LETU Racers Message to Supporters: From the 2022 Team!
WHO ARE THE LETU RACERS?
The LETU Racers are the LeTourneau University Women's Air Race Team. Our team exists to showcase who we are at LeTourneau University and our exceptional flight training program! LeTourneau University has entered the Air Race Classic in 2015, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2023. We've also entered the Air Race Classic Derby multiple times. In 2025, two of our teams were placed first and second in the event, and another of our teams placed fourth!
We plan to fly a Cessna 172S Skyhawk in the 2026 race. The Skyhawk is very reliable, loaded with electronics to help our navigation and weather monitoring, and a great overall airplane to race.
For more information and updates, visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/LETUAirRace/
Flight Crew
Megan Fessler (Team Pilot) – Megan grew up in San Antonio, Texas and started flying during high school. Her family has been involved in aviation for a very long time! She first was interested more in culinary pursuits, but eventually she felt called to fly airplanes. She transferred to LeTourneau University and has been flying ever since. She is very excited to race in this year's race!
Kierstyn Pierce (Team Co-Pilot) – Kierstyn grew up in Virginia and watched planes as she grew up at the local airport. She also joined a glider club as a high school freshman, securing her love for aviation. Her goal is to become a missionary aviator and bring hope to those in the farthest reaches of the world. She's extremely excited to race in this year's race with her pilot, Megan Fessler, from the Air Race Classic 2025 Derby!
Administrative
Claire Key (Ground Support) – Claire Key grew up in Delaware and Florida and graduated from LETU, next working as an assistant chief flight instructor for the University. She's competed in several past Air Race Classic events and is excited to help as ground support!
Laura Laster (Faculty Advisor) – Laura Laster is a 2004 graduate of LeTourneau University who has worked as a flight instructor, dispatcher, survey pilot, and operations manager at Dynamic Aviation and at LeTourneau University as former Director of Flight Operations. A native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Laura is married and has two children. She is currently Assistant Professor and Chief Dispatch Instructor in the College of Aviation and Aeronautical Science and completed a Master’s degree in Commercial Aviation in December 2019. She is excited to mentor the LeTourneau University Women’s Air Race Team in future races after flying as Team Co-Pilot in the 2019 Air Race Classic. She has her Airline Transport Pilot - multiengine certificate along with several other FAA certificates.
- Support the Team
- Individual Giving
- Team Sponsorships
What is the Air Race Classic?
The Air Race Classic is an annual all women’s air race approximately 2,400 miles in length. The competition objective is to fly the “perfect cross country.” Each aircraft is given a “handicap” groundspeed. The contestants who beat their personal handicap by the largest margin win the race. The race dates back to the 1920s when air racing opened to female competitors, some of whom included Amelia Earhart, Louise Thaden, and Ruth Nichols.
"The race made me a better pilot by strengthening my communication skills... I had never competed in the Air Race Classic before and I now know why the other racers say it will make you want to keep racing. The experience is like no other, and while it may be testing at times it is also a great time when spent with great friends."
-Morgan Rosenberger
How can I follow along with the team?
Please follow us on Facebook for racing updates and more information about our progress toward this year's Air Race Classic! https://www.facebook.com/pg/LETUAirRace/
Individual Giving Levels
$40 - Chow Time
Pay for one racer's meals for one day during the Air Race Classic.
$75 - It's a Rental!
Sponsor one day of a rental car for the time before/after the race during pre- and post-race activities.
$100 - Good Night's Sleep
Pay for a night in a hotel along the race route.
$150 - Nifty Numbers
Cover the cost of our racing numbers on the airplane.
$165 - Practice Makes Perfect
Sponsor an hour of our flight time practicing before the race.
$200 - Fill it Up!
Pay for the fuel to power our aircraft on one of the legs of the Air Race Classic.
$300 - Fees, Fees, Fees
Help cover the LeTourneau University team's entry fee into the Air Race Classic Collegiate Division.
Corporate & Individual Sponsorships
Our team will partner with you or your organization and thank you with public recognition and other experiences! Contact the College of Aviation main phone number for full details on how to partner with us.
Gold Level ($5,000)
When you give at our highest level, we will put your name or company logo on our team airplane flying in this year's race. You will receive everything listed in all other levels.
Silver Level ($2,500)
When you give at our silver level you will receive everything at the bronze level and a flight with one of the LETU racers in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk. You will also receive two of our team t-shirts.
Bronze Level ($1,000)
When you give at our bronze level you will receive everything from the blue level and a tour of the Abbott Aviation Center at East Texas Regional Airport.
Blue Level ($500)
When you give at the blue level you will receive a race team t-shirt and a post on Facebook in the weeks leading up to the race to thank you for your generous donation to our team.
