Taking off from Opa-Locka (OPF), Florida in their single-engine 1976 Cessna Cardinal (N7136X), they are the only team from the Miami area to participate in the 29th annual all-woman transcontinental Air Race Classic. The high-flying pilots are both career women and active in the community – Sonia Bortolin is an immigration attorney and Tamra Sheffman is a Realtor.

Individual and corporate sponsors are requested and promise “high” exposure for products and services, including logos on their plane, press coverage, flyers and brochure distribution at the stopping points along the route.

The annual event also gives pilots the opportunity to hone their skills while involving thousands of participants through sponsorship, ground and air assistance crews, time-keeping, officiating and as spectators.

“Pilots must ‘play the elements’ of altitude, favorable winds and clear blue sky while trying to make the perfect cross-country flight,” says Sheffman.

Two woman pilots comprise a team, flying VFR (Visual Flight Rules) in daylight hours for nearly 2,400 miles. Contestants have four days to fly over 8 states with designated nightly stop-overs and a circular route back to the starting point.

Each plane is assigned a handicap speed with the goal of having the actual ground speed as far over the handicap as possible. Handicaps are based on design and horsepower, with winners determined by how much they exceed their groundspeed handicap. Altitude, wind, pilot skill, weather, and aircraft condition are among the factors that influence the final score, with wise decision-making and good cockpit management key elements.

Twenty-eight years, 66,639 miles, and 1116 teams later, the Air Race Classic remains a venue for competitive flying. With dozens of aviatrix climbing into their cockpits and racing safely cross-country through the summer sky, the race is recognized for both its keen competition and camaraderie.

Air racers Tamra Sheffman and Sonia Bortolin are both instrument rated and will be flying out of Air Repair in Opa-Locka (OPF), Florida.

The total race distance of approximately 2400 miles includes stops at these designated airports:

LAF Purdue University, Lafayette, IN
LSE La Crosse Municipal, La Crosse, WI
BIE Beatrice Municipal, Beatrice, NE
BVO Bartlesville Municipal, Bartlesville, OK
DTN Shreveport Downtown, Shreveport, LA
ARG Walnut Ridge Regional, Walnut Ridge, AR
THA Tullahoma Regional / William Northern Field, Tullahoma, TN
UNI Athens – Albany, Ohio University – Snyder, Athens, OH
LAF Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana

Past Air Race Classic participant Louise Thaden’s wise observation that “…skills are developed, self confidence is increased and enduring friendships are made” is echoed by Blanche Noyes’ simple “Flying is ageless.”

For further information, sponsorship and contributions to this amazing flying adventure, contact Tamra Sheffman or Sonia Bortolin at tamras@thebeach.net or bortolin@bellsouth.net