Woods heads up people moving

When they learned the National Championship Air Races were coming to Roswell, members of the New Mexico Pilots Association (NMPA) were excited to help ensure success.

Joyce Woods, an NMPA member and pilot from Albuquerque, spoke to the Roswell Rotary Club about moving people around the Sept. 16-20 Air Races, which are expected to attract 75,000-80,000 fans.

She said that to support the transition of the races from Reno, NMPA volunteers brought experience from hosting various aviation events statewide. Most served as “Wing Walkers” recruited by NMPA’s Chet Leach, helping safely move race and display aircraft, while others drove trams or worked in the VIP Chalets.

Joyce Woods

 

Joyce will lead an expanded People Mover operation at this year’s Air Races.

“While the huge Roswell ramp offers incredible potential for future event growth, it is many times larger than it was at Reno. The Reno Air Racing Association has secured nine Trams (vs. five last year) to help attendees get off their feet,” Joyce said.

“Thus, more volunteers are needed this year to manage the expected crowd increase, especially on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — Sept. 18, 19, and 20. There will be defined stops and regular service serving Parking and RV lots, a main ramp loop, and the Pits, in addition to handicap shuttles.”

 

Addressing the Roswell Rotary Club, Joyce thanked 2025 volunteers, noting that “your members stepped up to make it happen last year!  You tackled first-year challenges, and many of you worked the entire week.”

Volunteers are being recruited beyond the Roswell Rotary, but Joyce said she’s “counting on you to return as the experienced core.”

Subtle changes should make it easier and more fun with scheduled breaks, a volunteer break tent, and so forth, she added.

Joyce stressed the importance of the People Mover team to ensure return visitors: “You set the tone as the first and last people that attendees see. Rides offer welcome relief throughout the day and help visitors enjoy the full event.”

 

Joyce is a retired engineer and has been flying since 1993. For the 2025 race week, Joyce flew to Roswell in her Cessna Hawk XP and shares her favorable experience to encourage other fly-in visitors.

The New Mexico Pilots Association promotes general aviation, aviation safety, pilot camaraderie, and preservation of airfields and airspace.  Members include private and commercial pilots who fly for recreation, business, or personal transportation.

The Roswell Rotary Club is currently lining up members to help move fans around the National Air Races grounds.

Steve Smith, the club president, reported that openings for members include: Tram driver, tram conductor, tram stop attendant, and handicap shuttle driver.

Last year, Rotary Club members worked 478 hours helping move fans around the National Championship Air Races, Smith said.