Anything you've ever seen done by men in aviation has already been done by women in the last 90 years, said Peter Van Caulart, co-chair of the terminus committee for the 43rd annual Air Race Classic.

The race - it starts in Tennessee on Wednesday and ends at Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport on Friday - traces its roots to the 1929 Women's Air Derby and marks the 90th anniversary of that historic all-woman air race.

"As an event, it's really about showcasing women's' achievements in the aviation world and the fact that what would otherwise be a non-traditional career choice for women is available, is real and is multifaceted," said Van Caulart Saturday morning from the pilot's lounge at the airport.

While the airport sits just inside the Pelham border with Welland, it's run by those municipalities in addition to Port Colborne and Wainfleet.

Van Caulart said the aviation and aerospace industries are not just about flying. There are many aspects, like airport administration, aeronautics, avionics, flight instruction, maintenance, transport, the military and space program.

"This event really brings all of those together . and it's celebrated by women and for women."

He said by bringing the air race - there are 49 teams and 109 women pilots - to Niagara Central, it piggybacks on the fact that it's the only airport in Canada named for a woman, Dorothy Rungeling.

"She (Rungeling) was an extraordinary ambassador for aviation and for what women could do in aviation in the local area."

Van Caulart said Rungeling's accomplishments were many. In addition to being awarded the Order of Canada, she received the Amelia Earhart Medal, awarded to women of distinction in aviation.

"She was the first to solo in a helicopter in this country . a myriad of things, including her incredible aviation journalism in the 50s and 60s."

A plaque in her honour will be unveiled at the main entrance to the airport, 435 River Rd., on Saturday, one day after the air race ends.

The race gets underway Monday in Jackson, Tenn. with mandatory racer flyby and race start and terminus briefings, flying in Canadian air space meeting and first-time racer clinics.

Planes take off from the McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18 and have to be in Welland by 5 p.m., Friday, June 21.

Van Caulart said there's one Canadian team entered, which has a Niagara connection.

Niagara-on-the-Lake pilot Dewi Saraswati (Asti) Livingston is teamed up with Ottawa's Susan Begg. They'll be in a Mooney 201 M20J.

Asti, as she's known in the Air Race Classic handbook, holds a private pilot certificate in single- and multi-engine land planes, and a single-engine seaplane, with 524 hours logged. She's a movie and television actress and is working on a commercial pilot certificate.

Becoming a commercial pilot is something women can look toward said Van Caulart and others at the airport.

With the percentage of women commercial pilots hovering between six and eight per cent around the world and a shortage of somewhere close to 800,000 pilots predicted over the next 28 years, it could a growing field for women.

"There's a public outreach component to the air race. There will be an aviation career fair for young women and youth on Saturday. It's to engage them in the idea that a career in aviation is within the reach of everyone if they want to pursue it," said Van Caulart.

Saturday will see a number of activities take place at the airport, including a classic car show with the Niagara British Car Club, who are also acting as shuttle drivers for the pilots and the unveiling of a Compass Rose painted on the airport apron. Historic aircraft will be lined up around the Compass Rose.

There's no time frame for when the planes will start to arrive at the airport on Friday, but Van Caulart said people can follow an online link with a map that shows each plane's progress. There's also a link to listen to the radio chatter along the way, too.

"People can choose a team to cheer on," he said, adding the Canadian team of Begg and Asti would be a good choice.

For more information on the air race, see www.airraceclassic.org/ and www.centralairport.ca/air-race-classic.html.

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Nathaniel.Johnson@niagaradailies.com

905-684-7251 | @DaveJTheTrib