Jahn, Foy Celebrate Their First Win After 14 Years 

Aero-News has learned that a Mooney M20R Ovation2 GX piloted by Mooney Aircraft CEO Gretchen Jahn and teammate Carol Foy won the 2006 Air Race Challenge.

Jahn and Foy (above, Jahn is at left) covered the 2,400 mile transcontinental course -- from Mesa, AZ to Menominee, MI between June 20 and 22, recording an average speed more than 21 knots higher than their handicapped speed of 174.23 knots. They beat their nearest competitors in the field of 37 aircraft by 1.51 knots.

Flying in her 14th Air Race Classic, this marks the first time Ms. Jahn won the event, and her sixth finish in the Top Ten. Her previous best -- second place -- came in both 1994 and 1995, with teammate Chris Bentley.

This was also Jahn's second year piloting her Mooney Ovation2 GX, N366GJ, in the race. Last year, she and teammates Ruby Sheldon and Julie Filucci finished tenth over a round robin course, which originated and terminated at Purdue University Airport in West Lafayette, IN.

Ms. Foy was also flying in her 14th Air Race Classic, having recorded three previous Top Ten finishes.

"This event is one of the highlights of my year every year, but this year will obviously be a memorable one," said Ms. Jahn, who was named Mooney's Chief Executive Officer in October of 2004.

Jahn, who is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Air Race Classic, added "winning the race is a special experience -- that is, after all, the goal we're all out to accomplish each year -- but I wouldn't miss this opportunity to get together with and compete alongside these women.

As winners, Ms. Jahn and Ms. Foy will split the $5,000 First Place cash prize.

The Air Race Classic traces its origins to the original Women's Air Derby in 1929. Following World War II, it was sponsored by the All Women's Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR), and known popularly as the Powder Puff Derby.

The race was held annually until 1977, when the AWTAR discontinued the event. The Air Race Classic, Ltd. (ARC) stepped in to continue the tradition of transcontinental speed competition for women pilots and staged its premier race. The Air Race Classic was reincorporated in 2002 into the Air Race Classic, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.

FMI: www.mooney.com, www.airraceclassic.org