The flyby procedures are the way that they start and end the time for each leg of the route. A bunch of volunteer timers sit in a blue tent on the field on a predefined sight line (shown in red on the diagram below), and records the time each plane passes the line. The planes are identifiable from the ground by our large race number decals (9 in our case). When a plane flies the timing line to start or end a leg, they must do so according to a predefined procedure (blue line), with a precise entry point, altitude, heading, position and exit procedure. Because the flybys are flown at altitudes lower than the minimums specified in the Federal Aviation Regulations (in this race they are each 200 or 300 feet above ground, although in previous races we have gone as low as 100 feet), each requires a special waiver from the FAA which we must carry in the plane at all times. What the chart doesn't show you is what it feels like to dive a hot airplane at full throttle down from race altitude to flyby altitude just a few hundred feet above ground in temperatures of 90 or 100 degrees, and hold a precise altitude against the turbulence while the airport rushes to meet you and you race to get to the timing line as fast as possible, with your eyes on a swivel because there are usually several other racers close ahead and behind.... Its the part that the first time racers fear the most, but after the first one they are usually hooked! We'll talk more about it when we've done our first legs tomorrow.
The briefings were all very useful, and ended around lunchtime (except for the first timers who had further briefings in the afternoon!). The photo shows the briefing room, with two of the seven or so collegiate teams in the front row. The youngest person here is probably one of the 18 year old collegiate team copilots - and the oldest is Ruby Sheldon, age 92, still flying and sharp as tack, and copilot for team #16! That's one of the many great things about aviation, you get to have a strong common bond and friendship with people of all ages and generations.
Our row at the briefing - Ethel, Barb Z, (me), Mary, Barb P and Laurie.
In the afternoon, Mary and I went for lunch at TGI's, then ran around doing laundry, Fedexing 25 lbs of non-essential luggage back to the terminus in Frederick (we don't need to be carrying any more weight than necessary, especially with our 147.47 kt handicap!), and going over the route and procedures one last time. Around 3pm the usual afternoon thunderstorm broke out. Florida in June really sucks... This one was so severe that it took out the electricity for the whole area for about 4 hours. The hotel air conditioning went off, computers died, TVs went off, everything was dark.
In previous years, the day before the race was a day of unbelievable tension, with lots of frantically reviewing and rereviewing everything, and worrying about everything to do with the race. This is the third race for Mary and I, and I guess we're now a bit more relaxed. So after the power outage, we worked for a while longer, but then got bored and went out to see what was going on. The answer was.. not much given that the entire area had no electricity. But it all worked out well, as we stopped at the New York Pizzeria for a beer and a slice since they had gas and still could cook - thanks to Mary from Brooklyn for inviting us in and getting wet in the rain!!
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