Racing recap Day 1

Tuesday June 21 the alarm clocks sounded at 0445 AM!  Thankfully we had slept some but still awoke with tremendous excitement. All teams assembled for an early breakfast and final pre-race briefing. Although a layer of smoky haze was settled in the area the forecast was good.  

By 0730 we were out at the airport for packing and pre-flight. Thanks to Sara, Karin, Ned, Katie and Henry for meeting us in Prescott and joining in the festivities. 

At 0800, as scheduled, plane #1 started its engine. In race number order all planes followed using the progressive taxi to runway 21L. And we were off to the races!!!

Immediately we climbed to cross the mountainous terrain on the first leg across northeastern Arizona and New Mexico. The temperature began to rise and the air became increasingly more wavy and roly (technical terms for certain). 

Viewing the beautiful scenery during cross country flights is one of the delights that we experience. The photos sometimes display reflections of the airplane windows and ourselves. 

Race planes started to spread out according to unique course routing and differential speeds. 

And on in to the Albuquerque area. Smoke loomed in the distant NE over the ridges east of Albuquerque. 

The fly-by for the end of our first leg was at Mid Valley Airpark, a privately owned, public access airport along the Rio Grande and south of Albuquerque. The strip was a bit hard to find. 

Our stop airport was Double Eagle, to the north and outside the busy ABQ airspace.  Here one can imagine where there used to be practice training bombing ranges for bombardiers in World War II.  It was a relief to have completed the first leg and fly by.  The volunteers were amazing with offers of hand-made necklaces and chili powder, and the fueling very efficient. 

We reviewed weather info and decided to launch for the next leg.

Density Altitude!