The Palms to Pines airplane race

Sadly, the Palms to Pines all-women airplane race didn't get a lot of coverage over the weekend. Yet, Fran Bera raced in it. Fran Bera! 84 years young. (The Bend Bulletin has an article on Fran, who has been flying since she was 16. http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090816/NEWS0107/908160448/1002/NEWS01&nav_category=NEWS01

http://kohd.com/news/local/137868

KOHD had a very brief mention of it:

Touching down at the Bend Airport, a unique race celebrating it's 40th anniversary. The Palms to Pines airplane race, taking pilots from Santa Monica California to Bend, ended Saturday morning at the Bend Airport. Spectators and participants standing along the runway to watch planes come in. Making the race unique, the planes are all single engine, with a minimum of one hundred horse power and the pilots are all women.

"They love their airplanes and their girls. You know they discuss what kind of engines they have, 'oh you have an O-350, what's your handicap?' And they discuss their shoes. 'Where did you get those fabulous shoes?" said pilot and competitor CJ Strawn.

Originated in 1970 by the Los Angeles Palms Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, organizors say it is the longest running all women's air race. Pilots ranging in age into their eighties.