Wednesday, May 31, 2017

LOCAL WOMAN PILOT TO COMPETE IN ANNUAL ALL-WOMEN CROSS-COUNTRY AIRPLANE RACE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2017

Contact:
Lin Caywood
301-471-9103
Lin.caywood@gmail.com


LOCAL WOMAN PILOT TO COMPETE IN ANNUAL ALL-WOMEN CROSS-COUNTRY AIRPLANE RACE
Lin Caywood flying for 7th time in Air Race Classic, oldest air race of its kind

Frederick, MD – Lin Caywood, a well-known local pilot, will take to the skies from June 20 to 23, 2017, in the 41st Air Race Classic (ARC), the oldest airplane race of its kind in the United States. She will be one of more than 112 women pilots from around the country and the world competing in this year's race, which begins in Frederick, MD, and ends in Santa Fe, NM.  This is the sixth year that Ms. Caywood has piloted her “Team 12 – Freakin Awesome” plane in the race and her seventh race overall.

This historic contest traces its roots to the 1929 Women's Air Derby, aka the Powder Puff Derby, in which Amelia Earhart and 19 other daring female pilots raced from Santa Monica, CA, to Cleveland, OH. That competition marked the beginning of women's air racing in the United States. Today, the ARC is the epicenter of women's air racing, the ultimate test of piloting skill and aviation decision-making for female pilots of all ages and from all walks of life.

“The Air Race Classic provides different challenges to me every year. I get to see parts of the country that I wouldn’t ordinarily see and I get to stretch my abilities related to mountain flying, windy conditions, weather planning and fuel planning. Best of all, it’s a chance to meet other amazing women pilots,” said Caywood, who hopes to beat her best performance in 2015 when she placed third overall.

Ms. Caywood, a mortgage banker by trade, bases her 2007 Cessna 182T at Frederick Municipal Airport. She has over 1,600 hours logged since she received her pilot certificate in 2003.  She gives back to the flying and local communities as an organizer or many award- winning women and children aviation awareness events held at the Airport and as the membership chair of the Sugarloaf Chapter of the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots. She also volunteers to fly patients to medical treatments with Patient Airlift Services. Caywood and the ARC was featured in a 2015 PBS Documentary titled “Beyond The Powder, The Legacy of the First Women’s Cross-Country Air Race” that compares the modern day race to the first women’s air race held in the US in 1929. You can also follow her adventures at www.99lin.shutterfly.com.

She and her race partner, Janet Davidson, will compete against approximately 52 teams, covering a 2,648-mile course from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the far northern reaches of the Continental United States to the high desert of New Mexico. The racers will have four days to fly from Frederick to Santa Fe, stopping in between at Coshocton, OH; Indianapolis, IN; Decorah, IA; Bemidji, MN; Spencer, IA; Abilene, KS; Ardmore, OK; and Plainview, TX.

The race will begin at 8 a.m. June 20 at Frederick Municipal Airport, with teams taking off one right
after another, 30 seconds apart. From there, the field will spread out as faster planes move to the head of the
pack. At each stop, teams will execute high-speed flybys over a timing line as they race against the clock. Faster
planes may cover the course in only two days; slower teams may not arrive at the Terminus, Santa Fe Municipal Airport, until moments before the arrival deadline at 5 p.m. on June 23.

Several events are planned to welcome the racers to Frederick and are open to the public starting on Thursday June 15; many are free to attend. Details can be found at www.Sugarloaf99s.org.

Because each plane receives a unique handicap, teams are racing against their own best time, not against one
another. This creates a level playing field, so slower planes can compete against faster aircraft on an equal
basis. Teams strategize to play the elements, holding out for better weather or seeking more favorable winds, to beat their handicap by the greatest margin. Official standings aren't determined until after the last team has crossed the finish line – the last arrival at the Terminus may, in fact, be the winner!

The ARC draws competitors of all ages, from teenagers to veteran pilots in their 80s, and from all walks of life, from college students to professional airline pilots to military veterans to teachers, writers, doctors and businesswomen. For some teams, the ARC is a family affair, with multiple generations competing together every year. For others, the ARC presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience parts of the country far from home. For all, it is a chance to engage in fierce competition while sharing their love of flying, expanding their knowledge and skill as pilots, and encouraging the next generation of fearless women to take to the air.

Prizes for the ARC are valued at more than $16,500 and include medallions, trophies and cash awards.

ABOUT THE AIR RACE CLASSIC

Air Race Classic Inc. is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with a mission of encouraging and educating current and future female pilots, increasing public awareness of general aviation, demonstrating women's roles in aviation, and preserving and promoting the tradition of pioneering women in aviation. For more information or to volunteer, go to airraceclassic.org. Follow Air Race Classic on Facebook. On Twitter: @2017ARC

ABOUT THE SUGARLOAF 99s


The Sugarloaf Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization based at Frederick Municipal Airport in Frederick, MD (KFDK). The Ninety-Nines is an international organization of approximately 5,000 licensed pilots from 35 countries. Our mission is to Promote world fellowship through flight, Provide networking and scholarship opportunities for women and aviation education in the community, and Preserve the unique history of women in aviation. We meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm either at Frederick Airport or in a nearby location for a business meeting and meet informally throughout the month to participate in various flying activities. Certificated women pilots, their spouses, partners, or guests, and any woman interested in exploring aviation opportunities are welcome to join us. For more information, go to sugarloaf99s.org. Follow the Sugarloaf99s on Facebook and on Twitter@Sugarloaf99s

Sunday, May 28, 2017

JOIN US FOR THE AIR RACE CLASSIC AT FREDERICK MUNICIPAL AIRPORT JUNE 15-20, 2017

Event Tickets are available at Click HERE to Order Event Tickets

EVENT SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY JUNE 15 - FRIDAY JUNE 16 :   WATCH THE RACERS ARRIVE                                           THROUGHOUT THE DAY AT FREDERICK MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (FREE)

THURSDAY JUNE 15 -  5 PM:  MEET THE RACERS AT ALIVE AT FIVE
                                                ON CARROLL CREEK
                                                                             (ADMISSION $5 AT VENUE - OVER 21)

FRIDAY JUNE 16 -  7 PM:  MEET THE RACERS AND MOVIE PRODUCERS AT AOPA                                              MOVIE NIGHT AT NATIONAL AVIATION COMMUNITY CENTER
                                            296 BUCHEIMER ROAD - FREDERICK AIRPORT  (FREE)

SATURDAY JUNE 17 - 12PM TO 3PM:  AVIATION YOUTH SUMMIT AT AOPA NACC                                                                (FREE SIGN UP HERE  -- RESERVATION REQUIRED)

SATURDAY JUNE 17 - 6 PM: WELCOME THE RACERS AT THE FREDERICK KEYS INCLUDING SPECIAL NATIONAL ANTHEM FLYOVER BY LOCAL PILOTS, TURBO THE FLYING DOG FIRST PITCH, FIREWORKS, AND MORE AT NYMEO FIELD
                                    (VIP RACERS PICNIC & SEATS $35 / GENERAL ADMISSION $5)

SUNDAY JUNE 18 - 5 PM: BANQUET HONORING THE RACERS
                                            AT DUTCH'S DAUGHTER RESTAURANT   ($50 PER GUEST)

TUESDAY JUNE 20 - 8 AM: WATCH THE RACERS DEPART AT FREDERICK AIRPORT                                                                                                                                      (FREE)

Saturday, March 25, 2017

GET YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS NOW!!!



Tickets are now on sale for our Raffle!
Help Support the Sugarloaf 99s!
Purchase your tickets at our new ONLINE STORE - click on the Sugarloaf Store tab!

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Sugarloaf and Friends Post Holiday Party

Always great to meet up with Sugarloaf Chapter members, DC Chapter members, and friends of the 99s! Thank you Belles' Sports Bar and Grill for providing a great spot for us to gather!

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Sugarloaf 99's To Host Self-Defense Class Jan 12, 2017 6 PM at Frederick Municipal Airport - AOPA NACC Building

Join the Sugarloaf 99s for a 20 minute women's self defense demo brought to you by the Clinch Academy (http://www.clinchacademy.com/). This is a great way to get to learn safety awareness and meet the pilots of Frederick Airport. $10 donation suggested (not required), all proceeds go towards the Air Race Classic, an all female cross country air race. Our normal meeting will follow. All ladies are welcome!

WHAT:              Women's Self Defense Class
WHEN:             Thursday, January 12, 2017 6 PM
WHERE:           AOPA Community Hangar on the Field at Frederick Municipal Airport (NACC Bldg)
                         296 Bucheimer Road; Frederick, MD 21701
WHY:                Safety Awareness!
COST:              FREE -- Donations gladly accepted
WHO:               Open to the Public - Please join us!