Air Race Classic! DAY 3

Day 3

The Gulf of Mexico! We made it!

We had a leisurely start to the morning- not super early, but turns out just on time. Since we only had 2 legs left we didn't want to depart at 6:30 AM but we got to the airport sometime around then and preflighted the airplane. We did our flyby with low ceilings (but not that low) but after we got about 1 miles out the ceiling dropped below VFR minimums! There was no forecast for that so several teams coming in from Kirksville actually got stuck circling above the airport while they were on the clock. Most of the way down to Gadsden, AL was hazy but we had a tailwind and there was one other racer flying near us. At Gadsden we got fuel and took a chill pill since there was a big storm brewing around Fairhope, AL (the final destination). We kept monitoring the weather and mid morning we saw our chance to go and took it. There was a break up in the storm system and we had a little bit of a headwind but not too bad. I flew from Union City to Gadsden and then Maggie flew from Gadsden to Fairhope.

Fairhope, AL ARC 2015 Terminus!

Nearby Fairhope there were several military training areas and most of the time they are not active or there is minimal traffic. But we happened to see two small military jets (T-36s) pass above us. We were super excited to get closer and closer to the finish! When we came in to do our fly by we were the only racers in the pattern (there were a couple about 20 miles behind us). On the ground however, were 2 or 3 charter planes waiting to take off. But they nicely let us fly over and congratulated us! It was quite fun and exciting. We passed the timing line and came in to land and taxied to our parking spot. WE MADE IT!

We unpacked our plane, tied it down and handed in our keys. It was now impounded! Which means you can't go to it until the end of the banquet when you get your keys back. We were so excited to be done and finish in 3 days instead of 4. It was a wild ride full of stress, quick thinking, fun, and excitement.

Parking spot in Fairhope, AL

Stay tuned for more!