Re-Cap Fun Stats n' more

Well the race has come and gone and the purple plane is safely hangared out of modesty while it undergoes its annual exam. In general the ladies are happy to be home but at the same time somehow feel 'strange' to be back on the ground without a constant eye to weather, sweat, fuel burn, and relentless schedules. It was quite an adventure and the good news if they didn't get enough then there is always NEXT year!'

For the Type A business types here is a recap of the important facts regarding the race ...

During the race the Purple Hearts landed in 9 states and crossed over 2 others for a total of 2720 miles. In re-locating the plane and returning it to its homebase in Connecticut, the team crossed or landed in an additional 13 states representing just a smidge under HALF of the national total (save for territories). The plane covered an incredible 5770 nautical miles over 9 flying days or for the 'flying types' in the audience, 49 Hobbs hours - about a whole years worth of flying for a recreational pilot. The average speed of travel was 135.4 miles per hour overall and 138.8 during the 19 hours and 36 minute race. During ONLY the race, the team burned 1416 pounds of dead dinosaurs (236 gallons of 100LL AvGas) at a total cost of $1041.17 or about $4.41 average per gallon - roughly 11.5 air miles per gallon.


As an ongoing 'joke between the ladies as they flew in the very tight quarters of the cockpit, here is the official list of phrases most often heard during the 4 days of the race:

• That's the bees' knees!
• I'm so hungry for a banana.
• Where's my belly pack?
• Keep that fuzzy fruit away from me!
• The Stratus is overheating.
• We have too much crap.
• Who is that flying underneath us?
• Ohhh YEAAH! (after putting cold towel on our necks)  
• I'm so sick of granola bars.
• Pass me THAT bag ...
• I promise not to look!

Sadly folks, this officially ends the story of the 2016 Purple Hearts. Should you have questions or comments, or are simply interested in possibly racing in the future, drop us a line and we will be sure to tell you all we know or better yet, where to go to get you to the right place. Thanks to our generous fuel sponsors Hartford Jet Center and Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics; Archer II LLC for the use of their purple, proud and fabulous aircraft, our favorite fans, and of course to our worthy charity 'Operation Homefront'. Your collective interest, care, and QUALITY truly will always remain a part of Classic Racer 48, Team Purple Hearts! Thank you all!

Fair Skies and favoring tailwinds,

Teresa, Cary & Denise