Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s School of Aviation is celebrating a decade of participation in the Air Race Classic (ARC), with four accomplished female aviators carrying on the program’s proud tradition in the 2026 competition.
Representing SIU are Bisola Saliu (from Jos, Nigeria), and Josie Boelter (from Lomira, Wisconsin), aboard the Saluki Aero team, along with Grace Gray (from Lakeville, Minnesota), and Sophia Schappe (from Festus, Missouri), flying as the Air Dawgs. The four-day, 2,400-nautical-mile race began at St. Louis Regional Airport in East Alton, Illinois, and concluded at Outland Airport in Mount Vernon, Illinois, challenging competitors to outperform predetermined handicap speeds through careful flight planning, weather analysis, and precise aeronautical decision-making.
The Air Race Classic traces its roots to the 1929 Women’s Air Derby, in which Amelia Earhart competed, and today remains one of the nation’s premier all-women aviation events. This year’s field featured 46 teams, including 23 collegiate teams representing 16 universities.
While Gray returned for her second ARC after competing in 2024, the race marked a first for Saliu, Boelter, and Schappe. Months of preparation, aircraft planning, fundraising, and teamwork culminated in the opportunity to compete alongside some of the country’s most accomplished female aviators.
The competitors reflected on the value of the event beyond the competition itself. Saliu credited SIU’s support system for helping her succeed as an international student from Nigeria, while Boelter, who recently earned her Certified Flight Instructor certificate, emphasized the extensive preparation required. Schappe looked forward to strengthening both her piloting skills and professional network, and Gray noted that lessons in teamwork and resilience from her first Air Race Classic would continue to guide her.
SIU’s participation reflects the university’s long-standing commitment to developing women in aviation. The School of Aviation is home to active student chapters of Women in Aviation International and the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance, while annually hosting Girls in Aviation Day to inspire the next generation of female aviation professionals.
The university has established an impressive record in the Air Race Classic, winning both the Overall and Collegiate Championships in 2015 and earning second-place finishes in both divisions in 2023. SIU provides aircraft and fuel for the teams, while students raise additional funds to offset travel expenses.
With aviation continuing to face significant workforce demand over the coming decades, programs like SIU Aviation are preparing the next generation of professional pilots while providing unique opportunities such as the Air Race Classic to build experience, confidence, and leadership. As SIU marks its tenth year in the race, the program continues to build on a legacy of excellence while inspiring more women to pursue careers in aviation.