Hayward, California to Bend - Air Rally Promotes Core Pilot Skills

From all over the West Coast, 27 aircraft and pilot crews are preparing for competition in the 49th annual Hayward Air Rally, set for June 21. The longest continually-held flying event of this type in North America, this proficiency challenge offers aviators the opportunity to demonstrate their airmanship skills of fuel planning and cross-country flight without the use of advanced navigation equipment.

The actual rally course is announced the day prior to the event. The course consists of two legs, each approximately 250 nautical miles. The first leg is from Hayward (HWD) to Redding, California (RDD). The second leg extends from Redding to Bend (BDN). Each rally leg contains multiple checkpoints, which must be visually identified. Prior to departure from Hayward, each pilot turns in estimates of their enroute flight times and fuel consumption for each of the two legs. This will be the Air Rally’s fifth visit to Oregon.

Traditionally flown without the use of GPS, LORAN, DME, RNAV or Digital Fuel Flow Meters, flight teams are scored on their ability to precisely predict flight times and fuel consumption enroute to the two required landing points. Flight crews are scored on a combination of identifying check points, matching predicted time (to the second) and matching predicted fuel usage (to the tenth of a gallon). The lowest score wins. Penalty points are accumulated for incorrectly identifying checkpoints, as well as deviating from time enroute and fuel estimates. Recently-adopted event rules allow pilots with advanced-technology cockpits to also compete and be ranked fairly against those with traditional equipment.

The winner of the 2012 Hayward Air Rally was Sam Sun of San Diego, California flying a Grumman Tiger. A two-time winner of this event, Mr. Sun is returning this year to defend his championship.

The rally is open to pilots of single and multi-engine piston aircraft with a minimum range of 400 nautical miles. Student pilots may participate as pilots if an appropriately rated flight instructor accompanies them. Copilots/navigators need not be licensed, nor even a pilot, to participate.

Rally proceeds are used to fund summer youth aviation camp scholarships. This year the Hayward Air Rally has selected four California teenagers to receive fully-paid scholarships including tuition and roundtrip airfare to the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) Advanced Air Academy summer 2013 program.

In partnership with local chapters of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the International Organization of Women Pilots, Inc. (99s), the Hayward Air Rally is pleased to announce the winners of the four scholarships as Luis Fernando Mendez of James Logan High School in Union City; Lacey Peddicord of Foothill High School in Palo Cedro; Adam Sciupac of Lynnbrook High School in San Jose; and Kathryn Smith of Mission San Jose High School in Fremont. The Air Academy is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and is an in-residence camp for students to develop and explore their interest in aviation. These camps provide the foundation for a lifelong love of aviation as well as the opportunity to create friendships with fellow aviation enthusiasts.

Corporate sponsors of the rally include Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co., Ascend Development HWD LLC, Brightline Bags, David Clark Company, Flight Guide, the City of Hayward, Jeppesen, Professional Air, Redding Municipal Airport, Redding Jet Center, and Suburban Air. The event is also supported by the Alameda County and Mount Shasta chapters of the 99s, the International Association of Women Pilots.

About the Hayward Air Rally: The annual Air Rally is staged by the Hayward Air Rally, Inc., a not-for profit California public benefit corporation and charitable organization with IRS 501(c3) status. Originally conceived by the City of Hayward’s Mayor in 1964, the Air Rally’s primary charter is to enhance general aviation safety by encouraging aircraft pilots to stay proficient in basic flight and fuel management techniques. For more information about the Air Rally, visit the event web site http://www.hwdairrally.org

About the Experimental Aircraft Association: The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) was founded in 1953 in Milwaukee, WI as a local club for those who built and restored their own aircraft. It quickly grew to include anyone who enjoys flying for recreation and welcomes all aviation enthusiasts to participate. Today, EAA is a non-profit 501(c3) that includes 160,000 members in more than 100 countries. EAA has chartered approximately 1,000 local chapters worldwide, which promote local aviation activities in their communities and regions. EAA’s mission is dedicated to providing aviation access to all who wish to participate. EAA is committed to preserving aviation history and heritage, and helping to prepare future generations of aviators. For more information about the EAA Air Academy call (888) 322-3229 or visit http://www.eaa.org/airacademy

About The Ninety-Nines, Inc.

The International Association of Women Pilots (99s) is a non-profit organization of women pilots that promotes advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support, and preserves the unique history of women in aviation through the 99s Museum of Women Pilots and the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum. For more information visit www.ninety-nines.org