It began in 1929, when Amelia Earhart and 19 other female pilot pioneers started the First Women’s Air Derby, America’s inaugural women-only air race.
Today, LeTourneau University takes part in this now 86-year-old
tradition with its own pioneering female pilots. Recent LETU aviation graduates Rebecca
Davidson and Jovita Perez-Segovia are currently flying across the country in
today’s premier female-only air race, the Air Race Classic—and are LETU’s
first pilots to do so.
The First Women’s Air Derby later became the All Women’s Transcontinental Air Race until 1977, when the Air Race Classic interceded to become America’s leading female air race.
Entry in the Air Race Classic
isn’t easy. There are only 55 spots available, and the race is open to pilots
worldwide. Davidson and Perez-Segovia were accepted, meeting all race requirements,
which stipulates that both participants have 500 pilot-in-command hours or 100 hours plus an instrument rating. They
also diligently fundraised the registration fee on their own. Thus, their team,
named “Texas Tailwinds,” was born.
Starting in Virginia, the race
takes them to eight other states and covers nearly 2,500 miles. However, it’s about
more than who finishes first. Pilots must strategize and execute what Air Race
Classic officials refer to as a “perfect cross-country flight.”  |
Jovita Perez-Segovia (left) and Rebecca
Davidson
|
According to the FAA, only six
percent of professional pilots are women. LeTourneau University’s School of Aviation
challenges this stat, since more than double that number of LETU aviation
students are female. The school hopes to encourage even more women to enter the
field. They’re accomplishing that goal, as proven by the Texas Tailwinds—who
serve to inspire young women that, in the words of Davidson, “nothing is out of
reach.”
