Meet with some of the featured aviation legends at the
STIHL National Championship Air Races Sept. 11-15, 2019
RENO, Nev. (Aug. 5, 2019) —The National Aviation Heritage Invitational (NAHI) is thrilled to return to the STIHL National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev. this September. Come see skillfully restored vintage aircraft on the ramp as they compete for the grand champion Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy and meet some of aviation’s legends in person.
In addition to featuring incredible vintage aircraft NAHI
will continue its mission to keep aviation history alive with the release of limited-edition
prints created by noted aviation artist, Joe Jones, honoring National Aviation
Hall of Fame Enshrinees at this year’s event. The prints include: Neil A.
Armstrong, Patty Wagstaff, Dick Rutan, Robert “Hoot” Gibson, Bud Anderson, Gene
Cernan and R.A. “Bob” Hoover.
Three of those legendary names will be in Reno in the NAHI tent
at the races including Bud Anderson, Dick Rutan and Robert “Hoot” Gibson.
A preview of one of the prints was released today. As this
year marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, NAHI is giving a
sneak peak of Neil Armstrong’s limited-edition print.
“The National Aviation Heritage Invitational is providing a
preview of our new limited-edition print honoring Neil Armstrong’s aviation,
space and educational career,” said Ken Perich Executive Director of NAHI. “This
beautiful print highlights not only Neil’s space accomplishments but his
extensive flight experience as well. This print will be formally unveiled at
the National Championship Air Races on Thursday, Sept. 12.”
Prints will be available for sale at the static NAHI display
area located at the east end of the grandstands. For more information visit, HeritageTrophy.org
or AirRace.org.
RENO, Nev. (July 16, 2019) —As if
featuring the world’s fastest motorsport wasn’t enough the 2019 STIHL National
Championship Air Races will feature a jam-packed performance schedule filled
with new additions and some returning event staples.
The core of the event is the six racing
classes – Unlimited, Jet, Sport, T-6, Formula One and Biplane – competing
head-to-head at speeds exceeding 500 mph. With some incredible racing planned,
event veterans will also see the return of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational
and GRADD-NVBAA STEM Education
Discovery Zone.
The performance lineup has
been finalized:
STOL Drag Racing Demonstration – September 12–15 The world’s largest backcountry fly-in is making its way to Reno. The STOL Drag Racing Demonstration gives a new spin to traditional competition top fuel drag racing style. STOL stands for short take-off and landing. The rules are simple, pilots fly a 3/4 mile straightaway down and back side by side, land on a marker and must come to a complete stop prior to turning around. The first pilot that comes to a complete stop wins.
F-18 Legacy Flight – September 12–15 F-18 Legacy Flight will be performed by the VFA-122 Demonstration Team with two FA-18E/F Super Hornet aircrafts. The Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122) also known as the “Flying Eagles” are a United States Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F/A-18 Hornet Fleet Replacement Squadron. The F-18 will be joined by a historical Navy aircraft.
Michael Wiskus and the Lucas Oil Airshow – September 12–15 See world-class aerobatics with Michael Wiskus in the Lucas Oil Airshows Pitts Biplane as he performs double hammerhead rolls to slowing the airplane down to zero airspeed. Michael has owned the Lucas Oil Pitts S-1-11B since 2000 and, with the help of Tom Kerns, rebuilt it after purchasing it on Ebay as a wreck. The Lucas Oil Pitts has been extremely modified from its original build, adding full span ailerons for a 400º per second roll rate, 60% larger rudder and elevator for more authority, and a longer gear allowing Michael to stand the aircraft up in place without hitting the propeller.
Commemorative Air Force – September 12-15 Watch an aerial demonstration of World War II aircraft including a F8F Bearcat, a F6F Hellcat, a PBJ Mitchell, and a A6M by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). The mission of CAF is to restore and preserve aircraft in flying condition from World War II and other military conflicts for the education and enjoyment of Americans. CAF is now one of the largest air forces in the world with 13,000 members and a fleet of more than 175 aircraft.
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds – September 14 & 15 The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are an official air demonstration squadron proudly serving our country and providing air shows across the world. The American Airmen have an hour-long demonstration showcasing excellence and celebrating American patriotism. Attendees on Friday, Sept. 13 will also be treated to their practice show. The U.S. Airforce Thunderbirds started in 1953 at the Luke Air Force Base located outside of Phoenix, AZ and are now currently located at Nellis Airforce Base outside of Las Vegas, NV.
The 2019 STIHL National Championship Air
Races returns Sept. 11–15, 2019, just 20 minutes north of Reno. Tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit AirRace.org.
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About the STIHL National Championship Air Races: The STIHL National Championship Air Races are held every September just north of Reno by the Reno Air Racing Association, a 501(c)(3). The event has become an institution for Northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world with six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian flight demonstrations. Independent economic impact studies show that the event generates as much as $91.7 million annually for the local economy. The event is now part of the Grunt Style Air Show Majors, a six-stop tour uniting the most prestigious air shows in the country. For more information on the 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials, volunteer, be a vendor or purchase tickets for this year’s event, visit AirRace.org.
This year’s demonstration
may lead to first new racing class in more than 20 years
RENO, Nev. (July 16, 2019) —Combine heart pounding head-to-head racing with major horsepower and a little dirt and you’ve got the STOL Drag Racing Demonstration. Set to make its debut at the STIHL National Championship Air Races Sept. 11-15 in Reno, Nev., organizers hope this year’s demonstration becomes a brand-new racing class in the future.
“It’s like car
drag racing meets aviation and it’s going to bring a whole new energy to the races
in September,” said Kevin Quinn, president and founder of STOL Drag.
Quinn is no
stranger to this type of racing. Quinn has been hosting a fly-in event in the
Nevada desert called the High Sierra Fly In since 2008. Since its conception,
the High Sierra Fly In has garnered a dedicated following with nearly 450 airplanes
and 2,000 spectators participating last year, catching the attention of the
Reno Air Racing Association.
“This is an
exciting new idea, something that we’ve never seen before, and we knew we had
to find a way to get it to the races,” said Fred Telling, chief executive
officer of the Reno Air Racing Association.
The STOL group
attended the annual Pylon Racing Seminar, a required safety training, in June of
this year and received FAA sign-off for a demonstration at the 2019 STIHL
National Championship Air Races.
“We see this as
a huge opportunity for STOL Drag Racing,” said Quinn. “We’ve got two planes
racing head-to-head, 20 feet off the ground, doing 100 mph, 50 feet apart – it’s
going to blow everyone’s minds. We really hope it will continue to grow and we
can compete as our own class in the future.”
The STOL (short
take-off and landing) Drag Racing Demonstration rules are simple. Racers take
off down the 2,000-foot course, accelerating enough but not too much in order
to land at the line at the designated halfway point, come to a complete stop,
pivot 180 degrees and take off again towards the original start line.
The clock starts as soon as the wheels start spinning and ends when the plane is at a full stop. If a plane lands short of the halfway line or the finish line, there is a two second penalty – total of four possible. If the plane does not come to a complete stop on heading at the designated halfway or the finish line they will be disqualified and if a plane slips into a competitor’s lane they are instantly disqualified.
If all goes
well this September, the Reno Air Racing Association may be announcing the
first new racing class at the National Championship Air Races in more than 20
years.
The 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races returns Sept. 11–15, 2019, just 20 minutes north of downtown Reno. Attendees can witness the fastest motorsport in the world as six racing classes go head-to-head plus demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the National Aviation Heritage Invitational. Tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit AirRace.org.
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About the STIHL
National Championship Air Races: The
STIHL National Championship Air Races are held every September just north of
Reno by the Reno Air Racing Association, a 501(c)(3). The event has become an
institution for Northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world
with six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several
military and civilian flight demonstrations. Independent economic impact
studies show that the event generates as much as $91.7 million annually for the
local economy. The event is now part of the Grunt Style Air Show Majors, a six-stop tour
uniting the most prestigious air shows in the country. For more information on
the 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races, to obtain media credentials,
volunteer, be a vendor or purchase tickets for this year’s event, visit AirRace.org.
It takes a lot of dedication, hours and sweat to bring
something almost 50 years old back to life. Take an aircraft from days gone
by-perhaps a military fighter, a large transport, a classic or antique, even a
medi-vac helicopter sitting in a barn or hangar.
Left to Right: Chief Judge, Colin Powers, Taigh Ramey, Bernard Poppert, Rocky Weihrauch, Rick Allredge
Someone comes along and wants to revitalize it, study its
history, whether it’s destined for static display or to take to the skies.
This is where the National Aviation Heritage Invitational
(NAHI) comes in.
This prestigious competition features aircraft that are in
original flying condition on static display on the ramp at the National
Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev.
Established in 1998, the annual competition encourages the
preservation of aviation history through the restoration and are judged by the
strict standards set forth by representatives from the Smithsonian National Air
and Space Museum Restoration team. From the outset, the NAHI team set the
restoration bar extremely high.
Taigh Ramey takes a look at this 1937 Stinson Reliant
Awards are given in seven specific categories, Military,
Classic, Contemporary, Antique and Large aircraft. The overall Grand Champion
is awarded the Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy. When not at the competition the trophy resides
at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum-Steven F. Udar Hazy Center in
Virginia. The general public votes for their favorite in the People’s Choice
category.
“We bring together some of the finest examples of
restored vintage aircraft in North America to compete for the Grand Champion
Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy,” stated co-founder and
Executive Director, Ken Perich.
One such
owner/restorer is David Bole of Buckley, WA. Bole, an aircraft maintenance
inspector for Alaska Airlines is bringing his beautiful 1943 Howard DGA- 15P to
Reno this year where it will sit with many other historical flying treasures.
Bole purchased the plane in August, 2011. “It was a ‘flying’ restoration when I
got it,” he said. From then on, he
worked diligently to complete the restoration. “It took about two years to
get it in presentable condition.”
Bole looks forward to bringing his plane to NAHI once again.
“Always a lot of fun and great seeing everyone. “I enjoy talking with
the other participants and educating the public about my plane’s history.”
Chief Judge Colin Powers is no stranger to NAHI. He and his
wife June won the 2003 Best Military aircraft in Reno with their 1943 Piper
L-4H and then Grand Champion in 2005 at Dayton, Ohio. He explains, in order to
be invited to the Invitational, applicants must initially meet certain
criteria. “The aircraft must be 45 years or older and provide
documentation and photos for the judging team to examine,” said Powers.
The judges look to see how original it is to when it came
out of the factory or how it was 45 years ago. “The event has something for
everyone interested in aviation and history,” said Powers. “People love to see these aircraft as
they were in the past- They like to hear the stories behind them and it’s a
tribute to the restorers who invest their time and money to bring these
wonderful aircraft for the public to admire.”
NAHI is still accepting applications. Please visit www.heritagetrophy.org for more information.
The annual “Rookie School” for the STIHL
National Championship Air Races was held June 5-8
RENO,
Nev.
(June 17, 2019) —Training, preparation, practice and
certification are all essential components in pilots participating in the 2019
STIHL National Championship Air Races. Each year the Pylon Racing Seminar
(PRS), the only one of its kind, is held to help the pilots do just that.
“We have a
one-of-a-kind event and that takes one-of-a-kind training to ensure we are
putting on the best race possible in the safest manner possible,” said Fred
Telling, chairman and chief executive officer of the Reno Air Racing
Association.
PRS is required
for rookies and open to certified racers to hone their skills. If a certified
racer has not participated in PRS or the races in the last three years they are
required to re-certify to be able to race again. The seminar consists of four
days of intensive classroom instruction from experienced race pilots as well as
extensive practice on the course.
“We are
assembling the most experienced, skilled, trained and race-certified pilots to
compete at the races in September,” said Telling. “Each class organization has
its own set of rules, training and certification. At the end of every day all Classes
and RARA discuss what can be done better to ensure every pilot is race ready.”
This year’s PRS
class was the largest and most diverse the organization has ever had, with 129
attendees, 52 students (13 international students), 25 certified racers, 31
instructors and 13 officials with a total of 75 aircraft at Reno Stead Airport.
“We are seeing
a resurgence in pilot interest,” said Telling. “This year’s class was
impressive; we look forward to some great races this September.”
The 2019 STIHL National Championship Air Races returns Sept. 11–15, 2019, just 20 minutes north of downtown Reno. Attendees can witness the fastest motorsport in the world as six racing classes go head-to-head plus demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the National Aviation Heritage Invitational. Tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit AirRace.org.
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AbouttheSTIHLNationalChampionshipAirRaces The STIHL National
Championship Air Races
are held every
September just north
of Reno by
the Reno Air
Racing Association, a
501(c)(3). The event
has become an
institution for Northern
Nevada and aviation
enthusiasts from around
the world with
six racing classes,
a large display
of static aircraft
and several military
and civilian flight
demonstrations. Independent economic
impact studies have
shown that the
event generates as
much as $91.7 million annually
for the local
economy. For more
information on the
2019 STIHL National Championship Air
Races, to obtain
media credentials, volunteer,
be a vendor
or purchase tickets
for this year’s event,
visit www.airrace.org.
