2026 Air Race Classic: Meet Team 45

By Carmelo Turdo

Air Race Classic teams from across the country began their aerial odyssey across the Midwest and southeastern states with a takeoff celebration Tuesday morning at St. Louis Regional Airport. Forty-two aircraft took off for their first of ten destinations along the route, and their progress can be tracked on the MAProgress site. The race officially runs from Tuesday through Friday, and this year's Air Race Classic has a distinctively Midwestern flair, beginning and terminating in Illinois (see map below). 

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The Air Race Classic is an all-female aviation event that continues the tradition of the Golden Age air races using current flight standards to promote opportunities for women pilots. It is not the wind in your hair speed dash of yesteryear, but a true test of flight planning, navigation and in-flight decision-making as teams plot their course to each waypoint. The teams compete against the speed handicap for their actual aircraft, with the results depending more on precision and adaptability than sheer speed. There are minimum qualifications for entering in the Competition and Intercollegiate classes, while the rules for the Non-Competition class are more flexible. 

The Aero Experience coverage of the 2026 Air Race Classic pre-launch and departure activities includes our interview with Team 45, The Real Housewives of KCPS, during the Friday sendoff party held at Ideal Aviation, St. Louis Downtown Airport. The team - Rebecca Treis, Natalie Bianchino and Sarah Jelliss - are sponsored by Ideal Aviation, St. Louis Downtown Airport, Keith Mueller and the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association.

Rebecca, Natalie and Sarah are all CFIs for Ideal Aviation. They sought out Ideal Aviation for the opportunity to instruct in both Part 61 and Part 141 environments. Rebecca and Sarah are alumni of St. Louis University, and all three completed their CFI ratings at Ideal Aviation. Learn more about them, and why they want to be a part of the 2026 Air Race Classic, in our video. 

The Aero Experience featured Team 45 in our coverage of the 2026 Air Race Classic over the last week, including their sendoff party at Ideal Aviation Friday evening, their arrival at St. Louis Regional Airport on Saturday morning and their takeoff (off to the races) on Tuesday.

We wish Team 45 great success in as Rebecca, Natalie and Sarah display their skills in the memory and legacy of the great Women's Air Derby!