Adopt-a-Pilot

      As part of the wondrous experience of the Air Race Classic, racers have the opportunity to “adopt” a young pilot. At the terminus in Mobile, Alabama, Mary and I and other racers will introduce eighty girls of ages ten to sixteen to aviation. Each girl will fly with the racers in our airplanes after we finish the race.
     The Air Race Classic and the Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama organized the event, assigning one or two girls to each team. They assigned Tia to us, the Tou Can team, and we have already begun emailing.
      Tia asked introductory questions, such as what we do every day when we do not fly. I replied that I like to cook and write poetry, but it was Mary's response I liked the best because it seemed inspirational for a girl -- of any age: Mary got her first airplane ride at age sixteen and her pilot's license by nineteen, adding that her favorite lyrics are: "Don't believe the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon." I believe that the lyrics, too, encompass the purpose of the Tou Can's mission to encourage girls and women to persevere in achieving their goals. I think of Tia: Will she race in the Air Race Classic some day? Cross your fingers!