STAFF REPORTS Fairhope – H.L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport (KCQF), 99s Emerald Angels of the Gulf Coast Chapter and Continental Motors Group, an AVIC International Holding Corporation company, welcomes the all-women Air Race Classic to Fairhope June 24- 27, 2015 for their annual transcontinental race.

There are fifty-four teams with one hundred eighteen female pilots registered to compete for this year’s championship. Amy Lee Fooladi, flight student and Publicity Chairwoman for the Race Terminus Committee, said the event is an inspiring one for women in the area.

“The Air Race is so inspiring to see females flying: retirees, professionals, students, mothers - all licensed pilots,” Fooladi said. “To see other women flying and some even just flying for the fun of it - I know I and any girl can do this, too. The Air Race Classic brings together like minded females who all have the same passion for aviation and flying.”

The H.L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport will be the final stop and finishing line of the 2015 Air Race Classic(ARC)which begins in Fredericksburg, Virginia and spans more than 2,199 nautical miles.

The Air Race Classic race will begin on Monday, June 22, precisely at 8 a.m. with airplanes departing every 30 seconds. There are eight predetermined stops as the pilots make their way towards Fairhope.

“The Air Race Classic is coming to Fairhope because of the sponsorship of Continental Motors,” Fooladi said. “Continental’s subsidiary, Zulu Flight Training has simulators in our area- the simulators allow anyone including working and stay at home mothers the flexibility to train around busy schedules.”

All flights are conducted in day visual-flight-rules (VFR) conditions and each aircraft is handicapped for speed and engine power. The goal is to fly faster than the calculated handicapped speed. To achieve this, racers undergo months of briefings, flight planning and a fly-by study in preparation for the race.

Once at the terminus airport, scores are determined by a panel of judges and timers, and the winner is announced at a private gala Awards Banquet.

“This race is also bringing economic benefits to the community,” Fooladi said. “The racers purchase fuel, pay for lodging for the weekend and shop. A portion of ticket sales benefit Aviation Adventures, Inc., a non-profit whose mission is to provide aviation education and career development for disadvantaged youth, especially girls. Aviation Adventures Inc., meets with the Girls from the Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast and Mobile once a month for six months prior to the race. In fact, these clubs helped us paint the Compass Rose at the Fairhope airport.”

There are several race events that the public is invited to participate in. The community is encouraged to come out to the airport Thursday, June 25 to watch and welcome the racers as they arrive at the Fairhope airport. LiteMix 99.9 will be at the airport broadcasting live. You can also follow the race teams at – http://airraceclassic.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/groups/226978527360/ or https://twitter.com/2015ARC.

Continental Motors Services is hosting the traditional “hangar” party at the close of the race Thursday, June 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the airport. Please join the racers for this celebratory dinner and dancing including barbeque and the fixings’ provided by Georgia Roussos, wine/beer and live entertainment provided by the well-known band Mid-Life Crisis LA.

Beautiful Junk Art by Erin Romero is also a sponsor of the event. Tickets to the hangar party are on sale through June 1 for $35 and can be purchased at Page and Palette Independent Bookstore located in downtown Fairhope (251-928-5295) or at Continental Motors Services, located at H.L. “Sonny” Callahan Airport in Fairhope (251-990-5080).

A portion of ticket proceeds benefit Aviation Adventures, Inc., an organization that provides underprivileged youth (girls) the opportunity to explore aviation. Lastly, Young Eagle Flights will be given at the airport on Saturday, the 27th from 9:00 am-4:00 pm.

The first 100 boys and girls ages 8-17 will have a free ride in an airplane, come early! Sponsorships for the race are available and include a banner on the airport fence during the month of June 2015.

Promote your business and support Aviation all at the same time for one low price. Call members of the Terminus Committee, Carol Voss at 262.902.4709 or Pam Caudill at 562.682.2674 for details.

A portion of the proceeds will go to support the 99s Emerald Angels of the Gulf Coast Chapter. ### The Air Race Classic is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to encouraging and educating current and future women pilots, increasing public awareness of general aviation, demonstrating women's roles in aviation, and presenting and promoting the tradition of pioneering women in aviation.

Air Race Classic is a women’s-only air race was originally started in 1929 by a brave group of female pilots including Amelia Earhart; when women pilots were banned from competing against men. Continental Motors Group, Ltd. of Hong Kong, China is a subsidiary of AVIC International Holding Corporation of Beijing, China.

Its mission is to provide advanced gasoline and Jet-A piston engine products, spare parts, engine and aircraft services, avionics equipment and repairs as well as pilot training for the general aviation marketplace. Continental is an international operation employing approximately 450 team members in Mobile and Baldwin counties, Alabama, USA; 200 team members in St. Egidien, Germany; and 8 team members in Beijing, China. More information can be found at www.continentalmotors.aero.

The Ninety-Nines is the international organization of women pilots that promotes advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while honoring their unique history and sharing their passion for flight. Established in 1929 by 99 women pilots (Amelia Earhart was one of them and the first Ninety Nine President), the members of The Ninety-Nines, Inc., International Organization of Women Pilots, are represented in all areas of aviation today.

And, to quote Amelia, fly “for the fun of it!” Aviation Adventures Inc. an organization that provides aviation education to disadvantaged girls will also be participating with “Adopt-a-Racer” in conjunction with the Air Race Classic.

The youth will get to meet and support their designated race teams. This program works with the local Boys and Girls Club of Mobile and the Emerald Coast using aviation to enhance self-esteem, promote team building and leadership training.

“The Air Race Classic was initially founded when it was illegal for women to compete against men- Amelia Earhart was one of the founders,” Fooled said. “I met one of the racers, Pamela Duncan on New Years Eve 2013 and she suggested I fly. As a mother with children, I hadn’t considered nurturing my childhood dream of becoming a pilot. But at any age and season in life a women can fly airplanes, seeing these women race- I’m going to do that too. If you work hard enough, you can do anything.”