������

The Flying Flashes are once again taking on the . ������ will be sending two teams to the competition this year thanks to a generous donation by Vic '71, MBA '74, Ph.D. '06, and Cheryl Petrovic, '74. Vic, who has served in both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army, is passionate about aviation, has experience as a private pilot, and holds a commercial pilot's license, offered his encouragement: “Cheryl and I would like to wish both teams the best of luck in the coming weeks with the competition.”

Traditionally, the Kent State team is comprised of a returning member and a new member to ensure experienced participation. With the addition of a second team, three newcomers will compete this year. Peyton Turner, a member of the 2023 first-place team, returns as the instructor for the Navy team and will partner with newcomer, Alyssa Sheehan. Kelsey Buyansky and Madeline Goussios will be first time competitors on the Gold team.

At the 2023 Air Race Classic, Turner and teammate Laura Wilson brought home four titles: 1st place Overall Competition Class, 1st place Overall Collegiate Challenge Award, 1st place Fastest Cessna Award, and 1st place Fastest Women in Aviation International (WAI) Team. This followed up Kent State’s stellar performance in 2022, when the Flying Flashes came home well-decorated with the 1st place Overall Competition Class, 1st place Overall Collegiate Challenge Award, 1st place Fastest Cessna Award.

This year’s four-day race begins on June 18 in Carbondale, Illinois. The Flying Flashes will complete nine timed flybys at airports in Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas before making their final landing in Loveland, Colorado. Teams will undergo three days of safety briefings prior to the start of the race. There are 49 teams, including 14 university entries, registered to compete in the 2024 Air Race Classic.