Ohio State Air Race Classic Team

Two students stand with an airplane in front of the Ohio State airport

The Women in Flight student organization established the first Ohio State Air Race Classic team in 2017 and have been competing regularly since. The race course for this women's cross-country air race changes each year and the contestants are given four days, flying VFR in daylight hours, to reach the terminus. Each airplane is assigned a handicap speed – and the goal is to achieve an actual ground speed as far over the handicap speed as possible. The pilots are thus given the leeway to “play the elements”. Holding out for better weather, winds, etc., and the objective is to fly the "perfect" cross-country flight. For more information visit the Air Race Classic website.

History 

Women's air racing started in 1929 with the Women's Air Derby. Twenty pilots raced from Santa Monica, CA to Cleveland, OH, site of the National Air Races.  The Air Race Classic follows a different route every year. The race route is chosen to present challenges to the racers, provide a variety of learning opportunities, and yet be within the endurance range of the slowest airplanes. Racers will experience changes in terrain, weather, winds, and airspace as they fly 2,600+ miles.

Sponsorship

Each year, the Women in Flight ARC team operates on a budget of about $7,000. The team depends on sponsorships and donations to compete. The funds go towards aircraft fuel, registration fees, and hotels during the race. Donations of any amount are very much appreciated and can be made through the websites listed in the right hand column.

Contact Information

Women in Flight President: Allie Belafsky - belafsky.1@osu.edu

Advisor: Shannon Morrison - morrison.413@osu.edu

 

Race results

  • Racers: Allie Belafsky and Maddie Blackford
  • Route: Grand Forks, North Dakota to Homestead, Florida
  • Finish: 2nd place, Electronic Data Monitoring Aircraft (EDMA) class
  • News story: Click here

Donations and Support

Donations can be made to the Lady Buckeyes by visiting The Ohio State University Giving website.

If you would like to support the team in an alternate way or if an invoice is needed for your donation, please contact Saeesha Pimplikar at pimplikar.2@osu.edu or the Lady Buckeyes' advisor, Shannon Morrison, at morrison.413@osu.edu.