Great Air Scavenger Hunt

A challenge of both wits and speed, the Great Air Scavenger Hunt is by far one of the most prominent annual air contests. Contestants are given a list of clues to various marked items, hidden on different islands within the vicinity of the Air Race Headquarters (the contest site). The cryptic clues, often written in rhyme, mention details suggestive of the place where the item may be found — a good knowledge of the surrounding locations is essential to winning. The first contestant or contest team back to the airfield first with all the items is crowned winner.

Pilots who wish to enter the Great Air Scavenger Hunt must first be sponsored by one of the local air clubs. The best contest teams include a pilot and a navigator; one flies the plane while the other deciphers the puzzle clues. Resourcefulness is another key to winning, as some items may be difficult to obtain unless the contestants figure out clever strategies, using only what they've brought along in their own planes.

Left: A team participating in the Great Air Scavenger Hunt.

For the last several years, the reigning champion of the Great Air Scavenger Hunt was local cargo pilot Cool Hands Luke. Last year he was found guilty of stealing the answers to the clues to get his string of victories, and has been banned from all future competition.

Right: Crooked contestant Cool Hands Luke, the Great Air Scavenger Hunt's top cheater.

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