About The ARC Air Derby

Air Race Classic, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to:

•  Encouraging and educating current and future women pilots
•  Increasing public awareness of general aviation
•  Demonstrating womens roles in aviation
•  Preserving and promoting the tradition of pioneering women in aviation

The ARC fulfills its mission in many ways—with the traditional all-women, 4-day cross-country air race and now with the ARC Air Derby. The ARC Air Derby provides an additional opportunity for women pilots around the world to challenge their piloting, flight planning, and navigation skills in a fun, 1-day event format.

The ARC Air Derby was created in 2021 as an alternate event when the traditional race was cancelled for the second year in a row due to the ongoing pandemic. It was a great success and many contestants encouraged the ARC to make it an annual event. Like the traditional race, the ARC Air Derby is a VFR flight flown by a Team of at least one women pilot and one other pilot, male or female.

The ARC Air Derby is open to any airplane under 12,500 lbs., including light sport, experimental, powered glider and turbo-charged, that has the range to complete the minimum leg lengths. The ARC Air Derby is flown on a single day within a date range published by the ARC. Each Team designs their own route, usually in their local area, that meets the specifications in the ARC Air Derby Rules. The Team then estimates the time it will take them to fly each leg as well as the entire route, and then strives to fly it as close to their estimated time as possible following the ARC Air Derby Rules. Routes can now be flown at night!

Prizes are awarded for the closest time estimates for each leg and the entire route at a virtual banquet a few days after the last flying day.

Interested in more information? See the list of qualifications for entry, or the frequently asked questions. Or send an email to ARC General Information.