Piper Aircraft announced that it is sponsoring a team of dedicated aviators for the 2021 Air Race Classic. The Piper sponsored team, named “Tres Aviadoras” consists of three passionate aviators who seek to inspire and champion women in aviation.
This year’s race will be an Air Derby format, where participants are able to choose their own 5-leg, one-day route. Team members, Elise Wheelock, Captain Olga Custodio and Captain Tammie Jo Shults, will launch their route from Boerne, TX the second week of June. The team will fly a normally aspirated, piston powered, Piper Pilot 100i – the newest addition to the Piper trainer product line up.
The oldest of its kind, the Air Race Classic has long been the lead event in women’s air racing. With pilots ranging in age from 17 to 90 years old, the diverse group of participants represent a wide range of backgrounds, career groups, and flight experience. Each of these participants play a critical function as role models for future aviators.
“Role models, like Elise, Tammie Jo and Olga have each led the charge with their own list of “firsts” in our industry”, said Jackie Carlon, Senior Director of Marketing for Piper Aircraft. “This team truly embraces the legacy that past female aviators have created and they themselves have helped pave the way for a new generation of aviators. Young females need to continue to see more examples of successful women throughout the aviation industry – flying aircraft, working on airplanes as aviation maintenance technicians, and leading global airline operations to inspire and motivate them – it is up to us to continue to mentor the next generation of aviators.”
“I am honored to have the opportunity to participate in this year’s Air Race. I am excited to fly alongside these aviation legends, who are also my role models”, said Elise Wheelock, Piper Aircraft Fleet Sales Representative. “Olga and Tammie Jo have inspired me personally and have helped female pilots everywhere by paving the way with their drive and enthusiasm for aviation. These women are a huge part of the reason I am a pilot today.”
