Flight Instructor at Toughkenamon Flight School, Her Copilot Land in Top 10 After 2,400-Mile Air Race

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Air Race Classic pilots
Image via Cecil Daily.
Lauren Heisey, left, and Melissa Shrewsbury.

When Melissa Shrewsbury, a flight instructor with New Garden Flight Connection in Toughkenamon, and Lauren Heisey competed in their first Air Race Classic, they never imagined they would land in the top 10 of finishers, writes Jane Bellmyer for the Cecil Daily. 

The Air Race Classic is a race for women aviators. In its 45th year, the course took them from Lakeland, Fla. to Terre Haute, Ind. for 2,400 miles of racing. 

In their 1976 Cessna 172M Skyhawk, the pair finished in fourth place out of 32 competitors, a feat that experienced pilots tell them is unheard of for rookies. 

“We just wanted to finish and have no maintenance issues,” said Shrewsbury. “We were just happy to be part of it.” 

Overall, the only maintenance issue they had was running out of the oil they needed, but they were gifted some by another pilot. The duo also received three penalties, but the entire experience served as a learning lesson 

Shrewsbury and Heisey brought home great friendships, as well as a $2,000 prize, medals, certificates, and other souvenirs. 

Read more about Melissa Shrewsbury and Lauren Heisey in the Cecil Daily. 

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