The 39th Annual Hayward to Laughlin Proficiency Air Race

The Hayward Proficency Air Race, the longest continually held air race event of its type of in the United States, is set for Friday, May 14, 2004.

HAYWARD, CA (PRWEB) January 2, 2004 --The Hayward Air Race, the longest continually held event of this type in the United States, is set for Friday, May 14, 2004. The proficiency event offers aviators the opportunity to demonstrate their basic pilot skills of fuel planning and cross-country navigation without the use of advanced navigation equipment.

The actual racecourse is announced the day prior to the race. The course consists of two legs, each approximately 250 nautical miles. The first leg extends from Hayward (HWD) to Bakersfield, CA (BFL). The second leg extends from Bakersfield to Bullhead City, AZ (IFP). Each race leg contains multiple checkpoints, which must be visually identified. Prior to departure from Hayward each racer turns in estimates of their times and fuel consumption for each leg of the race.

Without the use of GPS, Loran, DME, RNAV or Digital Fuel Flow Meters, pilot teams are scored on their ability to precisely predict their flight times and fuel consumption enroute to the two required landing points. Racers 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.

The race is open to pilots of single and multi-engine piston aircraft with a minimum range of 400 miles plus fuel reserve. Student pilots may participate if an appropriately rated flight instructor accompanies them. Copilots/navigators need not be licensed or be a pilot to participate. The basic entry fee of $325.00 includes pilot and co-pilot registration, two nights at the Ramada Express in Laughlin, awards banquet and weekend-long access to the hospitality suite.

The Hayward Air Race is a non-profit organization that promotes aviation safety through competition in skills-based events, organizes the annual Hayward to Laughlin Proficiency Air Race. The race is also supported by Alameda County, Bakersfield and Las Vegas Chapters of the 99's, the International Association of Women Pilots. Corporate sponsors include: City of Hayward, Ramada Express, Trajen Flight Support, Zanette Aircraft Insurance Center, Budget, King Schools, David Clark Company Inc., Bruces Custom Covers, Jet Blue Airways, Sportys Pilot Shop, Meadows Field, Chevron Aviation, Inns of America, Air Chart Systems, AirPlan, National Airlines, Airguide Publications, Oregon Aero, Trade-A-Plane, AEROX, Approach Aviation, Bay Helicopters and AVEMCO.

Note: Pilots will be departing HWD (pending weather) at approximately 9:00 A.M. on Friday morning, May 14th. This will be the perfect time for photographs. For interviews with Air Race Teams we suggest you arrive at least an hour before takeoff.

For more information, visit the Hayward-Laughlin Proficiency Air Race web site at: http://www.hwdairrace.org
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