I made it to the start & New race partner part 1

I made it! I made it! I made it! I made it! I made it!
I'm so exited that I did. I never thought that I would be able to say this, but I flew across the country by myself.

By myself, never alone

 I'm a lucky girl, even though I was by myself in the cockpit I was never alone. So many awesome people that were coaching me through this part of the adventure. Biggest thanks go to my mother-bird coach who was able to calm me down after I learned that I was going to have to continue by myself. She was able to talk me through the next steps that needed to happen 1) wait out the weather 2) make a flight plan based on the weather 3) find a new copilot. In addition she went over the weather with me while she was still flight planning to fly out here herself. It was just amazing.
More pilot friends were keeping an eye on me, and sending texts and calling with very good advise. Especially about evaluating my personal minimums, and then keeping myself to them.
My fellow racers and the race committee were an awesome support system. Helping me with finding a new co-pilot and giving me encouragement throughout the cross country.
ATC was very helpful in getting me across the country safely. Keeping me posted on where the bigger cells were located based on pilot reports. And every single time I requested a deviation from my IFR course to go around buildups or get out of bad turbulence, there were no questions asked and I could do it or there would be other solutions like a different altitude. Two controllers were actually keeping me company at different times, just chatting a little bit about the bad weather hahaha. I learned to value of getting flight following, especially when you are by yourself. And I called the flight service station before taking off on every leg, to get an extra pair of eyes evaluating the weather. All the people I talked to were super helpful, my faith in humanity is definitely restored!!

New co-pilot!

Not only am I fortunate to have been able to make it to the start, with pretty harsh weather conditions. I also am super lucky to have found a new race partner in this super short notice. Anita Mixon from West Palm Florida will be joining me in the Air Race Classic. We will be able to fly the race, but probably will have to be in the non-competition part of the race. In order to fly competition we need to refly the handicap flight because of the different weight of the co-pilot. The question is if we can still do that in time for the race kick off. But, even if we can't make it in the competition class we will still fly non-competition. The experience of being in this race will still be worth it!

~Flying Dutchess

A rough start, a team of two is now one

Finally, my first post from on the road, written while stuck in Amarillo Texas due to weather. I will try to keep up and blog as I go. Tapping away on my iPad I now realize that I can't seem to add the photos while on the iPad. I will do so when I return to California, the words will have to do for now.

Day one: KEDW-KMIT-67L-KFMN

Thursday June 11th, what an exciting day! Today was the day the epic adventure starts. And what an adventure it already has proven to be, only three days in. Let's start at the very beginning, the first divert from the planned route. 

Due to unforeseen events JJ wasn't able to come to Fox field KWJF in the morning, from where we were supposed to leave. Instead I flew from Edwards AFB KEDW where the airplane is based, to KMIT Shafter Minter to pick up the other half of the team. After a quick cup of coffee we were off.

The route from KMIT to Mesquite 67L Nevada took us throug the Trona pass between the restricted area's R2505 and R2524. We had planned to fly around the class B airspace of Mc Carran International airport KLAS in Las Vegas. But fortunately I had been flying with flight following. Las Vegas Approach assigned us a different squawk code and we were able to fly direct to Mesquite from south west of the class B airspace at 9500. It was really impressive to fly over the airport and see the large traffic takeoff and land underneath us. We also had a beautiful view of a dam that we mistook for the Hoover dam. Nonetheless, still a very nice view. 

After fueling we were back up in no time to head to Four Corners Regional KFMN New Mexico. At about half on this leg we caught up with bad weather that was in front of us. It was a bit of a struggle to weave our way through the cells and onwards to our next stop. We were able to make it by about 5 PM. The hotel shuttle came to pick us up and after a quick dinner my head hit the pillow. Closing my eyes my body felt as it was still in the airplane, avoiding clouds left and right. Rest was well deserved after 7 hrs of flying.

Day two: KFMN KDAH KAMA.

Friday June 12th. The weather looks terrible. It looked like it would definitely be a challenge to find our way to Perry F22 Oklahoma. And a challenge was an understatement, since we never made it further than Amarillo KAMA Texas.

I will spare you the details, but it was an exhausting day. We eventually made it to a hotel in downtown Amarillo. Apparently all the other hotels closer to the airport were all booked, since there is a rodeo in town. Unfortunately we were not able to agree in the cockpit on a few things and JJ felt that the weather was too bad on the way to the start line and for the race itself. She was thinking of withdrawing from the race. The next morning she told me that her decision had been made and she would not continue on to their start line.

Day three: Amarillo Texas, not giving up.

June 13th, the weather is terrible again. I decided to wait out the weather a day and the see if it will clear out enough by tomorrow for me to head to the start of the race. Today was busy with finding another co-pilot to fly the race with and I think I've succeeded to find someone. I'm not entirely sure yet, but I'll know more by the time of the next update.

I will continue the cross country to Virginia on my own where I hope to still start the Air Race Classic. Unfortunately, I will not be able to fly in the competition any longer. Since I would have to do another handicap flight for the new copilot, and it's too short notice to get that accomplished now. I hope to still fly in the non-competition class, so that I still will be able to experience the race fun. Fingers crossed for the weather to clear up tomorrow! 

~Flying Dutchess