Purdue Air Race
Participating in the Air Race Classic for 20 years!
About Us
Air Race Overview
Purdue University puts forth a team of two women pilots and a ground crew to compete together in the Women's Air Race Classic. The normal association with any race is that the fastest wins. In the Air Race Classic however, there are many different types of airplanes with varying speed capabilities. The goal of the race is not to finish first. It is to beat your own airplane's "handicap" speed. It is a race more of brain then of brawn.
Pilots and Ground Crew
In the Air Race Classic,Purdue's team isn't just composed of pilots, but of a dedicated Ground Crew. The racers may get to fly across the country representing Purdue in the Air Race Classic, but the Ground Crew are the behind the scenes helpers Purdue's team could not succeed without. The Ground Crew keeps tabs on weather like convective activity throughout the race day. Together they do the best they can to be not only a respectable team, but a winning one.
Purdue's Air Race History
Amelia Earhart, a former Purdue staff member, began the air race tradition in 1929 when she entered into the very first Women's Air Derby, better known as the Powder Puff Derby. Purdue University's first official team was entered into the Air Race Classic in 1994. That makes this year’s race their 20th anniversary!
Our 2010 team, Lauren Steele & Allison Springer, was our most recent sucess placing 1st in the collegiate category and 3rd overall. Howeve,r in 1996 Jackie Battipaglia & Lauren Nicholson won the whole race. This year they hope to meet the standard they set and take home the bacon!