Now Available!
Let’s Make a Race of It!
The Story of Those Daring Women Who Flew the Powder Puff Derby, 1947 – 1977
It’s 1947, and World War II is over. General aviation is still in its infancy, airports are few and far between, and navigation aids are primitive. Most general aviation airplanes are slow, two-seat trainers, and few have radios. Yet women pilots—including those who had so capably supported the US war effort as WASP (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots)—are eager to fly, despite the rudimentary conditions. When an opportunity arises for a cross-country flight among members of The Ninety-Nines, one of the pilots declares, “Let’s make a race of it!”
That 1947 race kicked off the All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR), affectionately dubbed the Powder Puff Derby. As the race grew over the years, women pilots from all walks of life eagerly competed for top prizes. Follow the story of the AWTAR and the pilots’ challenges and triumphs as they flew through thirty history-making years of this legendary air race.
A few words from Sarah Byrn Rickman:
That I write about the WASP — the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II — is no secret.
For four incredible years, thanks to the influence of the WASP, I flew this little Aeronca Champ taildragger that I dearly loved. It is yellow with a red belly. Pictured at left: me and the Champ, November 15, 2010, the day I did my cross-country solo.
In my wildest dreams I fly a P-51 like my heroines, the WASP of the Ferry Command.
I asked Jenny Hancey, my graphic designer to create the logo at the top of this site for me — an old fashioned pen drawing a P-51 in flight. “Flight to Destiny” is borrowed from my WAFS novel of the same name — because we are allowed to dream.
So I invite you to come along and dream with me. More WASP books are coming as I do my darnedest to tell their incredible stories.
Learn more on Sarah’s Blog
New book from Sarah Byrn Rickman
Cornelia Fort WAFS Pilot Earns Sarah a Silver!
