Women pilots represent a tiny percentage of the U.S. pilot population. After 90 years of women’s air racing, we account for just 7%. Progress to 50/50 is slow. There are drawbacks to this disparity. Circa. 2018: An airport line guy is positive that I need assistance adding oil to my engine on the way to the Air Race Classic start. After successfully adding oil to my engine, he reminds me not to throw away the reusable oil funnel. There are advantages too. Scholarship money earmarked women-only, associations dedicated to helping women in aviation, and the annual Women’s Air Race Classic.

Today we have almost all of the same opportunities as our male pilot counterparts. We just don’t “look” like pilots. The Air Race Classic breaks stereotypes today just as it did in 1929. 100 women adding oil to their airplanes (by themselves) is more powerful than one women successfully adding a quart. It’s an opportunity for children to see women pilots fly exciting airplanes and ask the race pilots questions. For me, the best part of air racing is spending time with 100 female pilots, being just one of the girls, and for one wonderful week out of the year, not being unique. During this one week in June, the first question I’m asked is “what are you flying?” That’s a welcome change.