This is my second edition to the Zippy Chicks Fly again. Faye Dazen did a super job getting the information into the newspaper, hurray!!! This week is full of items that need to be completed before the race. Telephone calls, e-mails from ARC HQ, getting money ready for the expenses, sponsors letters etc. The plane is the biggest issue, we did get the oil changed today, I also scoured the plane for unnecessary items to lighten the load a bit. Since both Laurie and I will have our I-pads with the whole U.S. low level and VFR (visual flight charts) we will not have to carry the extra 25 pounds of paper. The plane has two GPS units but Laurie insists on bringing her handheld as well. At least the handheld will work if we lose power for some unusal reason. One of the challenges this year is the terrain. Last year we were in fairly level ground, but this year we have some high elevations to deal with Spearfish SD, Rawlins, WY, Borger TX are the highest elevations and we need to be aware of the altitudes we need to fly at without hitting an antenna on top of a hill. I said in my last blog that the airplane flies with KNOTS instead of MPH the difference is 1 kt = 1.150 mph so you can see that when we have to make and get better than 167.87 kts we are going to have to realy push the airplane. Wind does help,but can work against you similar to being in a boat on the water.Altitude is sometimes a problem as the winds can be totally different than on the ground. That is where a weather person that can look at the weather and see the best level to fly in order to achieve the speed you need to maintain and surpass. Weight in the aircraft also is another factor so our clothing should be kept to a minimium. sometimes hard for women to do this trick! .

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