50 planes in
statewide air race

Teams from 22 states will
compete in a two-day air race
across the state

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Fifty aircraft will roar skyward from the reef runway on Saturday and streak past Waikiki to begin a two-day, seven-island air race, reminiscent of the historic Dole Air Derby of 1927.

"It's probably going to be the largest air race this year, including some that have been operating on the mainland for 15 or 20 years or longer. We probably attribute that to the attraction of Hawaii," said Greg Marshall, who flies in several mainland races a year.

"The Great Hawaiian Air Race" takes off Saturday morning.

From 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Honolulu Airport's reef runway, 1940s-era aircraft and later models will leave at 30-second intervals, headed to Molokai, Lanai and Maui.

The planes will return Sunday by way of the Big Island and land at Ford Island.

More than half the entries are from the mainland, with 22 states, including Hawaii, represented.

Funds raised will benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hawaii, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening diseases.

Race participants will spend Saturday night at Hana, Maui. The more than 125 pilots and crew members will be treated to a luau/barbecue at a ranch.

An aerobatics exhibition will grace skies over Hana at sunset.

Early Sunday, the race will continue to the Big Island, then work its way back to Oahu.

After Ford Island landings Sunday, participants will visit the Arizona Memorial and battleship Missouri.

Sunday also will feature an awards banquet at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, with more than 30 awards.

Taking part will be six active or recently retired airline pilots.

TWA's Barry Schiff, a well-known aviation author, and his son, Paul, will compete in separate aircraft.

Altogether, there will be seven father/son teams, two brother/

brother teams and one father/

daughter team, five women teams and eight husband/wife teams.

Honolulu resident Aimee Kuprash, step granddaughter of Art Goebel, winner of the 1927 Dole Derby, will fly.

"We've designed the race to appeal to all levels of pilot skill," said Hank Bruckner, president, General Aviation Council of Hawaii. "Pilots can race in the handicapped speed category, in the proficiency category, or both."

Into the blue yonder

Here's the schedule for "The Great Hawaiian Air Race:"

SATURDAY

8:30 a.m.: Takeoff from Honolulu Airport's Reef Runway.
1 p.m.: Arrival deadline at Hana, Maui, by way of Molokai and Lanai.
5 p.m.: Aerobatics show over Hana.

SUNDAY

8:30 a.m.: Start of Race Day No. 2 from Hana Airport. Planes fly to Big Island and swing back to Maui, Molokai and Oahu's Windward side and North Shore.
1 p.m.: Land at Ford Island.