trophies (the race is famous among women pilots not for the cash, but for its high level of sportsmanship and fun!). Trophies are given to the next five places and to winning teams in many other categories, such as the best time in each of the three race legs, family teams, and the humorous “Scenic Award” trophy presented to the team who finishes in last place! Presentations will be made at the Awards Breakfast in Bend on Sunday morning.


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