OFFICIAL RULES & GUIDELINES
Organized by: Friends of Ohio Aviation (501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization)
Event Dates: October 1 – October 31
Location: Northeast Ohio Regional Airport (KHZY), Ashtabula County, OH
Purpose: All entry fees directly support the Friends of Ohio Aviation Aviation Scholarship Fund.
Race Course & Timing
Departure & Arrival: The timer begins once a photo is taken at the hold short marking before take-off and the hold short marking after landing. Both will be from Northeast Ohio Regional Airport (KHZY)
Course Waypoints: The aircraft must fly to and photograph all 19 official Ashtabula County Covered Bridges in any sequence chosen by the crew:
- Benetk Road
- Caine Road
- Creek Road
- Doyle Road
- Giddings Road
- Graham Road
- Harpersfield
- Mechanicsville Road
- Middle Road
- Netcher Road
- Olin's (Dewey Road)
- Riverdale Road
- Riverview (Pedestrian)
- Root Road
- Smolen-Gulf
- South Denmark Road
- State Road
- West Liberty Street
- Windsor Mills
Flight Window: Attempts may be flown on any day between October 1 and October 31. Multiple attempts are allowed, but each requires a separate entry fee and form submission.
Photo Submission Guidelines
- Photo Verification: The photographer must capture a clear aerial photograph of each of the 19 bridges.
- Identification: Each photo must clearly show the bridge structure so judges can distinguish and verify all 19 sites.
- Time Verification: Photo at Hold Short marking with time stamp before takeoff and upon landing or digital flight logs (e.g., ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, ADS-B tracks) must include time-stamped metadata verifying the flight date and time interval.
- Best Photograph Contest: Each crew may nominate one (1) photo from their flight to be judged for the Best Photography Award. Entries will be scored by a panel on framing, clarity, artistic composition, and fall foliage representation.
- Send all photos to info@friendsoa.org
Entry & Fees
- Entry Fee: $50.00 Per Team
- Registration Form: A completed registration form and payment must be submitted prior to the flight attempt.
- Beneficiary: Registration fees go toward the Friends of Ohio Aviation Scholarship Fund to support aspiring aviators.
Awards & Prizes- Announced Friday November 6th. Winners will be contacted.
- Speed Category: Best Elapsed Time (Fastest verified time off KHZY, hitting all 19 bridges, and landing at KHZY).
- Artistic Category: Best Covered Bridge Photograph (Judged on photo quality, perspective, and aesthetic appeal).