MTSU Pilots Successfully Complete ‘Challenging’ Air Race Classic 2024

Middle Tennessee State University’s three pilots successfully completed the nearly 2,500-mile Air Race Classic in June, navigating through “tough challenges” during an “incredible” experience that was rewarding both professionally and personally.

Representing the Aerospace Department, rising senior Hailey Harrison of Lakeland and recent alumni Alyssa Smith of Collierville and Rachel Frankenberger of Cisco, Georgia, navigated their way from Carbondale, Illinois, to Loveland, Colorado, in the all-women race featuring nearly 50 teams overall, including 22 collegiate teams.

Flying in one of Aerospace’s Diamond DA 40 aircraft in the four-day event, the Blue Raiders finished 14th overall.

The Air Race Classic is a test of skills, drive and determination. The competitors put safety first and are always at the mercy of Mother Nature.

A professional pilot and flight dispatch double major with a minor in University Honors, Harrison said what she “will take with me throughout my life is the valuable experiences we gained from the race, as well as the comradery we formed as a team.

“This race is unlike anything that is experienced in the training environment, and truly tests your decision-making and skills as an aviator. We were faced with some tough challenges throughout the route in the form of external pressures and weather, but we were able to persevere and finish as a team, which was a huge accomplishment in itself.

“I am excited to see the advancement and experiences we gathered this year be taken into the race with MTSU’s team next year. In 2025, I know that the team selected will be a great one and as a team we will do everything we can to prepare them for the race.”

Harrison will be writing an Honors thesis on the Air Race Classic manual they used during the race.

The veteran from having competed in 2023, Smith said “this year’s race was more difficult than in 2023 — one because of the go or no-go decisions we had to make and the problematic weather. Overall, I’m incredibly proud of our team for safely completing the race this year (only four hours prior to the deadline).

“I have had so much fun and learned so much from competing in these past two air races. I have become incredibly close with my teammates from both years, and I am so grateful MTSU has given me the opportunity to fly the air race twice. Competing has allowed me to learn from new and challenging experiences I might not have when flying within a typical flight training environment, and I cannot wait to see how next year’s team does.”

Frankenberger, a member of the ground crew in ’23, said “it was a valuable lesson to learn to focus on our own race and not let the decisions of other racers affect our performance. We gained more experience and improved our skills. This opportunity was truly incredible, and we were fortunate to meet talented racers from all over the country and fly through a variety of states. It was truly an unforgettable journey and one that we will cherish forever.

“We gained friendships that will last a lifetime. We are thankful for the experiences and memories we made. We are looking forward to next year’s race. We hope our experiences will inspire others to follow their dreams and create amazing memories.”

Aerospace is one of 11 College of Basic and Applied Sciences departments. To learn more, call 615-898-2788 or visit https://aerospace.mtsu.edu.