Lewis University Air Race Classic Team

Team #43 landed safely in Mt. Vernon, IL yesterday afternoon! This is our final destination for the race and we will be here for the next few days. Leaving Arkansas yesterday, we ended up having to dodge some storms and file an IFR flight plan to get us around those storms. We had a fuel stop planned along the way in Jefferson City, MO (KJEF), but enroute to that airport a cell formed above it, and we had to quickly divert to Lebanon, MO (KLBO). It was a quick turn around from there direct to KMVN. Happy to be on the ground at the terminus airport! 🌧️🛬

Team #43 made it Russellville, Arkansas yesterday afternoon and have been there ever since. We spent most of the day yesterday waiting to see if some storms would clear near our next stop, KSTJ. Unfortunately, we had to make the tough call to stay put in Arkansas. Luckily, we have lots of support from many other colleges who made the same weather decision! Still waiting out some IFR weather this morning and waiting to see what our plan for the day will be! ⛈️✈️

The Windy City Flyers made it MaComb, Mississippi just before sunset last night. We flew over 8 hours and 700 miles from KSPA-KDQH-KDCU-KMCB. Along the way to Mississippi, we had some storms popping up that we had to make our way safely around. While we waited it out in AL, we took a group trip to Buc-ee’s! We made it just in time to MaComb before sunset!✈️⛈️🌞

The 2026 Air Race Classic has begun!
Class racer #43 has traveled nearly 500nm from the start, we have flown from
KALN - St. Louis Regional in Alton, IL
KFTT - Capitol City Airport in Frankfort, KY
KSPA - Spartanburg Airport in SC

We will be spending the night in South Carolina and heading to Georgia tomorrow morning! ✈️

The Windy City Flyers are excited and ready to go for tomorrows start of the 2026 Air Race Classic!✈️

Follow us along the route using the link below, Classic Racer #43

https://maps.findmespot.com/s/HM45 /assets

Classic Racer #43 has arrived at the start of the Women’s Air Race Classic in Alton, IL! The race will start on Tuesday June 23 and end on June 26 in Mt Vernon, IL. Over those few days, we will travel more than 2400 miles across the U.S. flying over 14 states, racing over 40 teams, and battling weather along the way.

Racer credentials✅
Airplane credentials✅
Airplane safety check✅

In the days leading up to the race, we have attended safety briefings, gone go kart racing, and attended the takeoff banquet! We are looking forward to the start of the race on Tuesday!✈️🏙️