PHEW, I'm a TERRIBLE blogger and I know, but please forgive me! After being out from work for 12 days I really had to focus on my students! Ok so I will backup to the days during the race..
Last time we talked, we were stuck in Columbus, NE all day! We ended up staying another night and split a hotel suite with Juliana and Heather from Jacksonville U and Susan and Marie Carastro, we had a blast! Our hotel had a 'happy hour' which had little finger foods and then we had dinner at a great bbq place next door. Finally the next morning we pushed on to Watertown, SD which we completed a quick fly-by there. We then stopped in Ashville, WI...absolutely GORGEOUS! It was very cool (63*!!) and so picturesque. We were very thankful we were able to get in because the week Prior, Wisconsin had flash flooding (a polar bear got out of the zoo!!) and much of the terrain we flew over was flooded. A little bit of weather was along our route to the next stop so we held in place a bit in Wisonsin and enjoyed company and great sausage and of course, cheese!
Then it was on to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan! Meaning we flew over the GREAT LAKES!! They were SO Spectacular, they almost appear tropical! The water was so clear and blue and you couldn't tell it wasn't the Ocean! By this point we really had racing down no problem and were able to enjoy the scenery! We chose to overnight in Sault Ste. Marie just because of the scenery and also the proximity to CANADA!! (We REALLY wanted to cross the bridge into Canada but neither of us had our passports with us! I know, bad pilots!). Flying to the airport and executing the fly by was interesting considering we had to avoid the prison that flanked the runway! We had dinner with several other teams at this funny restaurant with stuffed animals covering every inch of the room (and I don't mean teddy bears!). The next morning, we were ready to finish our LAST DAY of racing!
There was a bit of IFR along the route that made us apprehensive so we held back for a bit, but before too long, the wonderful sea fog started rolling in so we QUICKLY made our departure and fly-by, just minutes before the field went IFR!! (Vinson was freaking out the entire time....). Then is was along Lake Michigan (!!) to Benton Harbour, MI. Again, such a beautiful flyby coming in over the coast. But no time to stop, we had one more leg!!
The last leg was very smooth and dare I say easy? We had a few clouds to dodge (all VFR!) but made it into Batavia very easily, the 10th team to arrive! Immediately after shutdown we were pushed into a parking spot by the Sporty's Staff (we were still inside, like a chariot!!) and as soon as we stepped out of the airplane, Hal Shevers, the founder of Sporty's Pilot shop, was shaking our hand!! What a way to be greeted!
Once inside we completed our terminus paperwork and the lady at the desk said, "That man from the FAA wants to talk to you". *GULP* (we didn't do it we SWEAR!) Turns out, his dad was the Vice President from Louisiana Tech and he just wanted to congratulate us!!
Then it was time to DESTRESS!! We had just completed the Air Race!!! There was a Melt-down party at the hotel for the racers with more food (we were VERY well fed...) The next couple of days we had a few debriefings, but really we were able to relax. The highlights were Susan and Jessica Lowerys faceoff in basketball (tied!) and the Sportys birthday bash complete with fireworks, musicians, and a FABULOUS dinner put on by Hal in celebrations of Sportys 50th birthday and the race! Susan and Team 57 ended up on the town of Cincinatti that night at a neat hole in the wall place where we played darts and just destressed. I (Jessica V) was WIPED out at that point and nearly fell asleep!
When it came time to recieve our scores (not placement, just raw score)..We were thrilled to find out that we had recieved NO PENALTIES!! (unheard of for first time racers!!) I was so pleased for our first time.
Alright, what you'e all been wondering, the results!!
Sunday night, we attended the Awards Banquet which was a wonderful set up with silent auction and dinner. We knew already we weren't in the Top Ten due to we weren't inspected prior to the banquet, but we were still excited to see how we did! We DID recieve three leg prizes (meaning that we did the best on those legs) , two 4th places and one 1st!!!! We were given great little charms for those prizes, along with a little cash!
The top 10 and last places were announced and the sheets were placed at the front, a MOD descended on them but I was quick and had one of the first ones!!
We placed.....14th!!! Out of 49! For our first race it feels like such an accomplishment! But beyond what we placed, we put to use skills we have acquired over the short years, saw parts of the US we never imagined, and gained 30 hours of flight time.
We are SO thankful for your support, prayers, financial assistance, and encouragement!! We couldn't have done it without each and every one of you!! Be looking for a little note in the mail over the next couple of weeks!!
We are looking so forward to racing in the future, and telling our story to other young women in hopes they too will pursue adventure through aviation!!!
All our Love,
Team Jessica
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Well, here we are in Columbus Nebraska, waiting out some weather! Please excuse the sparse reports, yesterday was a WHIRLWIND!!!!
Our day began at 5, prepping ourselves, attending a final weather briefing, preflighting and then the TAKEOFF at 8! I cannot describe to you how smoothly everything during takeoff went! We, being number 57, were the last aircraft off the ground, I would say it was around 8:30?! Unreal how quickly everyone was up and out!
The flight over the mountains to Gallup New Mexico was NICE and bumpy! We had a decent tailwind and a fun time listening to all the girls chat on the air to air frequency. Air Traffic Control had a good time alerting us of the 'traffic' ahead. All we could say was, "We're aware!" First flyby went fairly smoothly, quickly! But smoothly.
Let me describe flybys. How the race is determined is based on your aircrafts handicap speed (the speed the plane tested at empty, full power, leaned, ect ect) compared to your speed during the actualy race. You want to have a faster groundspeed than your handicap. The leg speed is based on your leg time, from one timing line to another. The flybys are done at each stop airport, just a few hundred feet above the ground and at full steam ahead. They are an adrenaline rush! From there you are able to land and refuel without the clock still ticking and then you refly the timing line to restart your time.
Yesterday we did a flyby in Gallup and then stopped in Hereford, TX. It sure felt like West Texas, left gusty crosswind the whole way down! And DUSTY! And just a hint Hereford, GET SOME AIR FRESHENER! All the wind and stench aside, what a welcoming! A beautiful spread of food, lots of gifts and goodies and YELLOW ROSES! Love that Texas hospitality! From there it was on to Goodland, KS and overnight to Columbus, NE. We landed and our numbers on the back of the plane were COMPLETELY peeled off, so we had to remake those as quickly as possible! (I guess we were going just that fast!) We were fortunate to get the last hotel room in the area and had a nice dinner with another team. Then it was on to cutting numbers and BED!
This morning began EARLY, too early for me, but Jessica L. had a good point that we should attempt to be up before others were coming in to avoid congestion. So 6:30 arrival at the KOLU to prep the plane, reattch numbers, get a briefing and a bite to eat. Well it was quickly evident that the weather wasn't good here nor at our destination. We opted to eat at a GREAT truckers stop with a couple of other teams, transported by the 'shaggin waggon' (a REALLY old van...what an experience that was!) Then back to the airport. So we waited. And waited. And gave interviews, and waited. and looked at weather, and waited. And guess what, we're still waiting!!! So right now there is a storm sitting right over the top of the airport, and the airport behind and ahead are closed in too. So we will see! Welcome to aviation, hurry up and wait!
We've had a great time, seen alot of terrain, and learned so much already!! Can't wait to get another leg done!!
Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Jessica V and Jessica L
Our day began at 5, prepping ourselves, attending a final weather briefing, preflighting and then the TAKEOFF at 8! I cannot describe to you how smoothly everything during takeoff went! We, being number 57, were the last aircraft off the ground, I would say it was around 8:30?! Unreal how quickly everyone was up and out!
The flight over the mountains to Gallup New Mexico was NICE and bumpy! We had a decent tailwind and a fun time listening to all the girls chat on the air to air frequency. Air Traffic Control had a good time alerting us of the 'traffic' ahead. All we could say was, "We're aware!" First flyby went fairly smoothly, quickly! But smoothly.
Let me describe flybys. How the race is determined is based on your aircrafts handicap speed (the speed the plane tested at empty, full power, leaned, ect ect) compared to your speed during the actualy race. You want to have a faster groundspeed than your handicap. The leg speed is based on your leg time, from one timing line to another. The flybys are done at each stop airport, just a few hundred feet above the ground and at full steam ahead. They are an adrenaline rush! From there you are able to land and refuel without the clock still ticking and then you refly the timing line to restart your time.
Yesterday we did a flyby in Gallup and then stopped in Hereford, TX. It sure felt like West Texas, left gusty crosswind the whole way down! And DUSTY! And just a hint Hereford, GET SOME AIR FRESHENER! All the wind and stench aside, what a welcoming! A beautiful spread of food, lots of gifts and goodies and YELLOW ROSES! Love that Texas hospitality! From there it was on to Goodland, KS and overnight to Columbus, NE. We landed and our numbers on the back of the plane were COMPLETELY peeled off, so we had to remake those as quickly as possible! (I guess we were going just that fast!) We were fortunate to get the last hotel room in the area and had a nice dinner with another team. Then it was on to cutting numbers and BED!
This morning began EARLY, too early for me, but Jessica L. had a good point that we should attempt to be up before others were coming in to avoid congestion. So 6:30 arrival at the KOLU to prep the plane, reattch numbers, get a briefing and a bite to eat. Well it was quickly evident that the weather wasn't good here nor at our destination. We opted to eat at a GREAT truckers stop with a couple of other teams, transported by the 'shaggin waggon' (a REALLY old van...what an experience that was!) Then back to the airport. So we waited. And waited. And gave interviews, and waited. and looked at weather, and waited. And guess what, we're still waiting!!! So right now there is a storm sitting right over the top of the airport, and the airport behind and ahead are closed in too. So we will see! Welcome to aviation, hurry up and wait!
We've had a great time, seen alot of terrain, and learned so much already!! Can't wait to get another leg done!!
Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Jessica V and Jessica L
Friday, June 15, 2012
WE ARE HERE!!! We arrived in Lake Havasu this evening after an exciting couple of days!
We had a WONDERFUL send off from Ruston with lots of friends and family and even three news crews!! After lots of interviews, bags, and hugs, we preflighted and were off! Enroute to Abilene was gorgeous, got some great IMC time!! However, just about the time we entered into clear blue skies, one of our instruments starting acting funny. Of course they train us for events like this so we were well prepared, and how convenient to be going to Abilene where all of Jessica V's Maintenance friends are!
We spent the remainder of the day running errands, buying contact paper for our race numbers, and relaxing. Ready for the long day of flying ahead!
Today, we arrived at the airport around 9:30 to prepare to leave, only to run into a few hiccups with maintenance. The new attitude indicator hadn't yet come in, the Garmin 430 update wasn't cooperating (user error, imagine that?!), and the XM weather needed to be purchased. But with a little patience, some great friends at Abilene Aero, and a few lessons learned, we were ready!
Every time I (JV) enter a maintenance shop I question if I should become an A&P (and aviation mechanic). It absolutly fascinates me and I really appreciate Mark Reed, head of the Abilene Aero MX team, teaching me so much today! I learned how to perform a seat rail AD (Airworthiness Directive, basically a recall for airplanes), how impluse couplings work, and how to feel if an aircrafts engine's timing is right. So much fun, and after all the learning, the airplane was ready!
Today was SUCH a great learning experience for us both. The terrain, weather and altitude really brought out the outstanding skills we have acquired over these few short years and pushed our abilities and confidence, what an awesome experience! Flying from Abilene to Lake Havasu involved lots of mountains, which made it necessary to climb to a pretty high alititude. This brings into question the abilities of the airplane as well as the health of the pilots. Both did GREAT! It was bumpy and we had to deviate for some weather as well as for air traffic and finally stopped in Flagstaff, AZ to refuel, reboost and rest. The flight was a short hour after that into beautiful Lake Havasu! The Air Race Staff was WONDERFUL and greeted us with water and cool towels (By the way, it's HOT here!).
Once on the ramp, we applied our race numbers and polished 182PW up all nice and shiny for her inspection tomorrow!! At 9 a.m. the fun really begins!!
We appreciate all your prayers and support, what a blessing everyone has been! We will update lots more tomorrow, but after 6 hours of flying, we are ready for BED!!
Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Jessica L and Jessica V
We had a WONDERFUL send off from Ruston with lots of friends and family and even three news crews!! After lots of interviews, bags, and hugs, we preflighted and were off! Enroute to Abilene was gorgeous, got some great IMC time!! However, just about the time we entered into clear blue skies, one of our instruments starting acting funny. Of course they train us for events like this so we were well prepared, and how convenient to be going to Abilene where all of Jessica V's Maintenance friends are!
We spent the remainder of the day running errands, buying contact paper for our race numbers, and relaxing. Ready for the long day of flying ahead!
Today, we arrived at the airport around 9:30 to prepare to leave, only to run into a few hiccups with maintenance. The new attitude indicator hadn't yet come in, the Garmin 430 update wasn't cooperating (user error, imagine that?!), and the XM weather needed to be purchased. But with a little patience, some great friends at Abilene Aero, and a few lessons learned, we were ready!
Every time I (JV) enter a maintenance shop I question if I should become an A&P (and aviation mechanic). It absolutly fascinates me and I really appreciate Mark Reed, head of the Abilene Aero MX team, teaching me so much today! I learned how to perform a seat rail AD (Airworthiness Directive, basically a recall for airplanes), how impluse couplings work, and how to feel if an aircrafts engine's timing is right. So much fun, and after all the learning, the airplane was ready!
Today was SUCH a great learning experience for us both. The terrain, weather and altitude really brought out the outstanding skills we have acquired over these few short years and pushed our abilities and confidence, what an awesome experience! Flying from Abilene to Lake Havasu involved lots of mountains, which made it necessary to climb to a pretty high alititude. This brings into question the abilities of the airplane as well as the health of the pilots. Both did GREAT! It was bumpy and we had to deviate for some weather as well as for air traffic and finally stopped in Flagstaff, AZ to refuel, reboost and rest. The flight was a short hour after that into beautiful Lake Havasu! The Air Race Staff was WONDERFUL and greeted us with water and cool towels (By the way, it's HOT here!).
Once on the ramp, we applied our race numbers and polished 182PW up all nice and shiny for her inspection tomorrow!! At 9 a.m. the fun really begins!!
We appreciate all your prayers and support, what a blessing everyone has been! We will update lots more tomorrow, but after 6 hours of flying, we are ready for BED!!
Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Jessica L and Jessica V
Monday, May 21, 2012
Almost time!
LESS THAN ONE MONTH TO GO!
EXCITING NEWS!!! Our pilot, Jessica Lowery, is now a Commercially rated pilot! Woo hoo! I, JV, am so proud of her and know what work and dedication she put in for this! Next up, CFI!
Other exciting news, the Airplane is here! The beautiful 1979 Cessna 182Q arrived 2 weeks ago and we have been breaking her in getting accustomed to flying her. It's a dream! Two-Axis S-Tech Autopilot, Garmin 430 and 396 (with XM weather, oh and radio!) and very easy to fly. We're so excited! This week, JV and her Co-Pilot, boyfriend Ricky, are taking the plane for a mini-vacay to Marble Falls, TX, then on to Abilene, Sweetwater, and then Brenham, TX for our ARC 2012 Handicap Flight! Busy busy week of flying!
While I'm mentioning Sweetwater, I want to tell ya'll a little about my business there.
Sweetwater, TX (just northwest of KABI) is home to Avenger Field, the home of the Women Airforce Service Pilots. These incredible women were the first female flyers of World War II. Founded and led by Jaqueline Cochran, they flew ferry and training flights to relieve their male counterparts for combat roles. 1074 women pave the way for female aviators everywhere. They were not recognized as full military members until 1977 and recieved the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009. It was an honor to be in Sweetwater in 2010 as the WASPS came 'home' to celebrate together. I met several of these incredible women, what a blessing!! I'm so looking forward to seeing them this Saturday! For more info on the WASPS, visit www.waspmuseum.org .
The quarter ended well, summer has begun, but the fun never ends! Lots of students to teach, a CFI to be gained, and a RACE TO BE WON!
Please don't forget to forward our story to EVERYONE you know! We want a huge following during this exciting time!! Thanks again!
Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Team Jessica.
EXCITING NEWS!!! Our pilot, Jessica Lowery, is now a Commercially rated pilot! Woo hoo! I, JV, am so proud of her and know what work and dedication she put in for this! Next up, CFI!
Other exciting news, the Airplane is here! The beautiful 1979 Cessna 182Q arrived 2 weeks ago and we have been breaking her in getting accustomed to flying her. It's a dream! Two-Axis S-Tech Autopilot, Garmin 430 and 396 (with XM weather, oh and radio!) and very easy to fly. We're so excited! This week, JV and her Co-Pilot, boyfriend Ricky, are taking the plane for a mini-vacay to Marble Falls, TX, then on to Abilene, Sweetwater, and then Brenham, TX for our ARC 2012 Handicap Flight! Busy busy week of flying!
While I'm mentioning Sweetwater, I want to tell ya'll a little about my business there.
Sweetwater, TX (just northwest of KABI) is home to Avenger Field, the home of the Women Airforce Service Pilots. These incredible women were the first female flyers of World War II. Founded and led by Jaqueline Cochran, they flew ferry and training flights to relieve their male counterparts for combat roles. 1074 women pave the way for female aviators everywhere. They were not recognized as full military members until 1977 and recieved the Congressional Gold Medal in 2009. It was an honor to be in Sweetwater in 2010 as the WASPS came 'home' to celebrate together. I met several of these incredible women, what a blessing!! I'm so looking forward to seeing them this Saturday! For more info on the WASPS, visit www.waspmuseum.org .
The quarter ended well, summer has begun, but the fun never ends! Lots of students to teach, a CFI to be gained, and a RACE TO BE WON!
Please don't forget to forward our story to EVERYONE you know! We want a huge following during this exciting time!! Thanks again!
Blue Skies and Tailwinds,
Team Jessica.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!
GREAT NEWS! We're IN!!! We recieved a phone call last week asking us for our registration fee. Well, I (Jessica Vinson) wasn't going to pay the fee if we were still on the wait list. It took some convincing to tell me that we were actually in! It was perfect timing because the next morning was the Louisiana Tech AvFest Alumni talk at Davison, so I was able to stand up and announce our good news to the students, alumni and families. We got a GREAT reaction, even some applause! After taking a few emails down and making some hopeful sponsorship contacts, it set in how much WORK we have to do!! Time to raise $7000 in about 40 days, YIKES!
In GREAT news, I go to pick up N182PW next Saturday in my hometown of Abilene! The plane is a 1979 Cessna 182Q, 230 HP (woo hoo High Performance!) This will be my new project/baby. I'm so so excited to have it to build time in it and explore the great US this summer! Get ready friends, I'm coming to your town! I say lets all go flying! Dinner in Biloxi anyone? Ok I'm getting excited, all my gas money is going to the Air Race for now!
Speaking of, WE NEED SPONSORS! PLEASE, if you know anyone who would like to advertise on our website or sponsor us, let me know! I have a great sponsorship package set up and I'm devising a plan for a thank you gift! Every little bit counts!
Flight Instructing is going great, we've been blessed with outstanding weather and I have the GREATEST Students! I feel like a proud mama, they're all the best, most smartest, most wonderful students in the world. I actually conducted my first solo this past week, Mr. Kyle Williams. They say when you know they're ready to solo, you'll just know. This is TOTALLY true! He's a sponge, just absorbs everything! My other students are doing great as well, 2 close to solo, 1 close to Instrument stage check, and 2 checkride ready! I LOVE my job, I'm still amazed that I get paid to do what I do! I'm also upgrading to a Stage Check Instructor, which means I will conduct progress reviews of Tech Students. This means I'm having to rearrange my schedule alot (thanks for being so flexible, guys!) but it is so exciting to get to further my job more!
Time to finally head to bed, and maybe eat. Did I mention I don't eat or sleep anymore?
Thanks for your support!
Jessica Vinson
In GREAT news, I go to pick up N182PW next Saturday in my hometown of Abilene! The plane is a 1979 Cessna 182Q, 230 HP (woo hoo High Performance!) This will be my new project/baby. I'm so so excited to have it to build time in it and explore the great US this summer! Get ready friends, I'm coming to your town! I say lets all go flying! Dinner in Biloxi anyone? Ok I'm getting excited, all my gas money is going to the Air Race for now!
Speaking of, WE NEED SPONSORS! PLEASE, if you know anyone who would like to advertise on our website or sponsor us, let me know! I have a great sponsorship package set up and I'm devising a plan for a thank you gift! Every little bit counts!
Flight Instructing is going great, we've been blessed with outstanding weather and I have the GREATEST Students! I feel like a proud mama, they're all the best, most smartest, most wonderful students in the world. I actually conducted my first solo this past week, Mr. Kyle Williams. They say when you know they're ready to solo, you'll just know. This is TOTALLY true! He's a sponge, just absorbs everything! My other students are doing great as well, 2 close to solo, 1 close to Instrument stage check, and 2 checkride ready! I LOVE my job, I'm still amazed that I get paid to do what I do! I'm also upgrading to a Stage Check Instructor, which means I will conduct progress reviews of Tech Students. This means I'm having to rearrange my schedule alot (thanks for being so flexible, guys!) but it is so exciting to get to further my job more!
Time to finally head to bed, and maybe eat. Did I mention I don't eat or sleep anymore?
Thanks for your support!
Jessica Vinson
Monday, March 12, 2012
Team Jessica; The Road to the ARC
We are registered (on the wait list) and getting our sponsorhip letter ready!!
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