SPOKANE’S FELTS FIELD SELECTED AS FINISH LINE FOR 2025 AIR RACE CLASSIC
SPOKANE, Wash. (Sept. 17, 2024) – The Air Race Classic (ARC), an all-women transcontinental air race, is returning to Washington and has named historic Felts Field (SFF) as the 2025 race terminus. Situated five miles east of downtown Spokane, Felts Field is the third airport in Washington selected to host a leg of the race since ARC’s inception nearly 50 years ago, and the state’s first airport to serve as the race terminus.
“Over the past 100 years, Felts Field has been host to some of the world’s most iconic aviators – from Charles Lindbergh to Nick Mamer and Dorothy Fowler – and home to some of the most spectacular displays of aviation skill and innovation,” said Ezra Eckhardt, Spokane Airport Board Chair. “The 2025 Air Race Classic not only builds upon this rich aviation tradition, encouraging racers to seek out new horizons, but importantly creates opportunities for the next generation of pilots to refine their craft and connect with fellow aviators.”
The 2025 ARC will begin on June 17 in Fairhope, Alabama and includes 12 predetermined stops spanning 2,106 nautical miles. Prior to the race, each airplane receives a unique handicap to allow all qualified airframe make and models to equitably compete against one another. Once the first plane launches from the start, teams have four days, using daytime visual-flight-rules (VFR), to fly all race legs and cross the terminus finish line in Spokane. The team that beats their handicap by the greatest margin – using weather, winds and other strategies to their advantage – is the winner.
“The race challenges all aspects of aviation: flight planning, navigation, aeronautical knowledge and much, much more,” said Larry Krauter, Spokane Airports CEO. “Completing the course is a tremendous feat, and being able to showcase this level of aviation excellence in our community as this year’s terminus host is truly an honor. We look forward to welcoming racers with the help our local partners and celebrating their achievements at Felts Field in June.”
The ARC is open to women pilots of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels, and includes three entry classes: Competition, Intercollegiate, and Non-Competition. Each team consists of two or more women, with at least one acting pilot or copilot. The basic qualifications to serve as a pilot or copilot of an ARC team include:
The basic qualifications for additional teammates are:
Registration for the 2025 race opens January 2, 2025. For more information visit www.AirRaceClassic.org.
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ABOUT FELTS FIELD (SFF):
Felts Field’s origins trace back to the beginning of the 20th century, as one of the earliest airports established in the wake of the emerging era of aviation. As one of the most popular airfields in the region, it was regularly used for commercial and recreational flying, and was designated as the terminus for the renowned 1927 National Air Race. Today, Felts Field is primarily used for general aviation. Situated along the idyllic Spokane River, the airport features two paved runways, a turf landing strip, and the unique ability to accommodate water landings on the adjacent river. Felts also boasts a 35,000-square-foot Aero Centers FBO facility and several art deco-era motifs visitors can spot upon their arrival. Learn more at https://feltsfield.spokaneairports.net/.
ABOUT THE AIR RACE CLASSIC:
Air Race Classic Inc. is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with a mission of encouraging and educating current and future female pilots, increasing public awareness of general aviation, demonstrating women's roles in aviation, and preserving and promoting the tradition of pioneering women in aviation. For more information, go to airraceclassic.org. Follow Air Race Classic on Facebook.
