Thunderbird 150 Air Race - Course Information

This will be a 161sm+ cross country race with 4 turn points.
Racers will start fastest to slowest to avoid passing.

The race is being held on Sunday to allow travel on Saturday and an early start in the cool morning on Sunday.
This is a long weekend, so make the best of it.

Note that Arizona is not on Daylight Savings Time. In summer, consider Arizona to be on the same time as Califoria.

Early Check in 1800 hours at AZ82 Mogollon Airpark pot luck dinner (provided by the residents),
Free Food! At the Clubhouse at SE corner of airport.
AZ82 is a private airpark, contact Dennis Collins to obtain a waiver to sign before arrival.
602-882-2010 - Luscombepilot-at-Hotmail.com
Or use this link
We have several residents that have volunteered rooms to stay the night and at least one hangar. Contact me for details

Race day check in at P14 office beginning at 0700
Mandatory pilot briefing at 0800 in P14 office.
First aircraft launches at 0900! (This is ealier than most races - you WILL want to get on the course early before the thermals cook up)
Please have all aircraft fueled and preflighted prior to the brief.
Entry Fee.... $30.00
Awards and dinner after the race.

If you choose to stay in Holbrook before or after the race, there is a Best Western about 1/4 mile on Route 66, an easy walk.

928-524-2611

Recently remodelled rooms should start around $85. We're working on a lower group rate.
Denny's is across the parking lot.
Travellodge and Motel 6 are nearby and less expensive.

You may contact me (Dennis Collins) at 602-882-2010.

A word about the SARL membership requirement:

As stated all racers must be SARL members, a condition of the insurance policy.

We recognize, however, that some folks just want to come out for the day or maybe this is a first time race experience and you don't want to buy into the League (just yet).

For this reason we have a "provisional membership" which will make you "member for the day".
The provisional membership will be $10.00 in addition to the race entry fee.

If you choose to use the provisional membership option, register for the race using the Non-SARL member link . You will be charged at the race along with your race entry fee.

RACE RULES AND SAFETY INFORMATION

1. All aircraft will be started with the fastest registered speeds launched first in order to prevent passing on the course. All aircraft will be launched from Holbrook AZ airport (P14), fly the pattern depending on the active runway according to the briefing details below, and the mandatory 0800 Race day briefing

2. Holbrook UNICOM is 122.8. The race frequency outside of airport CTAF airspace is 122.75
Aircraft should transmit in the blind on the appropriate frequency when on top of a turn, e.g. "Race Two Six, Turn Two".

3. You will be racing against the clock, not another aircraft.

4. All aircraft must pass on the outside at the turn points.

5. Racers must turn on top any turn airport point airports at least 1000 ft AGL. Non-airport turn point altitudes are governed by the FARs.
Heads up for non-race traffic! If traffic is in the pattern at a turn airport at the time you approach, you have a choice to swing wide of the traffic pattern or climb well above the pattern altitude. The airport turn observers will help with traffic information on receipt of your turn approach call.

If you are observed passing through the airport traffic pattern at a low altitude you will be disqualified.

6. All pilots: Check your maps to find the closest airports to the race course (private fields included). KNOW THEM FOR YOUR SAFETY.

7. KEEP YOUR RADIO TUNED TO RACE FREQUENCY (122.75). IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, CLIMB AND COMMUNICATE!

8. When you execute a turn, announce your position on top the turn, e.g. "Race Two Six, turn two.", and a final call before crossing the finish line e.g. "Race Two Six, finish, two miles". The finish call is particularly important to give the timers a heads up that you are approaching, and who you are.

9. Make your calls crisp, clear and short to keep radio traffic to a minimum.

10. When at finish: Cross the finish line on the dirt Rwy 29 "numbers", turn right to remaining east of the
Rwy 03/21 centerline. Climb above pattern altitude and orbit north of the airport for cool down.

11. After finish and cool down: Enter Holbrook pattern (pattern altitude 6300 feet). Runway 03/21 is left traffic.

This will be a busy time. Watch out and make standard uncontrolled field pattern radio calls.

12. The race runs counter-clockwise from start to finish. Entrants will be started according to the Max Speed stated on their entry forms, fastest first. This start order is used to prevent passing.

Stuff happens, however, and if any event occurs so that a racer needs to pass the aircraft in front of them, they must pass on the outside of the turns – this would be the right side of the aircraft being passed in a left turn, for instance. The passing aircraft must maintain visual contact at all times! Remember the FARs state that the aircraft being passed has the right of way.

13. As stated, all FARs must be observed during the race. In particular, the minimum safe altitude FAR bears review:

Sec. 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General.

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.

(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

14. HAVE FUN RUNNING THIS RACE, BUT KEEP IT SAFE!
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Posted by Dennis Collins