ARC Air Derby is a One-Day Event to Test Precision, Planning, and Navigation

Organizers of the iconic annual Air Race Classic will soon be opening registration for their spin-off event, called the Air Derby. This so-called “Twist on Tradition” condenses the usual four-day, 2,000-mile odyssey into a one-day exercise in precision, planning, and navigation.

Registration opens on September 1, with flights allowed anytime between October 1 and 14… and yes, unlike the original event, it is open to both male and female pilots.

This race isn’t about blasting across half the country at full throttle; instead, pilots design their own five-leg routes. Each leg must run at least 65 nautical miles and include a mandatory landing point. Teams predict how long each segment will take, then try to fly as close to those estimates as possible. Speed demons will not take home the gold…the winners are those who can plan, stick to the plan, and avoid excuses when the winds don’t cooperate.

For decades, the Air Race Classic has been exclusively female, but the Air Derby is open to men as well. There is a catch, though: either the pilot or co-pilot still has to be a certificated female pilot or student pilot. So yes, male aviators can finally play, as long as they bring a lady on board (or vice versa).

Teams must have at least two people, with the pilot holding a sport pilot certificate or higher and at least 50 hours of PIC time in the type of airplane flown. Student pilots can also join in, as long as they have the right endorsements and a flight instructor willing to sign off on the fun. Eligible airplanes include certified or experimental aircraft under 12,500 pounds with enough range to cover the minimum leg lengths. The paperwork demands are predictable: current registration, annual or condition inspection, liability insurance, and a note that ARC is covered.

Registration costs $200 per team, with a $50 surcharge for every extra teammate you want to cram on board. The deadline is September 26 at noon Eastern, and the field is capped at 99 teams. Winners will be crowned at a virtual banquet later in October.

FMI: https://derby.airraceclassic.org/