The Oklahoma chapter of the Ninety-Nines’s annual Okie Derby Proficiency Air Rally was held on August 19, 2023. The annual event is a fundraiser for the “Wings of the Future” scholarship. Sixteen aircraft participated in the Okie Derby, and each aircraft was required to have a pilot and co-pilot. The goal of each aircraft was to fly the route as close as possible to a handicap time unique to their aircraft and provide a fuel usage estimate for the triangular 204 nautical mile cross-country course. There were identifiers on the ground at each waypoint that had to be documented by each aircraft.
EAA Chapter 1612 members Victoria Stevens and Jerry Calvert flew Jerry’s RV-6 in the Okie Derby and called themselves “Team RV.” Victoria’s job was to fly the GPS route and maintain proper altitude and airspeeds which varied throughout the course. Jerry was co-pilot and monitored flight times and fuel usage and advised Victoria regarding airspeed changes and fuel flow changes.
Team RV’s goals were to fly the route in 1 hour and 42 minutes and use an estimated 12.3 gallons of fuel. Winds aloft were 35 knots and required numerous airspeed and fuel flow changes during the course. They crossed the finish line in 1 hour 41 minutes and 59 seconds, missing the goal time by one second! The actual fuel used was 12 gallons which was three-tenths below the 12.3 gallons estimate goal!
Their proficiency score was 98.77 percent, which earned them first place!
Victoria won four trophies for various categories: First Place Pilot, Best EAA Pilot, Best First Time Rally Pilot, and Best Time Estimate. Jerry won First Place Co-Pilot.
Victoria was in the Young Eagles program and became an active EAA member and volunteer. She received multiple aviation scholarships and has earned her private pilot certificate and a tailwheel endorsement.
Today, Victoria is paying it forward as a Young Eagles pilot, and her excellent piloting skills are supported by the First Place Okie Derby win!
Victoria is an excellent example of how EAA chapters work with youths to promote aviation.
Good job, Team RV!