This year’s Air Rally, sponsored by Hayward Air Rally, is set for a June 24 departure.
Celebrating its 52nd anniversary in 2016, the rally will depart from Hayward, California, (KHWD) to a new destination: Reno Nevada Stead Airport (KRTS).The Hayward Air Rally gives aviators a chance to test their flight planning, navigational skills, pilotage skills, and to have a fun day of flying.
The rally is an approximately 500-mile VFR cross-country challenge that is flown in two legs. This year the two legs are KHWD to Redding, Calif. (KRDD), and then KRDD to KRTS.
Organizers note the Air Rally is not a speed event or a race. Scoring is determined by fuel management, time management, and navigational skills.
All types of aircraft types are accepted, including Light-Sport Aircraft.
On Thursday June 23, pilots and their aircraft will check in at the Hayward Airport between noon and 4 p.m. Aircraft are then fueled and impounded.
After an aircraft is impounded and the pilot and crew have been checked in, they will be given a Rally Course POH, which contains a detailed description of the rally route and the procedures to follow while participating on the course.
With the Rally Course POH in hand, pilots and crews will begin to plan their route, including fuel and time. The pilot may plan to fly any route so long as she or he finds the check points in order as described in the Rally Course POH. Each aircraft will have a GPS tracking device on board.
June 24 is the day of the rally. At 8 a.m. pilots and crews have their pictures taken in front of each participating aircraft. Aircraft begin taking off one by one between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., weather permitting. There are usually one to two minutes between departing aircraft. The Rally Course POH has detailed instructions on departure from Hayward.
The first leg of the Rally course ends at KRDD where fuel usage is measured by a calibrated fuel truck and a lunch break can be had if desired. Timing for the first leg is done over a fixed spot a few miles before KRDD.
The second leg finishes at KRTS where fuel usage is again measured by a calibrated fuel truck. Timing for the second leg, like the first leg, is done over a fixed spot a few miles before KRTS.
Saturday, June 25, is the Air Rally banquet.
Rally proceeds this year go to fund two EAA Air Academy Scholarships. The scholarships are available to qualified applicants as defined on the Air Rally website. Applications for the scholarships will be accepted until Feb. 15.