ted photos Waterproof resident and Natchez native Peggy Tucker, a new pilot, flew in the 24th annual Air Race Classic — an all-women transcontinental air race.

WATERPROOF — Natchez native Peggy Tucker proved that the sky’s the limit when it comes to exploring new hobbies.

The Waterproof resident, business woman, Master Gardener and grandmother can also tack on “pilot” to her resume. Tucker recently followed in the footsteps of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart as she participated in the 2011 Air Race Classic — an annual air race for female pilots.

The 2011 race was June 17 through 21 beginning in Iowa City, Iowa and ending in Mobile, Ala., with stops in nine states in between.

Tucker became interested in flying in 2007 when she and her pilot husband, Charles, purchased a Stearman PT17 — a World War II biplane.

“Our Stearman was flown by the WASP women pilots during the war,” Tucker said.

After the couple purchased the plane, Tucker said she realized she wanted to know more about flying, and especially learn how to land an airplane. Tucker began instruction that year in Monroe.

“We fly off a grass strip behind our house, Myrtle Grove 68LS, and have a hangar for airplane storage,” Tucker said. “I personally fly a Cessna 172 XP, and flew it for my instruction and check ride.”

Tucker said she became interested in the Air Race Classic for the experience and knowledge she would receive, and the fun of meeting others with similar interests.

Tucker met pilot Julie Thomas at a fly-in event. Thomas asked Tucker if she had ever considered flying the Air Race Classic.

“This event was intriguing and I thought perhaps I’d learn so much more just entering the race,” Tucker said. “She’d been a pilot since her college years and had logged over 5,000 hours during her time in the Air Force. I jumped at the chance to be her co-pilot. What did I have to lose — and so much more to gain.”

The team flew Thomas’ Maule M-5 for the race.

Tucker said her husband was elated she would take on such an adventure, while the rest of her family exuded loving caution.

“(Charles) encouraged me all the way, cheering me on with the pilot’s license,” Tucker said. “Aviation doesn’t run in my family, so, all my family had to say was, ‘be careful’ while shaking their heads.”

Tucker said her friends are quite amazed at her new hobby.

“Most women think I’m crazy, saying, ‘Well, it was nice to know you.’ But, overall, I have a very supportive group of family and friends.”

Tucker said each year, the Air Race Classic stops in different cities. Cities bid on having the race stop there.

The general takeoff was a bumpy one for the 2011 Air Race Classic.

“While in Iowa City, the weather turned sour,” Tucker said. “The upper states were stormy.”

Tucker said the race was cut short, skipping the northern states.

“Bummer!” Tucker said. “They changed the route’s start to Alliance, Neb. We were all disappointed to have missed those more northern states.”

Tucker said folks in the towns where the race stopped were friendly and hospitable.

“It was a great opportunity for them to show off their areas and a big boost for the airports and towns,” Tucker said. “Each plane needs fuel and the teams need food and hotels, if they’re to stay overnight. We experienced an outpouring of hospitality everywhere.”

Tucker said most Chambers of Commerce, the local 99’s Clubs (women aviators), some churches and volunteers met the pilots with food, water and transportation.

“We felt like celebrities,” Tucker said. “We made great friends along the way. The statistics show only 6 percent of pilots in this country are women. We’re a small group. Most women participating in this event are happy to meet the other pilots. It was a great opportunity for us all.”

Tucker and Thomas experienced a frightening moment during the race from Great Bend, Kan. to Borger, Texas.

“We thought that was our worst leg,” Tucker said. “After you do your timed flyby, which stops your clock on that leg, we had radio failure. The battery died mid-air. We could not communicate with the tower and lost intercom inside the cockpit. Other planes in the race were in the air at the same time, trying to get in for their flybys also. We had to be very cautious. We were shouting to each other — making sure each of us knew we were out of their way.”

Tucker said she and Thomas both were relieved when their tires touched the runway.

“We were safe on the ground,” Tucker said. “We had friends that heard the tower saying, ‘Classic 13, what are your intentions?’ Losing a battery with no radio communication can be hairy.”

While the pilots thought they had raced that leg poorly, they were awarded for it.

“At the banquet we were so amazed when they called our names for the second place leg prize,” Tucker said. “It was a wonderful surprise.”

The next mishap grounded the team’s plane when their instruments red lined, showing the aircraft was operating at the limit of its capacity, in El Dorado, Ark.

“We were disappointed to have to leave our team plane there and hitch a ride from my husband in my Cessna on to Mobile for the terminus,” Tucker said. “Our placement on the roster was ‘incomplete’ which meant we were not in the race any longer. All in all, we had flown the race, made great decisions to ground the plane and made it to the terminus for the final celebration events.”

Tucker said participating in the race can be a very emotional experience for the pilots.

“Knowing that you entered the race and made it through, along with all the others before you, like Amelia Earhart since the 1929 PowderPuff Derby — Wow. Exhilarating!”

Tucker said she is thankful for the navigational tools that the original pilots didn’t have. “And having the weather at your fingertips is a plus,” Tucker said.

For women who are considering studying for their pilot’s license, Tucker says to just go for it.

“Don’t wait, do it now,” Tucker said. “I turned 56 in March. I’m a wife and grandmother with a full schedule of activities besides aviation. If I can do it, anyone can.”

Tucker said potential pilots can start by calling the Adams County Airport.

“The manager can guide you to the right instructor for you,” Tucker said. “It may take a while to find the instructor that you ‘click’ with, but don’t give up. You will not regret it.”

Tucker’s 6-year-old grandson is inspired by Tucker’s newfound passion.

“He tells me he’s going to be a pilot one day, when he’s bigger, of course,” Tucker said. “That thrills us as grandparents. Everyone should experience it if they have a desire at all to do so. It’s a great feeling.”