WMU News - 2008 Air Race Classic 'flight log'

2008 Air Race Classic 'flight log'

June 30, 2008

BATTLE CREEK, Mich.--Pilots Meghan Burlager and Betsy Taylor represented Western Michigan University in the June 24-27 Air Race Classic, a 2,000-mile women's cross-country event that began in Bozeman, Mont., and ended in Mansfield, Mass., south of Boston.

On their way to Massachusetts, racers made stops in Miles City, Mont.; Aberdeen, S.D.; Mason City, Iowa; Decatur, Ill.; Frankfurt, Ky.; Franklin, Pa.; and Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Below are reports from the two WMU aviators, beginning with their arrival in Bozeman. Click the date for the complete report.

June 30, Mansfield, Mass.--Results are in! We placed second among collegiate teams and 11th overall.

June 28, Mansfield, Mass.--We actually made it to the finish line wth a couple hours to spare!

June 26, Franklin. Pa.--We only finished one leg today, which was frustrating, but that is all most of the racers were able to do.

June 25, Frankfort. Ky.--Pray for good weather Thursday, because Friday looks bad on the northeast coast.

June 24, Aberdeen, S.D.--Not as far east as we had hoped to be, but it'll do for the first day of the race.

June 23, Bozeman, Mont.--We have a 5:15 a.m. wake-up call, and we want to get a good night's sleep. Race starts tomorrow.

June 22, Bozeman, Mont.--Woke up early for drive to Yellowstone. Caught a quick glimpse of a bald eagle and saw a herd of buffalo.

June 21, Bozeman, Mont.--We scouted our collegiate competition today. This year it is only Purdue and Embry-Riddle.

June 20, Bozeman, Mont.--We made it safely into Bozeman. The mountains are absolutely breathtaking out here.

Burlager is a WMU flight instructor from Fraser, Mich., and a December 2007 graduate of the College of Aviation. Taylor is a senior aviation flight science major from McBain, Mich. Both women were competing in their first Air Race Classic.

This is the ninth consecutive year WMU has entered a team in the race. The Broncos won the Collegiate Trophy in 2005 and finished second to Purdue University among collegiate teams in 2006 and 2007. WMU's highest overall finish was fourth place in 2006.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu

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