Air Race Classic (ARC), a non-profit group that sponsors an annual all-women, amateur, cross-country air race, has opened registration for its fourth annual ARC Air Derby.
Designed to open air racing up to a wider audience, the Air Derby is a one-day flying proficiency event that highlights ARC basics: VFR flight with multiple legs, leg timing at designated points, and awards.
Either the pilot or co-pilot must be a certificated female pilot, however there’s a new twist for 2024: Co-ed participation is allowed, according to organizers.
Participants will have choice of the route, aircraft, team composition, and day to fly.
“The ARC Air Derby will provide an opportunity for pilots around the world to challenge their piloting, flight planning, and navigation skills and share their love of flying with other pilots in a fun event that promotes camaraderie and allows participants to share their skills with family and friends,” organizers said, adding cash prizes will be awarded.
The ARC Air Derby is a VFR flight flown during daylight hours on a single day between Sept. 27 and Oct. 10, 2024. The objectives are for each team to design a route that conforms to the ARC Air Derby Rules, estimate the time it will take them to fly that route, and then fly it as close to their estimated time as possible.
The derby will conclude with a virtual awards banquet where prizes will be awarded for the closest time estimates for each leg and the entire route.
Registration, which opens Aug. 15, is limited to 99 teams. Fee for a team, which includes the pilot and copilot, is $200. Additional teammates are $50 each. All fees must be paid by Sept. 12.
For more information: Derby.AirRaceClassic.org
Leave a Reply