DATE           LOCATION                    NOTES (Full report follows)

18 Jun 05      Lafayette , IN (LAF)      Day 3 - Purdue University Airport

Lafayette , Indiana

First thing in the morning we went out to the airport to finish the inspections on the airplane -- and of course to take ‘a few pictures'. We then rented a car, went to O'Charlies at Tippicanoe Mall for lunch, and then took a power shopping walk through the mall. (Seems we both like shoes and there were several sales in progress, so we helped the local economy.) In the evening we attended the “Taste of Tippicanoe Festival,” which was taking place just a few blocks from the hotel.

Lafayette also has “The Frog Follies” throughout the city. Artists have painted the various frogs and each will be auctioned off for charities later this year. (Similar to the ‘Flamingos' in Miami Beach or the ‘Cows' in Chicago .)

DATE           LOCATION                 NOTES (Full report follows)

19 Jun 05      Lafayette , IN (LAF)   Day 4 - Purdue University Airport

Lafayette , Indiana

Today we had an early (9 AM) appointment to flight test the airplane so that they could figure out our handicap, but after a long wait we were rescheduled for Monday 7:30 AM. (Oy vey!) Purdue University arranged an airport cookout for the community and for the Racers. They had several F18s, a P51, and Beech 18 to fly in and they were also providing young eagle flights for the kids. Is was nice to see the community involvement in this event. For the racers they arranged 727 simulator rides – Awesome!!!

The afternoon was spent in a mandatory racers clinic, where they reviewed the rules, fly-by instructions, answered questions, discussed scoring, etc.

Dinner was a delightful take-off banquet in one of Purdue's hangers. The Purdue University students honored Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASPS), Powder Puff Derby Racers, and other women in aviation that paved the way for the aviatrix of today.