Photo by Bill Green The Frederick-based Sugarloaf Chapter of the Ninety-Nines is hosting the final destination of the historic 2,000-mile Air Race Classic in June 2010. Some members of the local organization are, from left, Tiffany Ahalt, Tourism Council of Frederick County; Sandra Fox, committee member; Lin Caywood, committee member; Gail Mesa Norman, race public relations coordinator; and Amanda Kolbe, chapter president. Purchase this photo

The Frederick -based Sugarloaf Chapter of the Ninety-Nines is hosting the final stop in the Air Race Classic in June 2010.

The Ninety-Nines is an international organization of about 6,000 licensed pilots from 35 countries. The Air Race Classic celebrates 81 years of all-women transcontinental air racing.

Amelia Earhart and other early women pilots founded the Ninety-Nines in 1929. They took the name of their organization from the 99 charter members of the organization, and Earhart was elected the first president.

The 2,000-mile race begins in Fort Myers, Fla., and ends in Frederick . There will be mandatory rest stops and checkpoints along the way for the 40 planes expected. The race will take place June 22-25, 2010.

"We are honored to have been chosen to host the 2010 terminus of the historic Air Race Classic," said Amanda Kolbe, president of the Sugarloaf Ninety-Nines Chapter and chairwoman of the 2010 Air Race Classic Terminus Committee.

"We want to ensure that over the next year the community, the Air Race Classic and their organizations produce an event worthy of the efforts of those early women pilots."

The Sugarloaf Chapter recently held its first air race planning meeting at Landmark Aviation at Frederick Municipal Airport, where the chapter is based.

"We are a fairly new chapter, formed only three or four years ago, so we're very excited," said Lin Caywood, chairwoman of the air race hospitality committee. "With only about 14 percent of female pilots, it presents a good opportunity to promote women in aviation."

Logistics and the race's economic and cultural impact on the Frederick area were discussed at the recent meeting.

"There will be direct benefits to the airport itself, such as concession sales, fuel, pilot supplies, aircraft rentals, aircraft maintenance and services," said Gail Norman, community liaison and public relations consultant to the group.

"The race also expects to reserve approximately 40 hotel rooms, 15 to 20 cars, as well as banquet and meeting rooms."

The race will also bring the pilots' support teams and friends to explore Frederick , Caywood said.

"It's a real exciting opportunity to showcase Frederick to some pilots who will be coming from overseas," she said.

Norman said Air Race Classic Inc. promotes a national ad campaign for the host city and the publicity will foster an appreciation for the Frederick airport and highlight its importance to the economic and cultural life of the community.

During the race, the Ninety-Nines will host a workshop for regional Girl Scouts at the terminus. The girls will meet pilots and learn about aviation careers.

Plans are being discussed to encourage college teams with established aviation programs to compete for the Collegiate Challenge Trophy during the race.

The Sugarloaf chapter was charted in 2005 with seven members and has since has grown to 14. Members plan to hold a membership drive and Air Race kickoff barbecue at the Frederick airport in June.--

Ninety-Nines members are available to the community as speakers to groups and institutions interested in sponsoring the event or otherwise supporting the Air Race Classic and the civic and charitable mission of both groups.

The Sugarloaf Chapter of the Ninety-Nines meets at 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at the airport or a nearby location. Certified women pilots, their spouses, partners or guests, and any woman interested in exploring aviation opportunities are invited.

For details, e-mail Sugarloaf99s@yahoogroups.com; gailmnorman@yahoo.com; or visit www.ninety-nines.org.