Three female pilots from Kent State University College of Aeronautics and Engineering’s professional pilot program secured a in the 2024 , showcasing their aviation skills across Ohio's skies.
Unlike the traditional , the ARC Air Derby allows teams to create their own routes, completing five legs of at least 65 nautical miles each in a single day between Sept. 28 and Oct. 6. Prior to the race, each team submits their expected times for each leg. The overall winner is determined by comparing each team's planned times to their actual flight times.
Flying under the team name “Lyss and Luce Flying with Goose,” Madeline Goussios ‘23, Alyssa Sheehan ‘24, and Lucy Altwies, a sophomore professional pilot student, were among 15 teams competing in this year’s ARC Air Derby. Their chosen route highlighted other collegiate flight programs in Ohio, beginning at Kent State University Airport and proceeding to Ohio University Airport, Clermont County Airport (University of Cincinnati), Ohio State University Airport, Wood County Airport (Bowling Green State University), and returning to the Kent State University Airport. This route was a total distance of approximately 500 miles, which the team completed on Oct. 3.
"The Derby challenged us to apply our cross-country skills to be the most accurate that we could be," Goussios said. "It was fantastic to see all the other Ohio flight schools and to say hi!"
Their precision and teamwork paid off. The Kent State alumnae and student secured a fifth-place finish overall and won the "Favorite Team Name" category.
For Altwies, the derby offered a chance to expand horizons. "The three of us put our heads together to have an adventure across Ohio," she said. "It was just what we needed to get out of the local area and explore some new airports!"
Goussios and Sheehan are no strangers to competitive air racing. Before joining forces with Altwies for the ARC Air Derby, both pilots showcased their skills in the prestigious Air Race Classic earlier in the summer, with Sheehan’s team taking first place in the collegiate division. Their success across both competitions highlights the depth of talent nurtured at Kent State’s professional pilot program and the versatility of these aviators in adapting to various challenges.