Blonde Bombers Team: 2024 Air Race Classic

WE'RE FLYING THE 2024 AIR RACE CLASSIC

The ARC is an all-female air race with roots dating back to 1929. From the earliest days of the Women's Air Derby through today, the race has been an opportunity for women pilots to display their skill, cultivate self-confidence, learn from one another, and build enduring friendships.

It is the ultimate test of piloting skill and aviation decision making. From its early beginnings, the ARC has been dedicated to:

• Encouraging and educating current and future women pilots

• Increasing public awareness of general aviation

• Demonstrating women's roles in aviation

• Preserving and promoting the tradition of pioneering women in aviation

The 47th annual ARC will be held from June 18 - 21, 2024. This year's race route spans 2,269 nautical miles starting in Carbondale, IL and ending in Loveland, CO.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Amanda and Alaina will be flying at least 32 hours to get to and through the race in a Cessna 172. We expect the full cost of the race to be about $12,000, so we're setting a goal of raising 50% with the help of friends and family.

We need your support to help cover expenses such as aircraft rental, fuel, lodging, meals, and more. Every little bit will help us along our way, and we're truly grateful for anything you decide to give.

ABOUT US

Amanda and Alaina met through the Colorado chapter of the 99's and have become good friends who love to fly together, learn from one another, and are passionate about aviation and empowering women in the industry. Flying in the Air Race Classic is an opportunity for both women to refine essential skills such as navigation, route planning, weather analysis, resource management, and more. We're excited for the growth we will experience through this event and how it will contribute to our personal and professional development.

Amanda started her aviation journey inspired in part by her late father. She earned her Private Pilot certification in July 2021 and is actively working on her Instrument rating as we prepare for the race. Amanda owns Leading Edge Aircraft Detailing and also works as an Aviation Maintenance Controller at Wheels Up Aviation at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (KBJC). She serves as Secretary on the Board of the Colorado 99's (a local chapter of the International Association of Women Pilots) and is aspiring to a long-term career in aviation. She brings detailed planning skills and a healthy dose of competitive spirit to our team.

Alaina was also inspired into aviation by her dad, who flew as a corporate Pilot for Lockheed Martin. She began flying in 2014 and earned her Private Pilot certificate in 2016. In 2021 she earned an Instrument Rating, which she said was much harder to achieve than her MBA in International Business Management. She has built a career as a Marketing leader for tech startups but wants to continue learning and growing in aviation for the sake of personal growth.

THE STORY BEHIND OUR NAME

In October 2023, we flew together to Wray, Colorado to participate in the Ian McBeth Foundation's annual pumpkin bombing competition. As the only female aviators in the competition, and facing steep competition that included back-country taildraggers and two big talkers named "Team Ramrod?", we began to strategize. Alaina would fly - she's got a laser-eye focus on the numbers, and Amanda would be our bomber since she's the most competitive (and willing to hang out of the window of a Cessna 172) !

We dropped a total of 3 pumpkins as the brackets progressed and teams were eliminated. The locals cheered on the female bombing team, and finally came the winning drop - only 14 feet away from the stock tank target. The Blonde Bombers secured a victory and have been proudly representing female aviators ever since!

Our victory was featured in the Wray County Gazette!