“The public is welcome!”
Air Race Classic 2025
Starting Line
Fairhope, Alabama
June 14 – 17, 2025
Has a little birdie told you yet?? There’s a BIG deal women’s aviation event flying in and out of Fairhope this week!
Let’s Go! Fairhope interviewed Air Race Classic Co-Chair Pam Caudill to get both high-flying and ground-level details of this epic annual event with it’s first starting line takeoff in Baldwin County, Alabama:
History
‘This event actually started in 1929 with the Women’s Air Derby with participants including Amelia Earhart and Jackie Cochran.”
“Since the 1970’s, it’s been called the ARC, or Air Race Classic. It’s an annual, all women, cross country event.”
“As a bit of history, ten years ago, Fairhope was the finish line for this event. The ARC and the racers that year were so impressed with the town, its citizens and warm hospitality that the ARC approached the Fairhope Airport several years ago about becoming the starting line. These races are planned several years in advance.”
Pilots
- All women
- Coming from across the USA
- Some are professional pilots
- Others are collegiate teams (18 collegiate teams this year)
- All ages
“You can get your private pilot’s license at age 16, so we have late teenage-age pilots all the way to individuals who have professionally flown for their careers and are now in their 60’s and 70’s.
“Some of the pilots have been to Fairhope before in 2015 when Fairhope was the finish line. For others, it will be their first time in the community.”
“A Fairhope mother and daughter team are competing this year. Misty Dyas, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and founder of Fountain of Youth Aesthetics will be flying along with her daughter, Ivy Steiner, a Freshman at Auburn studying aviation management.”
Planes
- Airplanes with at least 100 horsepower, not more than 600 horsepower
- Varying models of Cessna, Piper, Mooney and other types of single engine, piston-powered aircraft.
Race Logistics
“This is a strategic visual flight rule event, meaning the pilots can only fly during daytime using visual flight references, note there is not nighttime flying.”
There are 41 teams participating.
Some teams have two pilots and others have three.
3 Race Classes
- Competition
- Intercollegiate
- Non-Competition
Local Logistics
“The bulk of the racers are coming into town this Thursday and Friday, June 12 and 13. Everyone must be in by 10 AM on Saturday, June 14.”
“Pilots will be engaged in briefings, but will be able to explore the town, eat, drink, and shop. Many Fairhope merchants have offered discounts to the racers.”
“The ARC approached the Fairhope Airport Authority who agreed to be the start of the event. The City of Fairhope has been a tremendous supporter in bringing this event to the community.”
“Dave Friedel, the Fairhope Airport Manager and Pam Caudill, a member of the Airport Advisory Counsel, are the co-chairs for this event. They and over 50 volunteers have organized this event. A shout out too to the Airport’s new Fixed Base Operator, Flightline First, Fairhope for their support and logistical management concerning airport operations.”
Preparing for Takeoff
“In preparation for the start of the race, 8 AM Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the plans will be ranked and grouped for takeoff.”
“There are several meet-and-greet events scheduled for community participation.”
“The planes will be off-limits due to security requirements, however the public is welcome to meet the pilots prior to Tuesday at the scheduled events. There is also a public watch area located to the West-side of the fence at the Fairhope Airport where the community can watch them take off.”
Strategy
“The route is 2400 statute miles traveling from the Gulf crossing the continental divide to the Canadian border.”
“The duration of the race is June 17 – 20, 2025.”
“From the starting airport of Fairhope, Alabama, the next stop is Starkville, Mississippi. There are other stops along the way to the terminus airport, Spokane, Washington, however they don’t have to stop at each location.”
“To get there is a strategic race, so the pilots will make stop decisions based upon their type of airplane and consumption of fuel.”
“They can only fly during the day.”
“Pilots will be in radio contact with each airport. Flights will be recorded by volunteers by time and tail number via a visual flyover at each airport.”
Collegiate Teams
“There are 18 collegiate teams this year. Two are from Auburn. Of these two teams, both have three pilots. Four of the pilots will be racing in their first-ever ARC and two are flying in their second ARC event. Both Auburn teams are flying Cessna Skyhawks 172s.”
Events & Public Participation
“The public is welcome!”
“The ARC is a nonprofit organization, and there is an educational component to the event. In Fairhope, this will take place on Saturday in conjunction with the Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama. You don’t have to be a member of the Girl Scouts to participate, but you do have to register in advance. It’s $10 to participate in the educational program.”
Saturday, June 14
Girl Scout Aviation Day at the ARC
12:30 – 3 PM
H.L. Sonny Callahan Airport, Fairhope
Educational event for students ages 8+ and adult caregivers in conjunction with the Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama. Participants do not need to be a member of the Girl Scouts to participate, but registration is required.
This event is limited to 40 participants.
Registration Deadline: June 11, 2025
Student Price: $10
Register: girlscoutssa.org/en/sf-events-repository/2025/aviation-day-at-the-air-race-classic.html
Participants will work hands-on with aviators to learn about forces of flight, navigation, weather, equipment, aviation careers, and more.
Special guests include Mobile-based U.S. Coast Guard instructor pilot, Katrina McLeod, who flies the CASA HC-144 Ocean Sentry.
For more information or questions email customercare@girlscoutssa.org.
Saturday, June 14
Racers Welcome Party ’25
6 – 8 PM
H. L. Sonny Callahan Airport
H L Sonny Callahan Airport and the City of Fairhope invites all racers, officials, volunteers, and guests to relax during an evening of casual celebration.
Menu will be a traditional southern barbecue with pulled pork, brisket, mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, and peach cobbler.
Beverages will include sweet and unsweetened tea, assorted soft drinks/water, wine, and mocktails.
Click here to view ticket information – See Step 1
Sunday, June 15
Start Take-Off Banquet ’25
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Fairhope Civic Center
H L Sonny Callahan Airport invites all racers, officials, and guests to celebrate the start of the 48th Annual Air Race Classic.
Featuring a special “Clocktail Hour” sponsored by Abingdon Watches. The winning team from each class will each be awarded an Abingdon watch, which will be on display.
Clocktail Hour: Enjoy specially themed mocktail and cocktail drinks along with delicious summer fruits, artisanal cheeses with crackers and wafers, and conecuh sausage bites with a creole mustard aioli.
Enjoy a delicious buffet meal.
- Caprese salad – pearl mozzarella, heirloom grape tomatoes, bail, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic reduction on a bed of mixed greens
- Sliced Beef tenderloin or steak churrasco
- Baked Red Gulf Snapper with lemon garlic butter
- Potatoes Dauphine – individual potato souffles
- Green Beans
- Summer Succotash made with fresh corn, lima beans, and tomatoes
- Strawberry and White Chocolate Bread Pudding
- Beverages – Sweet/Unsweetened Tea, Assorted soft drinks/water, wine and mocktails
Please note any food allergies/restrictions on the order form.
Click here to view ticket information – See Step 1
Tuesday, June 17
8 AM
Location: H. L. Sonny Callahan Airport
8600 CR-32, Fairhope, AL
Come watch the pilots take off from the west-side of the fence at the H.L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport in Fairhope, Alabama!
The public is invited.
Coming from Greeno Road, enter via the first driveway entrance on the west-side of the facility.
Contact information:
Attention Pam Caudill / Dave Friedel, Start Co-Chairs
Let’s Go! Fairhope sends a special “Thank you” to Pam Caudill for her time and information regarding details of this exciting event.
Images and content above sourced from Air Race Classic, Pam Caudill, and the Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama.
This article was written and produced by Let’s Go! Fairhope, your diverse events-related newsletter, calendar and website resource for Fairhope, Alabama.
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