Today began with the first official all racers briefing at 10am. There are 46 teams this year, as four of the original 50 teams scratched for various reasons. This is a large field considering that in our first year, 2008, there were about 35 teams. We all met for some presentations by Gretchen Jahn and Denise Waters on some of the general considerations for the race, even including advice on what to eat! Some key points are to stay hydrated and take along a lot of water; and to lean out the engine at every opportunity. At the briefing, the flyby procedure diagrams were posted for the first time as well, so we all hurried to take photos so that we can transcribe the procedures onto the Jeppesen airport diagrams that the ARC provides for this purpose.
As usual there was no time for lunch. Linda, Barbara and I had just returned to our room and started briefing roles and responsibilities, when we got the call to go out to the airport to have another go at the handicap run. We drove out there without any great hope as the ceiling was around 2700 feet and clearly consisted of cumulus that was building in the heat and humidity of the day. During the handicap run, the pilot climbs to a density altitude of 6000 feet, which in this heat is about 4200 feet above sea level, and flies four sides of a square at race speed. During each leg the right seat pilot records ground speed measurements that are aggregated and used to determine the handicap. Like all Air Race operations, this has to be conducted during the daytime and in VMC conditions ie even though we are instrument rated and can fly in the clouds, the handicap run must be conducted in visual flight conditions. We preflighted the plane, and Linda took off with Becky in front and Barbara in back. But they returned after a short flight, reporting that the clouds were climbing well above the required flight level, so handicap flights were cancelled for the day once again. If tomorrow washes out as well, we'll have to do it at the terminus. The only disadvantage of this is that we won't know our handicap during the race itself, but this doesn't bother us.
So we returned to the hotel, did laundry, and began to brief the route in detail. In the evening we had a reception with dinner at which we were all presented with charms showing the race route in miniature. We sat with Barb and Laurie the Zippy Chicks; and with Marlene and her partner. Linda works at the same company as Marlene - it's a small world!
Pictures from today will be posted separately.
