When the Sky Had No Ceiling for Pilots

Book chronicles All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race participants helping define a special generation of aviation.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Aviation author Sarah Byrn Rickman tells the story of the All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race from 1947-77 in a new book. Pictured are participants in the 1960 event. [Credit: Air Race Classic]

Key Takeaways:

Sarah Byrn Rickman's new book, "Let's Make a Race of It!", chronicles the All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR), affectionately known as the "Powder Puff Derby," which ran from 1947 to 1977.
The AWTAR was created by women pilots, many from The Ninety-Nines, after WWII to continue flying and proved women's skill and determination in aviation despite challenging conditions like rudimentary navigation.
Inspired by a race participant, Rickman's book preserves the stories of these pioneering women and their "sisterhood," with proceeds supporting The Ninety-Nines' Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund.

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The post-World War II general aviation boom made flying more accessible to many, including women either inspired by or who were members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) and wanted to continue to fly as civilians. Many became members of The Ninety-Nines, the international order of women pilots.

When an opportunity arose for a cross-country flight among the members, one suggested “Let’s make it a race!” and the All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR), affectionately dubbed the “Powder Puff Derby,” was born. You can read about it in a book by pilot and aviation author Sarah Byrn Rickman: Let’s Make a Race of It! The Story of Those Daring Women Who Flew the Powder Puff Derby, 1947-1977.