"Nothing is Out of Reach": LETU Women Pilots Make School History

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

“LeTourneau University competing in the Air Race Classic sets a historic precedent for the School of Aviation,” LETU Director of Flight Operations Laura Laster said. “No students have done this before, so we’re learning a lot along the way! I hope that future female aviators in our program will continue competing in this race.”

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.”