Ideal Aviation CFIs Compete in the 2026 Air Race Classic
Three of our CFIs represented Ideal Aviation in the 2026 Air Race Classic, flying as Team “The Real Housewives” in our Piper Archer.
It was fun and it gave everyone around the hangar something special to cheer for. Seeing our instructors take on a cross-country race was a proud community moment for the school, the team, and everyone who helped send them off.
Ideal Aviation's Air Race Classic team represented the school as The Real Housewives.
Meet Team “The Real Housewives”
The team brought plenty of personality to the ramp. Between the name, the Piper Archer, and the group energy around the race, this was one of those aviation moments that felt very Ideal: serious flying, but with a sense of humor and a lot of support behind it.
The Air Race Classic is a cross-country air race, and this year’s Ideal Aviation team gave us a great reason to gather, take photos, talk airplanes, and follow along as three of our own joined the event.
What Is The Air Race Classic?
The Air Race Classic has roots that go way back in women’s aviation. Women’s air racing began in 1929 with the Women’s Air Derby, and the tradition continued through later races like the Powder Puff Derby before the Air Race Classic picked up the torch in 1977.
Today, it is a cross-country race for women pilots with a format that is less about simply having the fastest airplane and more about flying a smart, well-planned race. Teams fly a multi-day route, each airplane has its own handicap speed, and the goal is to beat that handicap by as much as possible.
That is part of what makes the event so interesting to follow. It is competitive, but it still feels rooted in camaraderie, aviation history, and the fun of seeing women pilots from different places come together for one big summer flying challenge.
The team's Piper Archer ready for the 2026 Air Race Classic.
A Sendoff Worth Remembering
Before the race, the Ideal Aviation community came together for a sendoff. There was food, games, photos, and the usual hangar conversations that happen when pilots, students, families, and friends end up in the same place.
That was probably our favorite part. The race itself was exciting, but the sendoff captured the community side of aviation: people showing up, swapping stories, and celebrating one of aviation’s great events.
The Air Race Classic sendoff brought the Ideal Aviation community together before the team departed.
Thank You To The Aero Experience
A big thank you to The Aero Experience for the photos, coverage, and write-up of Team “The Real Housewives.” We appreciate them helping share this moment with the broader aviation community.
Proud Of Our Crew
We are proud of our CFIs for representing Ideal Aviation and grateful to everyone who helped make the sendoff feel special. Congratulations to Team “The Real Housewives” on taking Ideal Aviation into the 2026 Air Race Classic.
