If it feels like a while since the United
States Air Force Thunderbirds have soared high above Reno, it’s not just your
imagination. After an absence of almost a decade, this famed precision drill
team is slated to return for a pair of shows during the 56th annual STIHL
National Championship Air Races to the delight of fans of all ages.
Featuring eight pilots and a staggering 130
support personnel, the Las Vegas-based Thunderbirds will take to their F-16
Fighting Falcons to perform impressive formation flying, daring solo routines
and a display of capabilities that push the limits of both plane and pilot at
every turn. Fans hoping to get a glimpse of the Thunderbirds’ signature move,
the four-jet diamond formation, won’t be disappointed. They’ll also be treated
to 40 other crowd-pleasing maneuvers that have made this team a household name.
History of the Thunderbirds
First formed in 1953 as part of the then-nascent United States Air Force, the first Thunderbirds team was originally based at Arizona’s Luke AFB. The team’s inception coincided with the rise of air shows in the States, most notably the National Air Races in Cleveland. By then, post-war America had developed a real taste for high-flying action and patriotic displays, especially as the Korean War was winding down.
In the beginning,
the team flew Republic F-84G Thunderjets, Cold War-era turbojets with in-flight
refueling capabilities and room for a nuclear payload. Although striking to
look at, these aircraft topped out at 600 mph, and therefore fell just shy of
being able to break the sound barrier. The Thunderbirds then traded up to F-84F
Thunderstreaks in 1955. While the naming convention is similar to that of the
F-84G, the Thunderstreak featured swept wings and spoilers for enhanced
performance. It wasn’t long, however, that the team moved to the supersonic
North American F-100C Super Sabre jet, allowing its pilots to rattle the nerves
of glass factory owners everywhere. This upgrade in 1956 also coincided with
the team’s move to Nellis AFB, just northwest of Las Vegas. By 1962, the team settled
into the General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon with the striking red, white
and blue paint scheme for which it’s known today.
By 1997, the team
celebrated its 50th anniversary having performed countless demonstrations for
millions of air show attendees over the years. The striking image of the team’s
diamond formation against a crystal blue sky graced a U.S. postal stamp that
same year. From 2007 to 2009 the Thunderbirds performed air shows in multiple
countries and states during their many tours including Bulgaria, Ireland,
Japan, France, Italy, Thailand, Hawaii, Romania, Poland, Australia and Puerto
Rico. Its most recent performance at Reno was in 2008.
Needless to say, air racing fans and
organizers are excited about the return of an American icon to Reno Stead
Airport.
“They put on a spectacular show, displaying
incredible flying skills and showcasing some of the most advanced fighters of
our time,” said Tony Logoteta, Reno Air Racing Association chief operating
officer. “It’s a thrill to see them in action and a privilege to be able to
recognize the airmen and women who serve our country.”
The
Pilots
This year’s Thunderbirds team represents a
variety of diverse backgrounds including a figure skater, a college baseball
player and a Medford, Oregon, native who is only the second solo female pilot
in the team’s history.
As the commander and leader, Lt. Colonel John
Caldwell oversees the crew while commanding the entire 130-person operation.
Major Will Graeff and Captain Michael Brewer serve as the left and right-wing
pilots. Major Whit Collins, who was the former president of his high school’s
aviation program, serves in the slot pilot position. Going into his second and
her first season with the team, Major Matt Kimmel and Captain Michelle Curran
are lead solo pilot and opposing solo pilot, respectively. All the way from
Saginaw, Michigan, Lt. Colonel Eric Gorney acts as the Operations Officer for
the team, overseeing logistics. Arizona State University graduate Major Jason
Markzon holds the position of Advance Pilot and narrator.
Performances are set for 2:50 p.m. Saturday
and 2:35 p.m. Sunday, with a practice run on Friday afternoon. As always,
schedules are subject to change based on weather and other factors.
These days, it’s getting harder and harder to find events that truly appeal to each member of the family. Events seem to operate at the extremes, appealing either to young children or parents, but rarely meeting in the middle.
Good news: the 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races ticks all the boxes for family fun.
From the STEM Education Discovery Zone to the thrill of the Thunderbirds to STOL air racing and static, hands-on displays, this event literally has something for everyone. In the end, each member of the family will leave the STIHL National Championship Air Races begging to come back next year.
Here’s a quick rundown of what’s on tap for families.
STEM Zone
The Air Races is proud to be home to one of the largest STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Education Discovery Zones in the country. Last year alone, more than 6,000 school-aged children were introduced to the wonder of aviation through this unique, interactive display.
An outdoor netted Drone Zone for drone demonstrations and workshops
Eight drones of different sizes on display and for flight demonstrations
Sixteen flight simulators
Twenty ground robots of different sizes in the Robot tent
3D printing display area
Table-top aviation museum
Robotic arms to demonstrate hydraulics
Aviation and rocket picture booth
Reno Air Races table-top mural
Three PACMAN games in vintage Samsonite briefcases
Five mini Tesla coils to showcase wireless transfer of electricity
Five electronic programmed guitars
These projects are created to inspire children to engage with each of the STEM categories while encouraging them to pursue careers in the aviation industry. Plus, children who participate in the STEM Discovery Zone will earn free access to the races for the remainder of the week.
Air Racing Action
When you’re visiting the air races for the first time, sometimes it’s hard to know whether to look up at the action in the sky or down at the extraordinarily cool displays on the ground. Well, when the pilots take to the sky, your choice becomes easy: look up!
That’s right. The elite Air Force flyers better known as the Thunderbirds are returning to Reno. Founded in 1953 as part of the brand new United States Air Force (which was known as the Army Air Corps until the 1940s), the Thunderbirds are currently based at Nellis Air Force Base in southern Nevada.
This world-class performance team’s reputation precedes it, with the Thunderbirds enjoying fame around the globe as one of the fastest, most precision-based performance teams. Needless to say, a Thunderbirds show is not to be missed. Catch the practice show on Friday or the full shows on Saturday and Sunday.
STOL Drag Racing Demonstrations
New to the Air Races in 2019 is the addition of the STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) Drag Racing demonstrations, a spectacle that has to be seen to be believed. Using modified bush planes, a group of pilots, some of which call themselves the Flying Cowboys, fly low and fast on a designated track, landing once at each end, turning around and racing back to the finish. It’s a little bit like Top Fuel drag racing but, of course, the planes go airborne. The STOL drag racing demonstrations promise to be extremely exciting for all ages.
Military Static Display
A longtime favorite of racing fans of all ages, this event showcases America’s military might and airpower superiority by allowing race fans to walk around a display of dozens of active military aircraft. From F/16s to Black Hawk and Chinook choppers to the always-impressive Nevada Air National Guard C-130, young fans can chat with pilots and (in most cases) explore the inner workings of the military craft. This display is featured every day of the races, but keep in mind that as many of these planes are working military aircraft, the lineup is subject to change at all times.
Get in the Pits!
If you really want to treat the family this year, buy pit passes, which offer full access to the racing pits, pilots and crew members. Kids can get up-close-and-personal with their favorite pilots, even snagging the occasional autograph or selfie with Reno’s top racers. This option offers an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the staging areas of the races while bringing young fans closer to the planes than they could imagine possible.
And seriously, just trust us on this one: you definitely want pit passes. (Note: pit passes do not grant admission. They must be purchased along with general admission or reserved seating tickets).
Tickets are now on sale for the 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races. New this year, reserved seats are the same price as general admission. For information, call (775) 972-6663.
Reno, Nev. (Aug. 22, 2019) –This September 11–15 the high desert north of Reno will be home to hundreds of aircraft, their pilots and crews for the 56th annual STIHL National Championship Air Races.
The event boasts the fastest motorsport in the world with six race classes going head-to-head at speeds often exceeding 500 mph, as well as demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the National Aviation Heritage Invitational featuring some of the country’s premier vintage aircraft.
New this year
are the STOL Drag Racing Demonstrations a combination of heart-pounding
head-to-head racing, major horsepower and a little dirt. STOL (Short Take-Off
and Landing) organizers hope this year’s demonstration becomes a brand-new
racing class next year.
After hours of preparation, certification, practice and dedication to the sport a total of 124 planes and 134 pilots have been signed off to compete in this year’s air races.
Qualifying
begins Sunday, Sept. 8 and racing begins Wednesday, Sept. 11, the planning
schedule can be found at AirRace.org/air-races-planning-schedule/. Tickets are now on sale. For more information,
visit AirRace.org.
###
About the Reno Air Racing Association: The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), a 501(c)(3), holds the National Championship Air Races every September just north of Reno. The Reno Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. Independent economic impact studies have shown that our event generates as much as $91.7 million annually for our local economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian flight demonstrations. For more information on the National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer or purchase tickets for this year’s event, visit www.airrace.org.
National Aviation Day is the perfect time to get your tickets to the 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races on September 11-15. We’re celebrating with a $10 off flash sale on online tickets until midnight!
Use code “ADAY” at checkout to receive $10 off your tickets.
Every day, millions of people fly in and out of airports to get to their destinations. But one day a year – on August 19 – the nation takes the time to honor the people who made aviation possible with National Aviation Day.
National Aviation Day was established in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and is celebrated on the birthday of aviation pioneer, Orville Wright. This day pays tribute to the United States’ rich aviation history and celebrates the many new advancements being made within the industry.
Here’s a list of five ways you can celebrate National Aviation Day.
1. Plan your trip to the 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races
Experience the most unique air racing event in the world featuring special performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the STIHL National Championship Air Races’ first-ever STOL Drag Racing Demonstrations.
2. Go flying
For all of the pilots, the best way to celebrate National Aviation Day is up in the sky. Take a moment while you’re flying through the air to think about all of the aviation pioneers who made this incredible feat possible. Or if you’ve always dreamed of learning to fly, now is a great day to start.
3. Build your own airplane
Let your imagination take flight as you create your own airplane. Whether you use a model airplane kit, build it out of Legos or create a good-old fashioned paper airplane, this is a fun and easy way to celebrate National Aviation Day.
4. Teach a child about aviation
Celebrate the day by inspiring a new generation of aviation enthusiasts. Read a book about the Wright Brothers, learn about astronomy together or do an at-home science experiment. This is a great way to get kids excited about aviation and introduce them to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)-based subjects.
5. Visit a NASA Visitor Center
Take a trip to one of NASA’s 14 Visitor Centers located throughout the country. You’ll learn more about NASA’s missions, the latest aeronautics research and interact with state-of-the-art exhibits. To find a NASA Visitor Center location near you, visit www.visitnasa.com.
Optics manufacturer Method Seven is partnering with the Reno Air Races Association (RARA) as an official sponsor of the event. “The Reno Air Races is the ultimate in aviation performance—the racing, the skill, the danger—and it seemed like the best fit for our product,” says James Cox, Method Seven CEO.
Kevin Eldredge, who will compete in the Sport Class at this year’s event, facilitated the partnership. “The product is fantastic, but the quality and focus on technology is very consistent with the innovation specifically in the Sport Class,” says Eldredge. His race plane, Relentless NXT, is one of the fastest Super Sport racing airplanes, and easily exceeds 400 mph. “The flying is pretty intense but really its much more about competing in an aircraft you built yourself.”
During the 2009 air races, Eldredge came face to face with his own mortality when Relentless NXT suffered a sudden engine explosion. Since then, he has raced with a much less powerful engine, which has not allowed him to be competitive, he says. For this year’s races, Eldredge has restored Relentless NXT to its original race configuration, a EFii-TT-540 Lycoming engine. He estimates that the Sport Class may see four or five aircraft clock over 400mph. “It is my intention to be leading this group on Sunday!”
Method Seven supports his vision as a sponsor of Team Relentless, and with protective eyewear specifically designed for aviation. The leading brand of UV and infrared heat blocking sunglasses offers three levels of visible light transmission (VLT) suited to pilot preference and flight path. Eldredge prefers Method Seven Ascent SKY30 lenses, the lightest VLT. “They provide great protection for both flying and driving and they really sort of disappear on my face,” he says.
Ever since stumbling upon Method Seven at Osh Kosh three years ago, Eldredge has been an informal advocate for the brand. This year, he will fly with Method Seven logos on the newly outfitted Relentless NXT, and his sight set on a winning finish. Cox says he is thrilled that the company is now an official sponsor. “Method Seven has always been about helping people achieve their best.”
