Dispatch from P14, Holbrook, Arizona: Looking down off my wing, I can see the ramp is nearly empty. Most of the race planes have already left. Gone home. I know I’m slow, but geez, couldn’t the other racers have at least waited until the last plane landed before they called it a day? I key the […]
Sport Air Racing League
Air Racing from the Cockpit: Expect the Unexpected
Dispatch from KTYQ, Indianapolis, Indiana: Holy crap my airspeed is good. I’m pushing the yellow arc. In level flight. The two latest speed mods are paying off in spades. I’m 600 feet up, low enough that the lush, vibrant greens of the Indiana countryside seem to be flashing by beneath my wings. High above, and to […]
Air Racing From The Cockpit: A long flight to a short race (Part 2)
See Part 1 here. Dispatch from KEPH, Ephrata, Washington: I smell burning French toast. Yeah. There’s a hint of cinnamon mixed into the strong, pungent odor that’s filling the cockpit. This can’t be good. I scan my limited engine instruments. Nothing is out of the ordinary. My oil pressure is normal. My oil temp is good. […]
Air Racing From The Cockpit: A long flight to a short race
DAY ONE: Dispatch from north of Monument Valley: 7,200 feet MSL, speed 55 mph… It’s too hot. My plan is shot to hell. Race 53 is hanging on her prop and she can’t climb any higher. Damn! It’s all I can do to stay in the air above the rugged desert. Below, in hues of red, pink, […]
Air Racing From the Cockpit: An ethical dilemma
Dispatch from KIYA, Abbeville, Louisiana: As I turn off the taxiway for the hold-short line, I glance back over my left shoulder to watch the parade of Aeronca 7 Champions move forward. Each a different shade of yellow and red, with their stubby noses high in the air, their tails low, they look like a pack […]
Air Racing from the Cockpit: An unexpected pair of victories
Dispatch from KGYI, Sherman, Texas: I’m sweating. Figuratively speaking. The other plane is right behind me. I strain my neck first left then right, looking out my back windows trying to spot him. I don’t see him, but I know he’s got to be right on my twin tails. The tower cleared his takeoff as soon […]
Air Racing from the Cockpit: Speed kings
Dispatch from T74, Taylor, Texas: I’m singing out loud, off-key, in the cockpit. I can do this because I’m alone in the plane. I’m not normally the singing type, but I’m in a buoyant mood. First, after a weather delay, we’re finally on the race course. Second I’m flying. And third, my airspeed indicator is showing […]
Air Racing from the Cockpit: Start your engines
Dispatch from KOCH, Nacogdoches, Texas: My left hand is wrapped tightly around the yoke, my right hand grasps the windscreen support bar, and I’m holding on for dear life. No, I’m not going that fast. In fact, I’ve had to slow down to keep my race plane out of the yellow arc. I’m getting pounded to […]
Sunshine Express 400 racers make their way to Lakeland
The second annual Sunshine Express 400 ran Sunday, April 3. A strong tailwind helped the 17 racers set fast times on the course from Greenwood County Airport (KGRD) in South Carolina, to Multrie (KKGR), Georgia, then to Winter Haven’s Gilbert Field (KGIF). The 400 nautical mile race was organized by 71-year-old Pat Purcell, who was […]