One of the many ways we seek to accomplish our mission is by continuing the tradition those brave women first started in 1929. Now, as it was then, women pilots represent a very small percentage of total pilots worldwide. The continuance of this race, as well as the many other educational venues we provide, give a visible sign of encouragement and hope to women, young and old, who seek to break the mold and climb to new heights. Many of the young participants, especially those from universities, use this event as a stepping-stone to a career in commercial aviation. The older, long-time racers mentor the first-time participants through our Mother Bird program. This year’s race starts in Lakeland, FL on June 21 and ends in Terre Haute, Indiana on June 24. Join us we celebrate more than 90 years of women’s air racing with the 45th Air Race Classic (ARC), the annual all-women cross-country airplane race.  More than 100 women pilots from around the world are expected to compete in this year's transcontinental air race.