June 22 - Creston to Alliance

We have been plagued with bad weather. We came out of Iowa City at noon yesterday, got as far as Creston, IA, and put down for the night as the rain intensified. Today we were finally able to depart Creston at 12:30, when the weather cleared to marginal VFR. We had showers and low ceilings for the first 50 miles. The winds were quite strong, and so were the bumps. We made it into Kearney, NE where we re-fueled. We still had head winds from there into Alliance, NE but at least the bumps and clouds were gone.Classic Racer 23 is on the ground in Alliance, NE. Tomorrow morning we finally will start the race. We hope to do 3 legs. There are at least two other teams here tonight, so we are not alone.

June 20, 2011 - A day of briefings and safety meetings

The start of the Air Race Classic has been delayed to Wed, June 22. Start has been moved to Alliance, NE. Teams are on their own to get to Alliance by Noon on Wed for the start of the race. Meanwhile, we sit here in Iowa City awaiting severe thunderstorms and possible high winds and tornadoes.

Earlier today we briefed the 10 flybys, now reduced to 6.  The weather brief was stressful, with a line of tornadoes approaching Iowa City from the west. The safety meeting, a Wings seminar, stressed avoiding get-there-itis. So now we need to re-group and re-plan. Stay tuned.

June 18 - Girl Scouts at Iowa City airport

Barb and I participated in the Girl Scout aviation day. Our role - using chalk, draw an airport complete with tower, windsock, runway w/markings, compass rose, taxi way, ramps, etc. Then brief groups of scouts (150 total, in 4 successive groups) on the meaning of the markings and features. Caroline Baldwin did a great job on the briefings. Then we lined the girls up and had them request clearance to taxi, do a run-up, and take off. Caroline even discussed the relationship of wind to the assigned runways.
Last evening, we had a great barbque dinner at the hanger party, and met some of the locals.

ARC 2011 - we arrive in Iowa City

Barb and I flew from Kalamazoo to the race start at Iowa City yesterday. The weather was perfect - cool, slightly overcast but we could see forever. Made it in just under 3 hrs. We practiced our navigation and team skills enroute. It was a good flight. Last night we went to the early arrivals party at the children's museum. What fun! They have a whole wall of "simulators" that run MS sim, and are little wood planes you can sit in. Today we will work with the local Girl Scouts, istructing them about aviation. Tonight we attend the Hanger Party.

2011 Air Race Classic

Cherokee Chicks prepare for the 2011 race from Iowa City, IA to Mobile, AL.