40th Annual Palms to Pines Air Race Aug 14-16th:

Thursday morning we left for Santa Monica from Lake Havasu about 8:30am. It was slow going, with 15 knot headwinds and lots of haze and smoke as we got close to Palmdale. Santa Monica had been reporting about 3 miles in haze and 900 foot overcast, but cleared up enough for us to get in by 10:30. We landed and taxied over to park with all the other race planes. We were met by CJ and Madison, who did our airplane inspection and sent us in to have our pilot info checked with the race committee.

We checked into our hotel and walked down to Quiznos for lunch. There we met up with Fran and Judith from Washington state, who are flying the race for the first time. We had a pilot briefing at 5pm with all the race pilots, given by Claire Walters, who founded this race 40 years ago. As always, we met the most interesting gals, at our table during the briefing we sat with GiGi and Deb, GiGi remembered Tookie from the first time she raced which was in 2002 (Tookie won that year!) Another gal, Elsbeth, re-introduced herself to Tookie, reminding her that Tookie had given her her checkride in 2004.

Dinner was a buffet with chicken, salmon, and pasta followed by raffle prizes. We were happy when our arch rival, Dene, won the case of oil! She'll have to tote that all the way to Oregon....

More to follow tomorrow..

YouTube Video

Photo Album View pictures of our events, fundraisers, and Fun

Schedule of Events

Thursday

9am to 1pm     Registration at the Administration Bldg & Inspection

Noon               IMPOUND DEADLINE

5pm                 Mandatory Pilot's Briefing for all participants

7pm                 Take-off Banquet and Team Introductions

Friday

7am                 Transportation to SMO

7:30-8:30am     Obtain current weather briefing

8:45am             Pilots to planes for engine start

9am                  TAKE-OFF

5pm                   Deadline to arrive/finish at Red Bluff

6pm                   Dinner and shopping on your own

Saturday

7-7:30am            Transportation to Airport/WX briefing

8am                    Begin Take-Offs

9am                    Take-offs must end by 9am

Noon                  Deadline to finish at Bend

Sunday

7am                   Breakfast at Ameritel Inn

8am                    Awards

9am                    Transportation to airport

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Scholarships:

-