ARC Derby Registration Opens September 1st!
September 1, 2025
Did you have fun with the traditional Air Race Classic in June? Were you not able to make it? Do you have a day to go fly between October 1st-14th? Come join the fun with the 5th Annual ARC Air Derby!
Registration Opens September 1st!
What is the ARC Air Derby?
An opportunity for pilots around the world to challenge their piloting, flight planning, and navigation skills in a fun, 1-day event format.
Teams consist of at least 2 pilots (one must be a female pilot or female student pilot). This is different from the traditional annual cross-country air race, where teams must consist of only female pilots. Click here to see if you qualify.
How does it work?
Each Team designs their own route based on certain criteria. The Team then estimates the time it will take to fly each leg and the entire route, and then strives to fly it as close to their estimated time as possible.
You can fly almost any airplane!
Open to any airplane under 12,500 lbs, including light sport, experimental, powered glider and turbo-charged, that has the range to complete the minimum leg lengths.
When is it?
Teams can fly their route anytime between October 1st-14th.
Click here to find out how to enter! Registration closes September 26th at 1800 EDT.
See the list of qualifications here for entry or the frequently asked questions. Or send an email to ARC General Information: info@airraceclassic.org.
What the contestants said from previous years:
"A fun challenge that was a departure from how we normally fly. A great excuse to brush up on some rusty skills!"
"Adding in the required landing on a leg was an extra fun challenge. It forced us to think about the timing of a process that we otherwise just do."
"Planning the route and the time estimates offered a creative challenge. Flying the race precisely on the route and crossing the points was a challenge."
"No need to handicap and no requirement to fly the plane at full power especially for planes that were not built to fly at full power for long periods."
"We learned so much through this Air Derby! Using latitude and longitude for waypoints was a new experience! I learned more about ForeFlight and will make better use of this tool now! Our experience in preparing for the Derby paved the way for revising personal minimums."
"I truly enjoyed the experience and would participate in the Derby again! It was a boost to my confidence!!"
Grab a friend and join us to explore the wonders right in your own backyard!