News/Press Releases

Two Wichita women will compete in next week's Air Race Classic, an annual 2,716-mile airplane race across the U.S.

Tessa Roberts, a Bombardier Learjet engineer, and Robin Laws, a flight instructor and airline transport pilot, will fly their Cessna 182 from Prescott, Ariz., to Daytona Beach, Fla., beginning Tuesday.

Roberts, who has a commercial pilot's license, will officially serve in the left seat of their airplane — call sign, Classic 58 — even though it's her first time competing in the race.

"I'm so excited. Nervous. But I've got a pro here who's done it twice," she said.

This is Laws' third time in the race, which this year marks its 40th anniversary.

Laws said she competed in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, her team placed 15th. In 2007, her team did not finish because of weather, she said.

"Our goal is to inspire others, especially young women, to dare to dream and to follow their dreams in aviation," Laws said.

This year's race includes 55 teams comprising 130 women pilots.

They will pilot their normally aspirated piston airplanes across 12 states in four days, flying under visual flight rules and during daylight hours.

Laws said they are sponsored by the Kansas Chapter of Ninety-Nines and the Women in Aviation International Air Capital City Chapter.

They also have a crowdfunding campaign to offset their costs of participating in the race.