EAA AirVenture Cup Race Now Accepting Applications for 2016 Race

March 3, 2016 – Applications for participation in the 2016 EAA AirVenture Cup Race are now available online. Pilots interested in participating in this year’s event may begin the application process through the newly designed website.

The 19th running of the AirVenture Cup Cross-Country Air Race is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. CDT on July 24, and will follow the established route from Mitchell, South Dakota to Wausau, Wisconsin. Several intermediate turning points create a course of more than 400 nautical miles. The race is open to a variety of pilots and aircraft, from sport pilots to astronauts, and J-3 Cubs to Turbine Legends.

Interested participants are encouraged to submit their application online. Applications will be accepted through June 15, 2016.

The event begins on Friday, July 22, with pilots arriving from around the country to coincide with Media Day, providing media flights and interview opportunities. On Saturday, July 23, race participants in partnership with Mitchell Municipal Airport will host an airport open house and EAA Young Eagles Event, where kids between the ages of 8 and 17 can experience aviation first hand through free airplane rides.

Race launch is scheduled for Sunday, July 24 at 9 a.m. The AirVenture Cup is a timed race, with participants competing against the clock. Aircraft and pilots are grouped into classes based on their experimental or production certification, engine size, induction type, and landing gear configuration to keep every aircraft competitive. Each class has first, second, and third place awards. All event activities are weather dependent.

To access a race application, learn more about the race or about becoming a sponsor or volunteer, visit  the AirVenture Cup Race website.