Silver City pilots Caroline Baldwin and Linda Pecotte will take to the skies on June 19 to take on the challenge of the 2012 Air Race Classic. The race is an annual all-women-pilot air race in which pilots race against their own best speed in the plane of their choice. There are, however, limitations: each aircraft must be a “stock” model (no experimental) and have its handicap speed identified with a check-pilot. The race heritage harkens back to the days of the “Powder Puff” Derby, which was started when lady pilots were not allowed to race against the gentlemen. In today's race, the gentlemen are often seen at the final leg cheering their women on.

The Baldwin Family Flyers - Caroline Baldwin, her daughter Lydia of Ft. Collins, CO, and granddaughter Cara of Morgantown, WV – will be racing a Piper Cherokee.   While Cara just completed grade ten and is a new student pilot, Caroline is racing for the eighth time and Lydia for the third.   In 2009 and 2011, Caroline and Lydia raced together with their friend Terry Carbonell of Alva, FL.

The West Wings team, racing a Cessna 182, includes Linda Pecotte, returning for her sixth Air Race Classic, and first-time racer Allyn Auck from the Lake Havasu City, Arizona area.   Linda has placed twice in the top 5 in the past few races.    

This year’s race starts in Lake Havasu City and includes nine legs covering 2682 miles.  The first leg is from Lake Havasu City to Gallup, NM.   The race continues on to Hereford, TX before turning north.  The race route goes as far north as Sault Ste. Marie, MI before turning south to terminate in Batavia, OH.    Each plane is timed at the beginning and end of the nine race legs.  The fifty-five teams preparing for this year’s Air Race Classic include a formidable field of Piper, Cessna, Cirrus, and other aircraft.   For more information or to follow the race progress, see  www.airraceclassic.org .