By Robbie Culver
Pilots are a particular bunch. We are our own worst critics, overanalyze every flight we make, and are constantly striving for perfection. I’m still waiting to make that perfect flight, personally. So competing against ourselves is just taking it to the next level — fly precisely, on speed and on course — and land on the dot!
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is certainly the highlight of the summer for every aviation geek. For pilot Joelene Smith, attending her fifth AirVenture as pilot in command is just part of a super cool and fun year. She said her flight up this year was about two-and-a-half hours from Avon, Indiana, just outside of Indianapolis, where she is based at Hendricks County Airport-Gordon Graham Field (2R2).
“Nice smooth flight up with beautiful weather,” she said. “Hit the opening bell at 12 noon on Thursday when Fisk opened up. Get in line, fly the speed (90 knots), fly (over) the railroad tracks, make ATC happy, and land on the dot!” See? Like I said …
Joelene flies a 1978 Bonanza A36 that she purchased in 2017 and describes herself as the “caretaker of this beautiful machine.” As any aircraft owner will tell you, it takes “a lot of effort and time and money to help keep her running.” Even after 46 years of use, her Bonanza is “flying beautifully.”
As if flying the Fisk arrival wasn’t enough, earlier this summer she competed in the 47th annual Air Race Classic from Carbondale, Illinois, to Loveland, Colorado, going the long way ’round. This year was her second time as a racer. For those who do not know, it is a “point to point to point long-distance race” about 2,500 nm over four days, all VFR, and flown with a handicap system. Participants (all women!) are essentially racing against their own speed, and whoever can fly faster than their own handicap speed is the one who wins. There, now you know!
“This year we were about the middle of the pack, which is good because we finished,” Joelene said. “We learned a lot and had a lot of fun!”
The race has its roots in the 1929 Women’s Air Derby. Women weren’t allowed to race in the air racing events of the times, so they started their own. It became known as the “Powder Puff Derby” following a quip by Will Rogers, and it has grown from its early roots into the Air Race Classic event it is today.
As for her Bonanza, Joelene said, “Every year I try to do another little tidbit. Add something special or upgrade something. She has a lot of miles on her, but she flies great! This year while I am here at AirVenture, I am going to shop around for some new avionics. Do something spiffy for her panel!” (Watch out vendors!)
Joelene earned her private pilot certificate in 2011 and her instrument rating in July 2021, and she has flown the A36 about 800 hours. Her total time is just over 1,000 hours.
“I like flying for fun,” she said. “I like long distance flying, and I like getting up and seeing the world from a different viewpoint.” It is the author’s sole personal opinion that Joelene Smith is doing exactly that. Especially the fun part!
For more information on the Air Race Classic, visit AirRaceClassic.org. And women, you should give it a go! As Joelene said, “It’s a different kind of flying. It is full throttle. You push your abilities into a new area, and it is a support network of women pilots who understand the aviation bug.”