Air Racing 101
A Primer on Cross-country Handicapped Speed Racing
By Pat Lowers
Here is a basic list of tasks that will need to be performed during a race. Use it as a starting point and add your own items as they occur to you.
- Assign all tasks
- Make hotel reservations
- Bring Extra engine oil
- Bring Rags/water for cleaning plane
- Bring Pens/pencils – other materials
- Bring Current charts
- Bring legal paperwork (log books, etc.)
- Bring emergency tools
- Bring Water/food
- Select/bring Clothes
- Bring camera/take photos
- Bring/attach Race numbers
- Get Weather briefings
- Conduct Preflight
- Order and monitor Fuel
- Time takeoffs/flybys
- Time checkpoints
- Calculate ground speeds
- Calculate race progress
- Operate Nav radios
- Operate Com radios
- Operate GPS
- Manage Flyby instructions
- Make flyby calls
- Watch for traffic
- Watch for obstacles
- Ensure plane is tied down
I hope this simple primer helps you decide to participate in air racing and helps you understand and enjoy it.
Blue Skies,
Pat