Submitted by Air Race Classic.
Elizabeth Menozzi, a well-known local author, will take to the skies from June 17-20 in the 48th Air Race Classic, the oldest airplane race of its kind in the United States. She will be one of nearly 100 women pilots from across the country and around the world flying in this year’s race, which begins in Fairhope, Alabama, and ends in Spokane, Washington.
This historic contest traces its roots to the 1929 Women’s Air Derby, aka the Powder Puff Derby, in which Amelia Earhart and 19 other daring female pilots raced from Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland, Ohio. That competition marked the beginning of women’s air racing in the United States. Today, the ARC is the epicenter of women’s air racing, the ultimate test of piloting skill and aviation decision-making for female pilots of all ages and from all walks of life.
“I am excited for the ARC race and look forward to connecting with other female aviators from around the world while testing my skills by flying through territory and weather conditions I don’t ordinarily experience in the San Juans and greater-Seattle area,” said Menozzi.
Menozzi is an award-winning writer of science fiction and fantasy with romance. Raised in the Chicago area, she moved to Seattle where she had a career working in tech before leaving to write and publish books, including her best-selling Modern Fae Series. She is a member of the Airhawks Flying Club on Orcas Island and began flying in April 2024. Since then, Menozzi has earned not only her private pilot certificate, but also her instrument rating, and accumulated over 400 hours of flight time. She is currently working on her commercial pilot certificate. In her spare time, she is an avid runner, host at New Leaf Cafe, and volunteer with Island Reproductive Health Initiative.
She and her race partner, Samy-Rae of California, will compete in a field of 43 teams, flying a 2,426-statute mile route from Fairhope, Alabama, to Spokane, Washington. They are actively working to connect with sponsors who might be interested in covering some of their fuel and lodging costs for this endeavor. Interested parties can contact Menozzi at menozzie@gmail.com.
The race will begin at 8 a.m. on June 17 at H L Sonny Callahan Airport in Fairhope, Alabama, with teams taking off one right after another, 30 seconds apart. From there, the field will spread out as faster planes move to the head of the pack. As they progress along the race route — Starkville, Mississippi; Harrison, Arkansas; McPherson, Kansas; Sterling, Colorado; Gillette, Wyoming; Rock Springs, Wyoming; Jerome, Idaho; and La Grande, Oregon — teams will execute a high-speed flyby over a timing line as they race against the clock. Faster planes may cover the course in only two days; slower teams may not arrive at the Terminus, Felts Field in Spokane, Washington, until moments before the arrival deadline at 5:30 p.m. on June 20.
The ARC draws competitors of all ages, from teenagers to veteran pilots in their 90s, and from all walks of life, from college students to professional airline pilots to military veterans to teachers, writers, doctors and businesswomen. For some teams, the ARC is a family affair, with multiple generations competing together every year. For others, the ARC presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience parts of the country far from home. For all, it is a chance to engage in fierce competition while sharing their love of flying – especially with young people – expanding their knowledge and skill as pilots, and encouraging the next generation of brave, fearless women to take to the air.
