Handicap Flight

      Soon we will meet Carol, the handicap flight check pilot. The Air Race Classic utilizes a handicap system that allows different aircraft to remain competitive against each other. Looking at the list of participants in this air race, I see their aircraft horsepower ranges from 300 to 140. Carol will assist us in figuring out our airplane's maximum true airspeed to then compare with the data gathered for other racers. The airplane will have on board most items that it will  have during the race, such as our safety kit, water, maps, airplane documents, full tanks, etc. . . . except me. Carol will sit in my seat during the handicap flight.
     The pattern they will fly to calculate the speed looks like this:

     Each leg requires full maximum continous power, maintain level flight, and constant airspeed. No biggy for Mary! Carol will take twelve readings every twenty seconds to record the speed of the plane. If the plane cannot fly at full max power, Carol will remove it from the competitive category.