Delta Connection Academy in Sanford, Florida, is sponsoring two female pilots for the 2010 Air Race Classic, which took off June 22 and goes until June 25. Leah Hetzel, 20, and Sarah Morris, 21, both Jacksonville University aviation students, were selected to fly in the event; the academy has provided them with a Cirrus SR-20 for the historic race.
“We are thrilled to sponsor these two dynamic students and participate in the Air Race Classic. We are always working to advance student’s careers and experience,” said Paul Woessner. “Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Licensed Women Pilots is a privilege for Delta Connection Academy.”
Women’s air racing started in 1929 with the First Women’s Air Derby. Twenty pilots raced from Santa Monica, Calif., to Cleveland, Ohio, site of the National Air Races. Racing continued through the ‘30’s and was renewed again after World War II when the All Women’s Transcontinental Air Race, better known as the Powder Puff Derby, came into being. The race held its 30th, final and commemorative flight in 1977. The Air Race Classic, Ltd. then stepped in to continue the tradition of transcontinental speed competition for women pilots and staged its premier race. The Air Race Classic was reincorporated in 2002 into the Air Race Classic, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
“We are very excited about the opportunity to compete in the Air Race,” said Hetzel. “We are so grateful to Delta Connection Academy for helping to sponsor us.” “It truly is an amazing opportunity to be able to compete in the Air Race,” added Morris. “Words cannot express how honored I was to be selected by Delta Connection academy to fly the Cirrus that they are providing us.”
Delta Connection Academy is part of the Flight Training Acquisitions Group, which also includes Aerosim Technologies and AeroElite Training Services. It operates a fleet of more than 96 technically advanced aircraft and training devices, including its fleet of 33 new Cirrus SR-20 G2 and its Level 3 Advanced Aviation Training Devices. The Academy has trained students from 90 different countries and has placed pilots with more than 30 airlines worldwide.
For more information: DeltaConnectionAcademy.com
