Let’s Make a Race Of It
The Riveting Story of a Legendary All-Woman Air Race
It’s 1947, and World War II is over. General aviation is still in its infancy, airports are few and far between, and navigation aids are primitive. Most general aviation airplanes are slow, two-seat trainers, and few have radios. Yet women pilots-including those who had so capably supported the US war effort as WASP (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots)-are eager to fly, despite the rudimentary conditions. When an opportunity arises for a cross-country flight among members of The Ninety-Nines, one of the pilots declares, “Let’s make a race of it!”
That 1947 race kicked off the All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR), affectionately dubbed the Powder Puff Derby. As the race grew over the years, women pilots from all walks of life eagerly competed for top prizes. Follow the story of the AWTAR and the pilots’ challenges and triumphs as they flew through thirty history-making years of this legendary air race.
About the Author
Sarah Byrn Rickman knew at age 5 she wanted to write books. At 13, she read about Amelia Earhart and wanted to fly. A 20-plus year career in journalism — as a reporter/ columnist for The Detroit News and later editor of the Centerville-Bellbrook (Ohio) Times — put her on the brink of her dream. She earned a master’s degree in creative writing and, in 2001, saw the publication of her first book — The Originals: The Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron of World War II.
Sarah now writes upbeat biographies about the gutsy women pilots who flew as WAFS and WASP in World War II. She writes these books for today’s young women – the girls in STEM classes, girls who want to fly and in some way be involved in aviation’s future. There are 6 books in the YA Series.
As for that desire to fly, Sarah earned her Sport Pilot certificate in 2011, flying a sweet little 1940s-vintage taildragger Aeronca Champ—yellow with a red belly.
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