Media Invited to 2016 Start, Terminus of Historic All-Female Air Race Classic

WHAT: As it celebrates its 90th year, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will be the host sponsor of the 2016 Air Race Classic (ARC), a cross-country airplane race with early ties to Amelia Earhart.

Featuring more than 100 female pilots ages 17 to 90 competing in the oldest race of its kind in the United States, this year's course will cover 2,716 miles and consist of more than 50 teams.

In addition to hosting the start and terminus, Embry-Riddle’s residential campuses in Arizona and Florida will field four female student and instructor pilot teams as part of this year's race, the ARC's 40th, which features a special theme, “Collegiate Cross-Country,” honoring aviation programs at universities and colleges across the country. This year also marks 20 years since a similar route was run between the two campuses in 1996, and for the first time ever in the university’s history, a faculty team will participate.

WHERE/WHEN: Embry-Riddle’s Prescott, Ariz., Campus will host the start with events kicking off Friday, June 17 with aircraft inspection and registration at Ernest A. Love Field, 6546 Crystal Lane, Prescott, Ariz., 86301. Take-offs from Love Field are scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 21. A viewing area at the take-off where media can set up is available, and interview opportunities will be provided post-registration (Friday) and before take-off (Tuesday).

Pilots will end the race at the terminus in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Friday, June 24 with events scheduled starting that day and running through the weekend at Embry-Riddle. An ARC pilot hiring fair featuring representatives from regional airlines will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Daytona Beach Campus, and a Meet The Racers youth event will be from 1-3 p.m. Sunday on campus. Results of the race will be announced Sunday night at a private banquet. Media is invited is cover Saturday and Sunday events as well as interview racers during those days on campus.

NOTE: The 2016 ARC will cover a course that includes stops at airports at or near institutions of higher education that train and educate future pilots. One such stop is Albuquerque, N.M., where Embry-Riddle Worldwide offers courses at Kirtland Air Force Base.

MEDIA INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Embry-Riddle current students and graduate pilots scheduled to participate include four from the Prescott Campus (Hannah Rooney, Rachel Hutzell, Hannah Burright and Shelby King) and from the Daytona Beach Campus (Sarah Wendt, Sojung An, Emmy Dillon and Abbie Pasmore). Wendt, Pasmore, Dillon and King have all flown in previous ARC races. Also scheduled to compete will be a first-time-ever faculty team from the Daytona Beach Campus with pilots Naiara Petralanda and Virginie Rollin. Profiles of racers can be found here.

The women were selected for this prestigious competition by Embry-Riddle College of Aviation administrators from each campus on the basis of their piloting skills, their competitive spirit and their knowledge of aviation, safety, navigation, meteorology and crew resource management. All Embry-Riddle teams will fly Cessna 172 aircraft from the university’s fleet.

Due to competition schedule obligations and flight line restrictions, media must make advance interview requests (Please see media contact below). B-roll footage and biographies will be provided upon request. Racers will be available for interviews before take-off in Prescott and after landing in Daytona Beach.

There are also numerous Embry-Riddle graduates and former faculty/staff participating in the race; media interview opportunities can be made available for them as well.

MORE INFORMATION: For a previous news release outlining Embry-Riddle’s hosting of ARC, go to erau.edu. For details on this year’s schedule and route, go to airraceclassic.org.