About The ARC

Air Race Classic, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to:

• Encouraging and educating current and future women pilots
• Increasing public awareness of general aviation
• Demonstrating women's roles in aviation
• Preserving and promoting the tradition of pioneering women in aviation

The ARC fulfills its mission in many ways, with the culmination being our annual cross-country air race. Women of all ages, backgrounds and professions, flying a wide variety of airplanes, continue the tradition of women's air racing. Racers arrive a few days prior to the start of the race for pilot briefings and airplane inspections. The actual air race is four days, with every team taking off in order, 30 seconds apart. After the takeoff, teams strategize on how many legs of the race to fly each day, and which stop they are planning on spending the night along the route. Weather, wind, terrain and airplane performance all play a role, since the race must be flown in daylight hours. In some years, a team finishing the course in 2 days may be the winner. In other years, the team that arrives at the terminus just before the official deadline is the winner. The teams race against their own handicap, so whichever team beats their handicap speed by the most, wins. After 2 days of inspections, debriefings, and meetings with the scorer and the judges, the winners are announced at the final banquet.

Interested in more information? See the list of qualifications for entry, or the frequently asked questions. Or send an email to ARC General Information.