We snuck out before the weather deteriorated yesterday. There was a window and we took it leaving Frederick at 8:30 am. It was a hazy and BUMPY ride with the hairiest landing of the trip back at N07. Gotta say, Pete put the runway lights on for our arrival and we felt like we had returned from a successful bombing run over Europe!
We had some technical difficulties with the postings on the website while we were gone so I will be doing my best to get a recreation of our trip posted today and pictures up so you can follow along.
Overall, the experience is life changing for a pilot. It directly points out a pilots' weaknesses and builds confidence in a pilots' abilities. It strengthens the bond between airplane and pilot and makes the crew and the machine one...able to communicate without words. It is a success when the crew is still talking outside of the airplane. I can sum up our experience in one word...MIRACULOUS!
Team Kollar Christian will live on and there are many, many more adventures to follow...so check in after the race and follow our individual and team journies as pilots on a quest for the secrets of the wind (ok, so that may be a bit corny and over the top, but Thelma and Louise of the Sky will certainly entertain with their adventures!)
Today we had a wonderful Waffle House breakfast with our "Superman", Pete. Then it was on to find out what our score sheet finalized out to. We did better than we expected but were surprised by a penalty we had no idea about. We had been asked to refly a timing line but thought it was that the timer missed the time. We thought that the penalty would be the fact that our time would be increased by reflying. The timing lines at the towered fields were much more difficult and chaotic than those at the non towered stops. In Tuscaloosa for example we had to do 360' turns five miles out because of landing traffic...gosh darnit...this is a race? Let the landing traffic do a 360 or 720...whatever it takes! But that is all part of the race and the luck of the draw. Definately makes things more interesting.
We met our North Jersey girls at the premier of a terrific film documenting the first All Women's Air Derby. Breaking Through the Clouds really demonstrated the consistency in the race experience. We are gifted with much better equipment today and thank goodness, there were no accidents or losses in the race but the grit, stamina, comraderie and mutual admiration of the participants is the same. I must say having Phyllis to lean on when exhaustion was too close and the stress was compounding and vice versa was another aspect that those first racers did not have as their race was solo. It is amazing to know we are a part of history.
The most surreal feeling was landing in Frederick. The final flyby! Wow, the sense of accomplishment was very emotional. It was hazy, it was hot and we are done! Team Kollar Christian took the final landing together...letting out a hoot and a holler when the wheels touched down. The taxi to the ramp was lined with warm faces and the surprise of North Jersey Ninety Nines that decided to surprise us with hugs, water and gifts upon arrival.
My favorite memory of the terminus was getting out of the plane and being greeted by Marilyn who simply said, "what took you so long? I've been here since 8am!" We love you Marilyn and thank you for all your guidance and expertise!
I can't believe that I just wrote for nearly twenty minutes a play by play of the most exciting flying either Phyllis or I have ever done and lost the entire blog when the hotel internet service was interupted. So alas, you all get an abridged version:
Day 1 Start: Racer breakfast, final briefing and off to the airport.
We launched one plane after another, when one plane's wheels lifted from the tarmac the next was released for takeoff!
We made it to Waycross in just over 2 hours. The flyby was the most intense flying we have ever done and probably ever will! Our momma bird was right on when she said that the next leg would be more fun as we now knew what to expect.
Leg 2: Waycross Ga to Tuscaloosa Alabama.
Manuevered over military paratrooper training, dodged restricted airspace and was asked to do a 360 at ten miles on the flyby! Talk about bad luck! But we were really bumped around and it was hot and we were overwhelmed so for safety sake we chose to stay the night in Tuscaloosa and leave at sunrise for Hot Spring Arkansas, Cameron, Missori and Carbondale Illinois. That will leave three legs for Thursday and Friday to catch up with new friends and enjoy the terminus activities.
We think we are doing well. Of course as beginners we have no clue what's good or not in terms of racing but we flew fast, we flew safe and we had a hell of a lot of fun.
We put on our big girl panties and flew like our hair was on fire! Smiling the entire way! Maybe it was panic that was distorting our faces but in the end it was FUN! Standby for more and pictures to be added soon (forgot the camera in the plane...oops!)
I personally want to thank all the father's in my life that have inspired, pushed, supported and taught me to be a pilot along the way. Thanks Daddy for all the weekends at the airport, the summers in Oshkosh, the flights for Chuckles and Rootbeer, the flying lessons that changed my life when I was 14, the hours of sitting and planning and talking about flying. Thank you to Grandpa who gave me vectors back on course when my flight training took a deviation. Thank you to Rob for supporting me and rooting me on from back home! I love you all and our shared love of flight.
_Nancy
The ARC committee has done a fantastic job of entertaining us racers. Tonight we had a private shopping adventure (don't worry Rob and Chris we didn't buy very much) at Chicos. It was fun to grab a snack in the store right across from the hotel and share good times with old friends and new.
A bonus for us that other teams didn't have is that we were able to share it with Charise, Phyllis' stepdaughter. What fun the three of us had both at the reception and then our adventure to Crabby Joe's for stemed pots of crab legs, lobster, clams and lots of butter!
This morning we are off to Sanabel Island and tonight is the ARC BBQ at the airport where we can see all the planes from a distance. This is it...if you ain't here today you ain't racin' :)
As always check out the pics!
We left White Plains, NY this morning at 8:30 and arrived in Fort Meyers just after 11am.
We headed directly to Paige Field where we walked into a FBO filled with fellow racers. We visited Emmy and made sure she was doing well. We had our credentials checked and then checked into the Crowne Plaza and Race Central. After a quick lunch we headed back to the airport where Emmy had her race inspection.
Pete, our inspector, and his army of mechanics pulled off her cowling. Marked all her wires and connections to make sure we don't change out an engine midrace. Checked her logs, w&b, serial numbers, lights and put her back together. This is the last time we can see her before Race Day!
Phyllis gave her a kiss goodnight and we waited out a thundershower. Them's some crazy pilots down in these parts...we were speechless as we watched a light sport come in for a landing between lightning strikes...YIKES...sure it was not as close as it looked to us but it was quite a scene regardless.
Getting ready to call it a day as tomorrow we are leaving White Plains, NY for Fort Meyers, FL to officially begin the race. The journey has been underway for several months and weeks. We will keep you posted and if you are trying to leave a comment or message and have trouble please send us email to our personal accounts and we will sort this out for once and for all :)
Sweet Dreams to all...ours will be of flying as fast as the butterflies in our stomachs!
Phyllis just called in and reported that she, Pete and Emmy are all safely in Florida. They arrived this afternoon and the experience was AWESOME! You Rock Phyllis! Count down to ARC Start continues!
Check out pictures in Picture and Video Gallery Album: Race to the Start
Well, Mother Nature tried to mess with ARC#5 and ARC#5 came right back at her! Phyllis left yesterday afternoon with Emmy to get ahead of the impending gloomy weather. The last word was that both arrived safely in Hilton Head, NC with a substitute co-pilot, Pete DeRosa. Emmy will be officially at the start well ahead of the weather. The entire Team Kollar Christian will reunite and fly commercially down to Florida on Friday. Keep an eye out for news updates.
Thanks for all the awesome comments. They definately are heartfelt on both sides. Keep them coming!
We have been working hard to tie up all those loose ends. This week has been busy!
Notice we did a photo shoot and have some fun new pictures of us as a team and Emmy on her own. Phyllis completed the handicap flight. We have been organizing our packing and prepping. Nancy did some final briefings with support engineer, Don and Emmy got a bath and rub down...boy is she looking shiny and fast! Her numbers will be tatooed on her this week and as Phyllis and Nancy watch the weather closely...looks like they maybe launching a day early to guarantee they are in Florida by Wednesday.
Make sure you stay tuned in the journey should be amazing fun!